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When to Plant Borage in Lawrence County, MO

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.

Lawrence County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 1,094 feet, Lawrence County receives approximately 38.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Borage during the growing season.

Lawrence County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Lawrence County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jul 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 28

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Borage needs ~756 GDD — county provides 2,736 GDD Excellent fit

Borage Planting Timeline โ€” Lawrence County, MO

Borage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 16
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 โ€“ Aug 30
Harvest May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jul 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
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 6a

Growing Season

199 days

Growing Tips for Lawrence 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 Lawrence County, MO?

Lawrence County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lawrence County, MO?

Lawrence County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 25.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lawrence County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Lawrence County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.