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When to Plant Borage in Becker County, MN

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.

Becker County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 133 days.

At an elevation of 729 feet, Becker County receives approximately 35.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 78ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Borage to ensure they mature before fall.

Becker County, MN (Zone 3b) Short season
133 days
Last Spring Frost May 15
133 growing days
First Fall Frost September 25

Becker County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 15 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 2

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Borage needs ~468 GDD — county provides 1,130 GDD Excellent fit

Borage Planting Timeline โ€” Becker County, MN

Borage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 17
Transplant Outdoors May 8 May 8 โ€“ May 22
Direct Sow May 8 May 8 โ€“ May 29
Fall Sowing July 3 Jul 3 โ€“ Jul 17
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 โ€“ Aug 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August 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 3b

Growing Season

133 days

Growing Tips for Becker 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 Becker County, MN?

Becker County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Becker County, MN?

Becker County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 25.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Becker County gardeners in Zone 3b 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 Becker County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.