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When to Plant Borage in Colleton County, SC

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.

Colleton County, South Carolina is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 10 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 248 days.

At an elevation of 265 feet, Colleton County receives approximately 58.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Borage may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Borage will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Borage root diseases.

Colleton County, SC (Zone 8a) Long season
248 days
Last Spring Frost March 10
248 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Colleton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (160 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Feb 14 🍅 Harvest: Apr 11 – May 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (150 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 3 Transplant: Mar 3 🍅 Harvest: Apr 28 – Jun 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (152 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jul 14

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Borage needs ~1,210 GDD — county provides 5,456 GDD Excellent fit

Borage Planting Timeline โ€” Colleton County, SC

Borage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 3 Feb 3 โ€“ Feb 17
Transplant Outdoors March 3 Mar 3 โ€“ Mar 17
Direct Sow February 24 Feb 24 โ€“ Mar 17
Fall Sowing September 4 Sep 4 โ€“ Sep 18
Harvest April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ Jun 16

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 Harvest
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

248 days

Growing Tips for Colleton 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 Colleton County, SC?

Colleton County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 10. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Colleton County, SC?

Colleton County, South Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 10 and first fall frost is November 13.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Colleton County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Colleton County, SC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.