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When to Plant Borage in Calhoun County, MS

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.

Calhoun County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 218 days.

At an elevation of 470 feet, Calhoun County receives approximately 57.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Borage during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Borage, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Borage root diseases.

Calhoun County, MS (Zone 7b) Long season
218 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
218 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Calhoun County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (127 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: May 4 – Jun 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (123 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 23

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
Borage needs ~962 GDD — county provides 3,815 GDD Excellent fit

Borage Planting Timeline โ€” Calhoun County, MS

Borage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 3
Direct Sow March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Apr 3
Fall Sowing August 22 Aug 22 โ€“ Sep 5
Harvest May 15 May 15 โ€“ Jul 3

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

218 days

Growing Tips for Calhoun 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 Calhoun County, MS?

Calhoun County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Calhoun County, MS?

Calhoun County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is October 31.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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