Blog

When to Plant Borage in Baldwin County, GA

Borage is a self-seeding annual herb with star-shaped blue flowers that attract pollinators. Its leaves have a cucumber-like flavor and the flowers are edible.

Baldwin County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 230 days.

At an elevation of 421 feet, Baldwin County receives approximately 59 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Borage during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Borage, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Borage root diseases.

Baldwin County, GA (Zone 7b) Long season
230 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
230 growing days
First Fall Frost November 8

Baldwin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – Jun 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jun 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 17

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Borage needs ~1,004 GDD — county provides 4,197 GDD Excellent fit

Borage Planting Timeline โ€” Baldwin County, GA

Borage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Mar 30
Direct Sow March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 30
Fall Sowing August 30 Aug 30 โ€“ Sep 13
Harvest May 11 May 11 โ€“ Jun 29

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

50โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

230 days

Growing Tips for Baldwin County

Direct sow in spring as borage does not transplant well. Allow some plants to go to seed for next year. Young leaves are best; older leaves become bristly.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Borage in Baldwin County, GA?

Baldwin County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Baldwin County, GA?

Baldwin County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 8.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Baldwin County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Baldwin County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.