Growing Borage, Not So Boring After All!
Borage is not a popular herb among herb gardeners. However, there is a growing population of gardeners who have already included this plant in their collection of herbs. The main reason behind this increase is the mounting knowledge of the many uses of borage. Aside from having the most delightfully colored bright blue flowers, which are shaped like stars; it is a hardy annual, as well, with many culinary benefits.
The main use for this herb is through the addition of its sprigs, as a complementary ingredient, in drinks such as wine, cider, and fruit drinks. There are those who take advantage of its cucumber aroma and add this as an ingredient in their salads. It can be used in the same way as spinach is used in dishes, or it can also be added to spinach and cabbage to cook up a delectable vegetable salad.
Another interesting use for borage is that if you are in a reduced salt diet, it can be used as a substitute because of its slightly salty taste. Its beautiful blue flowers can be made into candy or used as cake decorations, or, when dried, can be put in a made into potpourri.
If you have decided to grow borage, here are a few tips that you must remember:
- This herb grows best if directly seeded. Although it is highly advised that it is planted in a nutritious soil, with added fertilizers like humus, it can also tolerate just about any type of soil, even poor dry soil. However, make sure that the soil is well-drained. A combination of peat, or maybe Pearlite or Vermiculate, with a little bit of sand for extra draining, will do the trick. If you are more comfortable to start from seedlings in pots, remember to transplant the herb before it is bound to the pot.
- To promote optimal growth, it must be planted in a sunny location. You can start planting around 3 to 4 weeks before the last expected frost. In addition, do not transplant outdoor until the soil has warmed.
- If planted in poor soil, this plant will, nevertheless, benefit from periodic feeding with usual fertilizers, labeled for use on edible plants. It is suggested that you pick soil which has high phosphorous content, as this will help keep the plant in flower. It can be pinched or pruned, as well, to encourage branching and to maintain the size that you want it to be.
- Water regularly but do not overwater. Overwatering any of your plants will lead to disastrous outcomes, like the drowning of the plant.
- Borage has a tendency to take over gardens. If you start to see new borage plants in other parts of your garden, pull them up. Be ruthless. Otherwise, too many borage plants will consume all the nutrients in your garden’s soil, leaving nothing for the other plants.
- The plants grow mature after only about six weeks. Though the flowers can appear at an earlier stage. The flowers can be picked during summer growth for use as ingredient. When you pick the flowers, pick those that have already bloomed.
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