When to Plant Borage in Bernalillo County, NM
Your May gardening checklist
A quick May briefing for Bernalillo County, New Mexico gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- Starting indoors: borage
- 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.
Bernalillo County, New Mexico is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 167 days.
At an elevation of 4,326 feet, Bernalillo County receives approximately 16.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Borage during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Borage will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Borage successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Bernalillo County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Sandy Loam
Soil pH
6.8-8.2
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 Bernalillo County
How your county's soil matches Borage's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.8–8.2) is more alkaline than Borage prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
Sandy soil in Bernalillo 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 (0.7%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Borage.
How to Plant Borage
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Borage
Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 15 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 05.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 10/10 — 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" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.2" | 0.5" | 1.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| May | 2.2" | 0.3" | 1.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 2.2" | 0.6" | 1.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 2.2" | 3.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 3.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 2.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 1.4" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Bernalillo 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 — Bernalillo County, NM
Borage Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 23 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Direct Sow | April 16 | Apr 16 – May 7 |
| Harvest | June 18 | Jun 18 – Aug 6 |
| Fall Sowing | August 5 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| 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 · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
50–60 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7b
📆 Growing Season
167 days in Bernalillo County
Growing Tips for Borage in Bernalillo County
Direct sow Borage outdoors after April 30 in Bernalillo County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Sandy soil in Bernalillo County dries quickly — mulch Borage with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.
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 Bernalillo County, NM?
Bernalillo County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Bernalillo County, NM?
Bernalillo County, New Mexico is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 14.
Your Bernalillo County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Bernalillo County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.