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When to Plant Borage in Bartow 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.

Bartow County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 218 days.

At an elevation of 444 feet, Bartow County receives approximately 51.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, 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.

Bartow County, GA (Zone 7b) Long season
218 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
218 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Bartow County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: May 10 – Jun 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jul 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 24

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Borage needs ~962 GDD — county provides 3,815 GDD Excellent fit

Borage Planting Timeline โ€” Bartow County, GA

Borage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 21 Feb 21 โ€“ Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 4
Direct Sow March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Apr 4
Fall Sowing August 23 Aug 23 โ€“ Sep 6
Harvest May 16 May 16 โ€“ Jul 4

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
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

218 days

Growing Tips for Bartow 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 Bartow County, GA?

Bartow County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bartow County, GA?

Bartow County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 1.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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