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When to Plant Borage in East Feliciana Parish, LA

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.

East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 17 and the first fall frost is December 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 288 days.

At an elevation of 75 feet, East Feliciana Parish receives approximately 55.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Borage may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Borage will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Borage root diseases.

East Feliciana Parish, LA (Zone 8b) Year-round
288 days
Last Spring Frost February 17
288 growing days
First Fall Frost December 2

East Feliciana Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (186 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 7 Transplant: Feb 4 🍅 Harvest: Apr 1 – May 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (190 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 13 Transplant: Feb 10 🍅 Harvest: Apr 7 – May 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (186 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: Apr 29 – Jun 17

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 ~1,210 GDD — county provides 6,358 GDD Excellent fit

Borage Planting Timeline โ€” East Feliciana Parish, LA

Borage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 13 Jan 13 โ€“ Jan 27
Transplant Outdoors February 10 Feb 10 โ€“ Feb 24
Direct Sow February 3 Feb 3 โ€“ Feb 24
Fall Sowing September 23 Sep 23 โ€“ Oct 7
Harvest April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ May 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March โ€”
April Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October Fall Sowing
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 8b

Growing Season

288 days

Growing Tips for East Feliciana Parish

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 East Feliciana Parish, LA?

East Feliciana Parish is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 17. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is East Feliciana Parish, LA?

East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 17 and first fall frost is December 2.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help East Feliciana Parish gardeners in Zone 8b 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 East Feliciana Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.