Borage is a herb that has many medicinal and practical uses. It’s helpful to pollinators, edible for humans, and it’s pretty easy to grow. But there are many other reasons to grow borage in your home garden.
Here are ten reasons why you should consider adding this versatile herb to your garden.
Borage can be used as a trap crop or for companion planting with some fruits and veggies
In addition to being a beautiful addition to any flower bed, borage can also be used as a trap crop or for companion planting with some fruits and veggies. Borage makes a good companion plant for tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash, among other veggies and fruits.
When used as a trap crop, borage attracts pests away from other plants, making it an ideal plant to grow near vulnerable crops. For example, Borage can be used to lure aphids away from other crops.
As another example, here in Colorado, I’ve noticed that the grasshoppers currently trying to take over my garden are drawn to the borage specifically. Next year, I’m planning on getting even more borage in the ground to help mitigate my grasshopper issues.
If you’re not sure what kind of garden pests are common in your area, I’d still recommend planting a few borage plants around your garden because I’m willing to bet that they’ll do some work for you in the pest control department.
Borage is wonderful for pollinators
If you’re looking to attract pollinators to your garden, borage is a wonderful option. This herb is beloved by bees hummingbirds, pollinator wasps, butterflies, and other insects, and it’s easy to see why.
Borage has large, bright blue flowers that are very easy for pollinators to find. The flowers are packed with nectar, making them a great source of food for bees and other insects.
The leaves and flowers of borage have a cucumber-like flavor and are fully edible
Borage, also known as starflower, is a beautiful herb with edible flowers and leaves that boast a cucumber-like flavor.
This versatile plant can be used in a variety of ways, from making a refreshing tea or infused water to adding flavor to salads, soups, and greens mixes. The small blue flowers are also lovely as a garnish on any dish.
When choosing borage, look for fresh, bright green leaves and avoid any that are wilted or yellowing. Don’t forget to wear gloves when harvesting borage leaves, because they have little spikes on them. Borage is best used soon after it’s picked, but it can be stored in the fridge for a few days if necessary.
Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just getting started in the kitchen, borage is a fun and easy herb to experiment with. Give it a try in your next meal and see for yourself!
Borage is an easy herb to grow, and it doesn’t require much care or maintenance
Borage is a semi-hardy herb that is easy to grow and doesn’t require much care or maintenance. It tolerates poor soils and the seeds aren’t super-tiny, so it’s a great plant to let your kids help start with you.
You can start planting Borage earlier in the year than some of your summer herbs since they will tolerate light frosts.
Borage is an easy chop-and-drop mulch option and it’s popular in permaculture gardens
Permaculture gardens are all about working with nature, not against it. One of the simplest and most effective ways to do this is to use a chop-and-drop mulch system.
Borage is a great plant to use for this purpose. It’s easy to grow and produces a lot of biomass. When you chop it down, just leave it on the ground as mulch.
The borage will decompose and release nutrients into the soil, which will benefit your other plants. In addition, the dense network of roots will help hold the soil in place and prevent erosion. If you’re looking for an easy way to mulch your permaculture garden, borage is a great option.
Borage roots can help break up clay soil
Borage is a hardy plant that can grow in a variety of soil types but the roots of the plant help to break up the clay, making it easier for water and air to penetrate the ground. In addition, borage leaves are high in nitrogen, which helps to promote the growth of other plants.
As a result, borage can be an excellent addition to any garden, especially if you are struggling with clay soil.
Borage self-seeds easily, so plant it once and enjoy it for years to come
Borage is one of those delightful plants that are easy to grow and care for, yet also self-seeds easily so that you can enjoy it for years to come with very little effort.
Simply sow the seeds in early spring and you’ll have a pretty display of blue flowers by summer. The pollinators will love it too! If you let some of the flowers go to seed, you’ll have borage coming up in all sorts of places the following year – in cracks in paving, at the edges of borders… wherever there’s a bit of bare ground.
They’re also easy to pull up if they show up somewhere you don’t want them.
Chickens can enjoy eating Borage
If you have chickens, you may be wondering what sorts of things you can feed them to supplement their diet. Borage is a great option – not only do chickens enjoy eating it, but it also provides them with a number of important nutrients.
Borage is a good source of protein, vitamin C, and potassium. It also contains antioxidants, which can help to boost the Immune system. In addition, the leaves of the plant are high in calcium, which is essential for strong bones and shells.
So, if you’re looking for a way to give your chickens a treat that will also benefit their health, try feeding them borage.
Borage can act as an indicator of when to water surrounding crops
Borage is known as an indicator species, which means that it can show farmers when to water their crops.
Borage will wilt in hot, dry conditions, and it’s often one of the first plants in my garden to show signs of needing more water.
However, it will recover quickly after being watered, whereas other plants may take longer to rebound. As a result, borage can serve as an early warning sign that water is needed in that part of the garden.
Borage is a medicinal herb with a variety of applications
Note: Always consult with your medical practitioner before using any herb medicinally!
Borage (Borago officinalis) is a medicinal herb with a long history of use. However, it is the borage seeds that are most prized for their medicinal properties. Borage seeds contain compounds that can help to soothe inflammation and relieve pain.
They are often used in infusions or tinctures, and they can also be made into an oil that can be applied externally. No matter how it is used, borage is a versatile herb that has many valuable applications.
Conclusion & TLDR: Reasons to grow borage
Borage is a great herb to grow in your home garden for a variety of reasons. Not only is it easy to care for, but it also self-seeds easily so you can enjoy it for years to come. In addition, the plant is high in nutrients and has valuable medicinal applications. Chickens will love eating the borage leaves, and the plant can even act as an indicator of when to water other crops. So, if you’re looking for a versatile and useful plant, borage is a great option and this is a list of 10 solid reasons to grow borage.
Can you think of any more reasons to grow borage? I’m sure there are plenty more reasons to grow this versatile herb. Comment below with why you grow borage and let me know if I can add it to my list (with credit, of course!)
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