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When to Plant Borage in Pickens 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.

Pickens County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 214 days.

At an elevation of 365 feet, Pickens County receives approximately 57 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.

Pickens County, GA (Zone 7a) Long season
214 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
214 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Pickens County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (115 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jun 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 7

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 ~962 GDD — county provides 3,745 GDD Excellent fit

Borage Planting Timeline โ€” Pickens County, GA

Borage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 25 Feb 25 โ€“ Mar 11
Transplant Outdoors March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 8
Direct Sow March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 8
Fall Sowing August 23 Aug 23 โ€“ Sep 6
Harvest May 20 May 20 โ€“ Jul 8

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 7a

Growing Season

214 days

Growing Tips for Pickens 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 Pickens County, GA?

Pickens County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pickens County, GA?

Pickens County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 1 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 Pickens County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Pickens County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.