When to Plant Borage in USDA Zone 9a
This month in Zone 9a
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Zone 9a this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
-
Basket week: borage
Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.
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.
In Zone 9a, the average last spring frost is around February 10 and the first fall frost is around December 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 303 days.
Borage Planting Timeline — Zone 9a
Where Is USDA Zone 9a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 9a. Click any state to see the Borage planting schedule for that location.
Borage Planting Calendar — Zone 9a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 13 | Jan 13 – Jan 27 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 3 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 |
| Direct Sow | January 20 | Jan 20 – Feb 10 |
| Harvest | March 31 | Mar 31 – May 19 |
| Fall Sowing | October 15 | Oct 15 – Oct 29 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| February | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| March | Harvest |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | Fall Sowing |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 9a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 9a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Low — drought tolerant
Days to Maturity
50–60 days
Soil pH
6 – 7
Zone Temperature Range
20°F to 25°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
303 days (Zone 9a average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 0.5 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 8 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 12 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Borage in Zone 9a
Sow every 5.7 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Borage in Zone 9a
Zone 9a offers a long growing season (~303 days). You can plant Borage earlier and may get multiple harvests.
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
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
- Full seed-starting + planting schedule with timing and spacing
- Bonus: square-foot gardening guide + printable seasonal planners
Saving Borage Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Reduce heat stress and sun scorch in hot climates with UV-stabilized shade cloth.
Breathable fabric pots that promote healthy root growth and prevent overwatering.
Built-in reservoir keeps herbs and greens consistently watered with less effort.
Related Plants
Borage in Other Zones
Borage by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Borage in Zone 9a?
In Zone 9a, plan your Borage planting around the average last frost date of February 10. Start seeds indoors around January 13. Direct sow outdoors around January 20. Transplant seedlings around February 3.
Can Borage grow in Zone 9a?
Yes, Borage can grow well in Zone 9a, hardy in USDA zones 3a through 11b. Zone 9a has a growing season of approximately 303 days, which is sufficient for Borage (50-60 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Borage in Zone 9a?
In Zone 9a, expect to harvest Borage from March 31 – May 19. Borage takes 50-60 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 9a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 9a is around February 10, and the first fall frost is around December 10. This gives a growing season of approximately 303 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Borage?
Good companion plants for Borage include Tomatoes, Squash Summer, Strawberries. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Zone 9a Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner tailored to Zone 9a. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.