The Cottage Garden: Borage

“It maketh a man merry and joyful.” -Pliny the Elder, an ancient Roman naturalist on borage.

July 31, 2022. The Cottage Garden: Borage.

The pretty blue borage is already huge in our cottage garden. It sits as a friendly border that keeps the watermelon from mingling with the corn. It is pleased with its location and is growing fast while allowing plenty of seeds to fall to the ground, ensuring its successors next year. Its blue flowers look like bashful stars, drooping their heads as if embarrassed to face the world. When I bend down to look at their starry faces it is almost as if they turn away shyly from me. Their fuzzy stems and leaves make them look otherworldy and translucent in the sunlight- a fairy garden. It’s a pity to see their hanging heads when they have so much to offer. If you are a vegetable gardener and you haven’t already, then you should acquaint yourself with borage.

Borage is an underrated herb in the cottage garden as lavender is often the bell of the ball with basil and thyme dancing on attendance. There are countless articles on lavender which would keep one reading for a lifetime, but borage sits unnoticed on the sidelines. Rarely do I see it sold in nurseries or in other gardens. I am hopeful though. Borage seems to be receiving much more its due as edible flowers are the rage right now, and borage is a very pretty edible flower. Hopefully, people will learn more about the value of this shy herb.

Uses for Borage

Honeybees love borage. It is one of their favorites. As gardeners we are aware of the importance of our small buzzing friends. They ensure our gardens grow and therefore, we must help them thrive. Borage provides a steady food supply in repayment of this debt. Its extended bloom period goes right up to the first frost, so there is plentiful food for months for bees even when the other herbs and flowers are gone.

Borage is also wonderful as a cover crop to feed your garden. As the vessel for our seeds, dirt needs to be fed and nourished. Chop up the dead plants right into the soil and they will add nitrogen back into the soil and revitalize it for healthy crops the next year.

If you want a natural source of pest control, then add borage to your garden. Your cabbages and tomatoes will thank you for keeping those pesty worms away.

Acquaint yourself with their mild cucumber flavor and add a few borage flowers to your salad or other vegetables.

Sprinkle borage on top of desserts, cakes, or cookies for cottage living flair.

Borage takes such little maintenance. A package of borage seeds is an investment your garden will love and so will you!

Have a beautiful day!