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When to Plant Borage in Grays Harbor County, WA

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.

Grays Harbor County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 65 feet, Grays Harbor County receives approximately 39.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Borage during the growing season.

Grays Harbor County, WA (Zone 8b) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Grays Harbor County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Borage

Borage needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Borage Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 5.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0.6" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0.8" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 5.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 5.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Grays Harbor County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Borage Planting Timeline — Grays Harbor County, WA

Borage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 23 Mar 23 – Apr 6
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 – May 4
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 – May 4
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 – Aug 3
Fall Sowing August 14 Aug 14 – Aug 28

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
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

Low — drought tolerant

📅 Days to Maturity

50–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

179 days in Grays Harbor County

Growing Tips for Grays Harbor County

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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Borage in Grays Harbor County, WA?

Grays Harbor County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Borage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grays Harbor County, WA?

Grays Harbor County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 23.

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Your Grays Harbor County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Grays Harbor County (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Grays Harbor County, WA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.