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When to Plant Borage in Charlotte County, VA

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.

Charlotte County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 407 feet, Charlotte County receives approximately 44.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Borage during the growing season.

Charlotte County, VA (Zone 7a) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Charlotte County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Borage

Borage needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Borage Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 3.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 3.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 3.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.3" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 3.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Charlotte County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Borage Planting Timeline โ€” Charlotte County, VA

Borage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Mar 28
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ Apr 25
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Jul 25
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

187 days in Charlotte County

Growing Tips for Charlotte 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Borage in Charlotte County, VA?

Charlotte County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Charlotte County, VA?

Charlotte County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Charlotte County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Charlotte County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.