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When to Plant Borage in Burke 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.

Burke County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 231 days.

At an elevation of 370 feet, Burke County receives approximately 59.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, so Borage may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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.

Burke County, GA (Zone 8a) Long season
231 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
231 growing days
First Fall Frost November 8

Burke County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Mar 10 🍅 Harvest: May 5 – Jun 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (133 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: May 10 – Jun 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 16

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 ~1,251 GDD — county provides 5,255 GDD Excellent fit

Borage Planting Timeline โ€” Burke County, GA

Borage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 15 Feb 15 โ€“ Mar 1
Transplant Outdoors March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Mar 29
Direct Sow March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 29
Fall Sowing August 30 Aug 30 โ€“ Sep 13
Harvest May 10 May 10 โ€“ Jun 28

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 8a

Growing Season

231 days

Growing Tips for Burke 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 Burke County, GA?

Burke County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Burke County, GA?

Burke County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 8.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Burke County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Burke County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.