When to Plant Borage in Mountrail County, ND
Your April planting checklist for Mountrail County, North Dakota
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Mountrail County, North Dakota this April and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
Before May arrives, get these ready
- Transplants going out: borage
- Direct-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.
Mountrail County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 128 days.
At an elevation of 1,059 feet, Mountrail County receives approximately 26.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 78°F, so choose short-season varieties of Borage to ensure they mature before fall.
Mountrail County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.8-7.5
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 Mountrail County
How your county's soil matches Borage's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.8–7.5) is more alkaline than Borage prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Mountrail 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
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 24 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jun 30.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.2" | 2.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 1.7" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 2.2" | 2.1" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 2.2" | 2.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 2.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Mountrail 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 — Mountrail County, ND
Borage Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 5 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 10 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Direct Sow | May 10 | May 10 – May 31 |
| Harvest | July 5 | Jul 5 – Aug 23 |
| Fall Sowing | June 30 | Jun 30 – Jul 14 |
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 | 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 3b
📆 Growing Season
128 days in Mountrail County
Growing Tips for Borage in Mountrail County
Direct sow Borage outdoors after May 17 in Mountrail 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 Mountrail County, ND?
Mountrail County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Mountrail County, ND?
Mountrail County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is September 22.
Your Mountrail County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Mountrail County (Zone 3b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.