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When to plant Borage in Stanton County, KS

Borage planted in Stanton County between April 12 and May 3 matures in 60 days — well before the October 14 first frost. A second sowing from August 5 to August 19 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Borage in Stanton County, KS

Stanton County, Kansas Zone 6b June

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Avg. last frost April 26
Avg. first frost October 14
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for borage

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

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  • First harvests: borage

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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.

Stanton County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 865 feet, Stanton County receives approximately 27.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Borage during the growing season.

Stanton County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14

Stanton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Borage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 18

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 Stanton County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.3) overlaps with Borage's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Stanton County is excellent for Borage — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Borage will thrive.

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

4
successive plantings in your 171-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 15 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 05.

Borage Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 1.8" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.2" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Stanton 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 needs ~798 GDD — county provides 2,479 GDD Excellent fit

Borage Planting Timeline — Stanton County, KS

Borage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 22 Mar 22 – Apr 5
Transplant Outdoors April 19 Apr 19 – May 3
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 – May 3
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 – Aug 2
Fall Sowing August 5 Aug 5 – Aug 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

171 days in Stanton County

Growing Tips for Borage in Stanton County

Direct sow Borage outdoors after April 26 in Stanton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Borage in Stanton County, KS?

Stanton County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stanton County, KS?

Stanton County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 14.

When should I plant Borage in Stanton County, KS?

In Stanton County, KS, plant Borage after the last frost (around April 26) and before the first frost (around October 14). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Stanton County, KS for Borage?

Stanton County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Borage grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Borage grow in Stanton County's climate?

Yes — Borage grows well in Stanton County's temperate climate. Stanton County averages a 171-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 26 and first frost around October 14.

🌱

Your Stanton County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Stanton County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Stanton County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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