Blog

When to Plant Borage in Grayson 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.

Grayson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 249 days.

At an elevation of 248 feet, Grayson County receives approximately 71.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Borage during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Borage root diseases.

Grayson County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
249 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
249 growing days
First Fall Frost November 18

Grayson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (151 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Feb 27 🍅 Harvest: Apr 24 – Jun 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (151 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: May 2 – Jun 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jul 20

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.

Soil Compatibility in Grayson County

How your county's soil matches Borage's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6โ€“7.3) overlaps with Borage's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Grayson County is excellent for Borage โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). Annual compost additions will help Borage.

How to Plant Borage

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Borage

5
successive plantings in your 249-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 19 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 09.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Borage needs ~880 GDD — county provides 3,984 GDD Excellent fit

Borage Planting Timeline โ€” Grayson County, TX

Borage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 7 Feb 7 โ€“ Feb 21
Transplant Outdoors March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 21
Direct Sow February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 21
Fall Sowing September 9 Sep 9 โ€“ Sep 23
Harvest May 2 May 2 โ€“ Jun 20

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 โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

249 days in Grayson County

Growing Tips for Borage in Grayson County

Direct sow Borage outdoors after March 14 in Grayson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With 71" of annual rainfall in Grayson County, ensure good drainage for Borage โ€” excess moisture can promote root rot and fungal diseases.

General growing tips

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 Grayson County, TX?

Grayson County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grayson County, TX?

Grayson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Grayson County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Grayson County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.