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When to Plant Borage in Spencer 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.

Spencer County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 204 days.

At an elevation of 2,819 feet, Spencer County receives approximately 40.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Borage during the growing season.

Spencer County, KY (Zone 6b) Long season
204 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
204 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Spencer County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jul 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 31

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Borage needs ~798 GDD — county provides 2,958 GDD Excellent fit

Borage Planting Timeline โ€” Spencer County, KY

Borage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 18
Transplant Outdoors April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 15
Direct Sow March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 15
Fall Sowing August 20 Aug 20 โ€“ Sep 3
Harvest May 27 May 27 โ€“ Jul 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors 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

204 days

Growing Tips for Spencer 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 Spencer County, KY?

Spencer County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Spencer County, KY?

Spencer County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 29.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Spencer 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 Spencer County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.