When to Plant Borage in Okmulgee County, OK
May in the garden — Okmulgee County, Oklahoma
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Okmulgee County, Oklahoma this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
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Begin indoor sowing: borage
Your window is short. These crops want several weeks of indoor growth before they go outside.
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Harvest borage as they ripen
Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.
Looking ahead to June
- 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.
Okmulgee County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 213 days.
At an elevation of 657 feet, Okmulgee County receives approximately 28.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Borage during the growing season.
Okmulgee County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.7-7.6
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 Okmulgee County
How your county's soil matches Borage's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.7–7.6) is more alkaline than Borage prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Okmulgee 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 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Borage
Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 03 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 24.
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 | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.2" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.2" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 3.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 2.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 1.7" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 2.2" | 1" | 1.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Dec | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Okmulgee 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 — Okmulgee County, OK
Borage Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 27 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 27 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Direct Sow | March 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 10 |
| Harvest | May 22 | May 22 – Jul 10 |
| Fall Sowing | August 24 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| 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 7b
📆 Growing Season
213 days in Okmulgee County
Growing Tips for Borage in Okmulgee County
Direct sow Borage outdoors after April 03 in Okmulgee 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 Okmulgee County, OK?
Okmulgee County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Okmulgee County, OK?
Okmulgee County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is November 2.
Your Okmulgee County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Okmulgee 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.