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When to Plant Borage in Ozark 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.

Ozark County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 1,321 feet, Ozark County receives approximately 31.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Borage during the growing season.

Ozark County, MO (Zone 6b) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Ozark County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 29

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
0.7″/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 ~962 GDD — county provides 3,500 GDD Excellent fit

Borage Planting Timeline โ€” Ozark 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 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31
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 6b

Growing Season

200 days

Growing Tips for Ozark 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 Ozark County, MO?

Ozark County is in Zone 6b 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 Ozark County, MO?

Ozark County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 26.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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