Delicious, easy to grow and stunningly ornamental, this is the ideal multi-tasking veg for the gardener who wants it all. Borage is one of the very best plants for attracting pollinators such as bees. Sow: April-June. Harvest: August-October. Tastes like: Green melon, cucumber, runner beans.
Growing Information
Full growing instructions given on packet. Sow seeds in a row of fertile, well-drained soil 13mm (½”) deep in a lightly-shaded, sheltered site. The cool environment and lack of bright light encourages soft, tender leaves especially when the resulting seedlings are spaced 20cm (8″) apart. The key to borage is warmth then cold! Keep the plants well watered with a dilute nitrogen-rich fertiliser such as nettle liquid once a week and in around 8 weeks time you will have lush leafy plants with long, strappy, almost fuzz-free leaves. Harvest the plant before it flowers by slicing the whole plant down to the ground. If you are keen on harvesting the flowers too then plant one or two plants in a sunnier site or simply avoid harvesting one of your regular plants until a flower stalk erupts from the centre. Sowing: April-June. Cropping: 8 weeks.
Sowing Information
Sow seeds in a well-drained soil 13mm deep in a lightly shaded sheltered site. Space resulting seedlings 20cm(8″) apart.
