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When to Plant Borage in Meade County, KY

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.

Meade County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 216 days.

At an elevation of 2,934 feet, Meade County receives approximately 45.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Borage during the growing season.

Meade County, KY (Zone 6b) Long season
216 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
216 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Meade County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (124 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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Borage needs ~798 GDD — county provides 3,132 GDD Excellent fit

Borage Planting Timeline โ€” Meade County, KY

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 25 Aug 25 โ€“ Sep 8
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 6b

Growing Season

216 days

Growing Tips for Meade 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 Meade County, KY?

Meade County is in Zone 6b 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 Meade County, KY?

Meade County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is November 3.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Meade County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Meade County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.