When to Plant Borage in Golden Valley County, MT
May in Golden Valley County, Montana — your action list
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
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Get borage in the ground
Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.
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Scatter borage into prepared beds
Rake a smooth bed, make a shallow furrow, drop seeds at the spacing on the packet, water gently, walk away.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- Fall sowing: 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.
Golden Valley County, Montana is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost is September 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 121 days.
At an elevation of 7,917 feet, Golden Valley County receives approximately 25 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Borage to ensure they mature before fall.
Golden Valley County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.8-8.3
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 Golden Valley County
How your county's soil matches Borage's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.8–8.3) is more alkaline than Borage prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Golden Valley County 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 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Borage
Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 22 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jun 28.
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" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.2" | 3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 1.9" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 2.2" | 2.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 2.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 1.9" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Golden Valley 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 — Golden Valley County, MT
Borage Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 10 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 15 | May 15 – May 29 |
| Direct Sow | May 15 | May 15 – Jun 5 |
| Harvest | July 10 | Jul 10 – Aug 28 |
| Fall Sowing | June 28 | Jun 28 – Jul 12 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Direct Sow Fall Sowing |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | 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: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 4b
📆 Growing Season
121 days in Golden Valley County
Growing Tips for Borage in Golden Valley County
Direct sow Borage outdoors after May 22 in Golden Valley 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 →
Borage in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Borage in Golden Valley County, MT?
Golden Valley County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 22. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Golden Valley County, MT?
Golden Valley County, Montana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 22 and first fall frost is September 20.
Your Golden Valley County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Golden Valley County (Zone 4b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.