When to Plant Borage in Hillsborough County, FL
What to do in May
Welcome to May in Zone 10a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Basket week: borage
This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.
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.
Hillsborough County, Florida is in USDA Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 25 and the first fall frost is December 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 329 days.
At an elevation of 63 feet, Hillsborough County receives approximately 54.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 98°F, so Borage may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Borage will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Borage root diseases.
Hillsborough County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Sand
Soil pH
4.9-5.9
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Hillsborough County
How your county's soil matches Borage's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (4.9–5.9) is more acidic than Borage prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
Sandy soil in Hillsborough County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Borage will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Borage.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is low (1.5%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Borage.
How to Plant Borage
Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Borage
Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 21 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 25.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Borage
Borage needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Borage Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2.2" | 2.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Feb | 2.2" | 2.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Mar | 2.2" | 2.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 2.2" | 2.1" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 2.2" | 3.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 8.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 7.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 4.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 2.2" | 2" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | 2.2" | 2.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Jan–Dec in Hillsborough County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Borage Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Borage Planting Timeline — Hillsborough County, FL
Borage Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | December 28 | Dec 28 – Jan 11 |
| Transplant Outdoors | January 18 | Jan 18 – Feb 1 |
| Direct Sow | January 4 | Jan 4 – Jan 25 |
| Harvest | March 15 | Mar 15 – May 3 |
| Fall Sowing | October 25 | Oct 25 – Nov 8 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| February | Transplant Outdoors |
| March | Harvest |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | Fall Sowing |
| November | Fall Sowing |
| December | Start Indoors |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
50–60 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 10a
📆 Growing Season
329 days in Hillsborough County
Growing Tips for Borage in Hillsborough County
Direct sow Borage outdoors after January 25 in Hillsborough County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Sandy soil in Hillsborough County dries quickly — mulch Borage with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.
With summer highs reaching 98°F in Hillsborough County, provide afternoon shade for Borage and water deeply in the morning.
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Borage in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Borage in Hillsborough County, FL?
Hillsborough County is in Zone 10a with an average last frost of January 25. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Hillsborough County, FL?
Hillsborough County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 25 and first fall frost is December 20.
Your Hillsborough County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Hillsborough County (Zone 10a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.