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When to Plant Borage in Talbot County, MD

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.

Talbot County, Maryland is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is November 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 221 days.

At an elevation of 722 feet, Talbot County receives approximately 38.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Borage during the growing season.

Talbot County, MD (Zone 7b) Long season
221 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
221 growing days
First Fall Frost November 8

Talbot County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (123 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (123 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (130 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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Borage needs ~880 GDD — county provides 3,536 GDD Excellent fit

Borage Planting Timeline โ€” Talbot County, MD

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 30 Aug 30 โ€“ Sep 13
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 7b

Growing Season

221 days

Growing Tips for Talbot 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 Talbot County, MD?

Talbot County is in Zone 7b 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 Talbot County, MD?

Talbot County, Maryland is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is November 8.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Talbot County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Talbot County, MD. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.