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When to plant Borage in Fleming County County,

The best window to plant Borage in Fleming County County, is April 2–April 23, when soil warms to 50°F. Last frost typically hits April 16; first frost October 24. A second sowing from August 15 to August 29 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Borage in Fleming County, KY

Fleming County, Kentucky Zone 6b June

Top priorities for Fleming County, Kentucky gardeners in June

Your Fleming County, Kentucky garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost April 16
Avg. first frost October 24
Soil temp (4") 69°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Harvest borage as they ripen

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • 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.

Fleming County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 2,599 feet, Fleming County receives approximately 43.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Borage during the growing season.

Fleming County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Fleming County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Borage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 8

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 Fleming County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8–6.7) overlaps with Borage's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). 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

4
successive plantings in your 191-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 25 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 15.

Borage Water Budget

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

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 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Fleming 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 ~921 GDD — county provides 3,199 GDD Excellent fit

Borage Planting Timeline — Fleming County, KY

Borage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 – Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 – Apr 23
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 – Apr 23
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 – Jul 23
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 – Aug 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

191 days in Fleming County

Growing Tips for Borage in Fleming County

Direct sow Borage outdoors after April 16 in Fleming 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 Fleming County, KY?

Fleming County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fleming County, KY?

Fleming County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 24.

When should I plant Borage in Fleming County County, ?

In Fleming County County, , plant Borage after the last frost (around April 16) and before the first frost (around October 24). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Fleming County County, for Borage?

Fleming County 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 Fleming County County's climate?

Yes — Borage grows well in Fleming County County's temperate climate. Fleming County County averages a 191-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 16 and first frost around October 24.

🌱

Your Fleming County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Fleming 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 Fleming County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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