When to Plant Borage in Concordia Parish, LA
Your May game plan for Concordia Parish, Louisiana
Here's what deserves your attention in Concordia Parish, Louisiana this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 9a and timed around your local frost dates.
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Pick borage
The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- First harvests: borage
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.
Concordia Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 8 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 252 days.
At an elevation of 377 feet, Concordia Parish receives approximately 60.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Borage during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Borage root diseases.
Concordia Parish Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6-7.3
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 Concordia Parish
How your county's soil matches Borage's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.0–7.3) overlaps with Borage's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Concordia Parish is excellent for Borage — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help 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 Sep 16 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 20.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 5.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 5.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 2.2" | 5.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 2.2" | 5.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.2" | 5.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 5.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 6.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 3.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 2.2" | 5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | — | 4.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Concordia Parish). 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 — Concordia Parish, LA
Borage Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 8 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 1 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Direct Sow | February 15 | Feb 15 – Mar 8 |
| Harvest | April 26 | Apr 26 – Jun 14 |
| Fall Sowing | September 20 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | Fall Sowing |
| 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 9a
📆 Growing Season
252 days in Concordia Parish
Growing Tips for Borage in Concordia Parish
Direct sow Borage outdoors after March 08 in Concordia Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
With 60" of annual rainfall in Concordia Parish, ensure good drainage for Borage — excess moisture can promote root rot and fungal diseases.
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 Concordia Parish, LA?
Concordia Parish is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 8. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Concordia Parish, LA?
Concordia Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 8 and first fall frost is November 15.
Your Concordia Parish Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Concordia Parish (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.