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When to Plant Borage in Kimble 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.

Kimble County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 227 days.

At an elevation of 4,850 feet, Kimble County receives approximately 57.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, 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.

Kimble County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
227 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
227 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Kimble County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 1 – Jun 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jul 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 24

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 Kimble County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4โ€“7.6) overlaps with Borage's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Borage.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). 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 227-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 11 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 01.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Borage needs ~1,251 GDD — county provides 5,164 GDD Excellent fit

Borage Planting Timeline โ€” Kimble County, TX

Borage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 21 Feb 21 โ€“ Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 4
Direct Sow March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Apr 4
Fall Sowing September 1 Sep 1 โ€“ Sep 15
Harvest May 16 May 16 โ€“ Jul 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
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 8a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

227 days in Kimble County

Growing Tips for Borage in Kimble County

Direct sow Borage outdoors after March 28 in Kimble County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 97ยฐF in Kimble County, provide afternoon shade for Borage and water deeply in the morning.

With 57" of annual rainfall in Kimble 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 Kimble County, TX?

Kimble County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kimble County, TX?

Kimble County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kimble 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 Kimble County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.