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When to Plant Borage in Greeley County, KS

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.

Greeley County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 163 days.

At an elevation of 963 feet, Greeley County receives approximately 21.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Borage during the growing season.

Greeley County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
163 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
163 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Greeley County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 19

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 185 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Borage needs ~839 GDD — county provides 2,485 GDD Excellent fit

Borage Planting Timeline โ€” Greeley County, KS

Borage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 9
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ May 7
Fall Sowing August 1 Aug 1 โ€“ Aug 15
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 โ€“ Aug 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

163 days

Growing Tips for Greeley 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 Greeley County, KS?

Greeley County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Greeley County, KS?

Greeley County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 10.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Greeley County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Greeley County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.