Blog

When to Plant Borage in Copiah 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.

Copiah County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 243 days.

At an elevation of 335 feet, Copiah County receives approximately 60.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, 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.

Copiah County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
243 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
243 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Copiah County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (143 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: Apr 25 – Jun 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (145 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: May 2 – Jun 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Borage needs ~1,045 GDD — county provides 4,617 GDD Excellent fit

Borage Planting Timeline โ€” Copiah County, MS

Borage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 7 Feb 7 โ€“ Feb 21
Transplant Outdoors March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 21
Direct Sow February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 21
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17
Harvest May 2 May 2 โ€“ Jun 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
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 8a

Growing Season

243 days

Growing Tips for Copiah 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 Copiah County, MS?

Copiah County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Copiah County, MS?

Copiah County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Copiah County gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Copiah County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.