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When to Plant Borage in Duval County, TX

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.

Duval County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and the first fall frost is December 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 299 days.

At an elevation of 4,259 feet, Duval County receives approximately 55.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 102ยฐF, so Borage may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Borage root diseases.

Duval County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
299 days
Last Spring Frost February 13
299 growing days
First Fall Frost December 9

Duval County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (216 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 23 Transplant: Jan 13 🍅 Harvest: Mar 10 – Apr 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (201 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 16 Transplant: Feb 6 🍅 Harvest: Apr 3 – May 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (189 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Mar 1 🍅 Harvest: Apr 26 – Jun 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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Borage needs ~1,458 GDD — county provides 7,950 GDD Excellent fit

Borage Planting Timeline โ€” Duval County, TX

Borage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 16 Jan 16 โ€“ Jan 30
Transplant Outdoors February 6 Feb 6 โ€“ Feb 20
Direct Sow January 23 Jan 23 โ€“ Feb 13
Fall Sowing October 14 Oct 14 โ€“ Oct 28
Harvest April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ May 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March โ€”
April Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
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 9a

Growing Season

299 days

Growing Tips for Duval 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 Duval County, TX?

Duval County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 13. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Duval County, TX?

Duval County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and first fall frost is December 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Duval County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Duval County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.