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When to Plant Borage in Pontotoc 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.

Pontotoc County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 221 days.

At an elevation of 226 feet, Pontotoc County receives approximately 49.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, 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.

Pontotoc County, MS (Zone 7b) Long season
221 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
221 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Pontotoc County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jun 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (123 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 22

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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Borage needs ~1,086 GDD — county provides 4,364 GDD Excellent fit

Borage Planting Timeline โ€” Pontotoc County, MS

Borage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 5
Transplant Outdoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Direct Sow March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Apr 2
Fall Sowing August 24 Aug 24 โ€“ Sep 7
Harvest May 14 May 14 โ€“ Jul 2

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 Pontotoc 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 Pontotoc County, MS?

Pontotoc County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pontotoc County, MS?

Pontotoc County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 2.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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