Bernagie - organic seeds

Borage Seeds: Everything You Need to Know About This Versatile Plant

Borage (Borago officinalis), also known as "cucumber herb" due to the fresh scent of its leaves, is an aromatic annual plant. The star-shaped flowers, which range from blue to white, add beauty to your garden and attract important pollinators. Originally native to Syria, borage has been valued for centuries for its culinary, medicinal, and cosmetic uses.

Borage Seed Planting Tips

1. Sowing:

   • Sowing Time: Sow borage seeds in pots starting from March. In cooler climates, it's better to wait until April to sow directly in the ground to avoid frost damage.
   • Sowing Depth: Sow the seeds lightly, so they are just covered with soil.
   • Spacing: Keep a distance of 30 cm between plants and 30 cm between rows for optimal growth and airflow.

2. Growing Conditions:

   • Light: Borage thrives best in full sun but can tolerate light shade.
   • Soil: Prefers rich, well-drained, and humus-rich soil.
   • Watering: Water moderately and regularly to keep the soil moist, especially during hot periods.

3. Maintenance:

   • Removing Wilted Flowers: This helps prevent the spread of seeds since borage self-sows easily.
   • Green Manure: Borage can also be used as green manure by turning it into the soil to enrich it.

Harvesting Borage

• Edible Parts:
  • Leaves and Flowers: Young leaves can be eaten raw in salads, or cooked like spinach. The flowers are often used as decoration in salads, desserts, and even ice cubes for refreshing drinks.
• Harvest Time: Harvesting begins approximately two months after sowing. Since borage self-seeds, it ensures a continuous harvest.

Uses of Borage

1. Culinary Uses: Borage adds a refreshing flavor and colorful touch to your dishes. The edible flowers are perfect for salads or used as decorations in ice cubes for drinks. Young leaves can be eaten raw, while mature leaves are best cooked.

2. Medicinal Uses: Traditionally, borage has been used for its purifying and diuretic properties. A tea made from dried flowers has an anti-inflammatory effect, making it useful for treating colds and coughs. Borage oil, extracted from the seeds, is well-known for its hydrating and rejuvenating effects on skin, nails, and hair.

Preserving Borage

• Drying: Both flowers and leaves can be dried and stored in airtight jars for later use in infusions and herbal mixes.
• Freezing: Flowers can be frozen in ice cubes to garnish drinks, and young leaves can be frozen to preserve their freshness for later use.

Companion Planting in the Garden

Borage is not only beneficial in the kitchen and for your body but also for your garden. It is an excellent companion plant for cabbage, marigolds, and strawberries, as it helps protect these plants from pests like slugs and nematodes. Additionally, it attracts useful pollinators. When used as green manure, borage enriches the soil with vital nutrients.