In the garden, the uses of borage include repelling pests such as hornworms, attracting pollinators, and aiding any plants it is interplanted with by increasing resistance to pests and disease. It is also helpful to, and compatible with, most plants — notably tomatoes, strawberries and squash.
What plants does borage help?
Borage is a fast-growing herb with culsters of starry blue flowers that’s beloved by bees! It’s a wonderful companion plant for tomatoes, cabbage, strawberries and squash, helping to reduce tomato hornworm and cabbage worm damage.
Does borage take over the garden?
Treat this easy-to-keep herb well and it will reward you with scores of beautiful flowers, lush foliage, and fertile soils. If the Borage begins to take over your garden just thin out by hand pulling the plants out. The shallow roots will dislodge easily.
Can I eat borage leaves?
Both the leaves and flowers of the plant are edible and commonly used as a garnish, dried herb, or vegetable in a variety of drinks and dishes. The leaves are sometimes also ground up and steeped in hot water to brew herbal tea.
What should not be planted with borage?
Borage is deer-proof. Brassicas (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, turnip) – All benefit from chamomile, dill, mint, rosemary, and sage. Avoid planting near eggplants, peppers, potatoes, or tomatoes.
Why do farmers grow borage?
Traditionally, Borage is also used in herbal medicine, while commercially it is harvested as an oil seed. The large seeds, which grow in a hard pod, are a great source of linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid also found in linseed and walnut oil.
How does borage help tomatoes?
Borage (Borago officinalisis) is a perfect companion plant for tomatoes because, when planted nearby, it deters tomato hornworms, a real pest for many tomato growers. Its bright blue flowers, shaped like tomato blossoms, are an attractive ornamental addition to the garden as well.
Is borage poisonous?
Borage seed oil is LIKELY UNSAFE when products containing a dangerous chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are taken by mouth. Borage plant parts including the leaf, flower, and seed can contain PAs. PAs can damage the liver or cause cancer, especially when used in high doses or for a long time.
Does borage add nitrogen to soil?
Borage can also fix nitrogen, meaning it absorbs the element from the air and stores it in root nodules. Borage has a dual benefit of adding nitrogen directly to the soil where it is planted, and when added to the compost provides nitrogen, potassium and calcium.
How do I use fresh borage?
Both the leaves and flower are edible and can be used in delicious sweet and savoury recipes. It can be eaten raw in delicious mixed green salads, chopped into yoghurts, cheese and even added to stocks, soups and stews or simply added for garnish.
What part of borage is medicinal?
Borage is a plant. Its flowers and leaves, as well as the oil from its seeds are used as medicine.
What animals eat borage?
Yes, borage is attractive to honeybees, and also attracts predatory insects.
How do you prepare borage to eat?
Wash young borage leaves and remove stalks. Chop finely and cook in a little butter in a covered saucepan over a very low heat. Season to taste. The dampness of the washed leaves should be enough to keep them from sticking to the bottom; they should soon be tender and their hairy texture disappears when cooked.
Does borage need a lot of water?
Water. As your borage is growing from seed and getting established in your garden, water it at least every few days to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Once the plant is mature, you can allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Can borage be grown in pots?
How to grow borage in containers: Borage has a long taproot and does best in containers at least 8 inches deep. Borage plants grow large; grows best in its own container.
Does borage attract butterflies?
Borage flowers attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies to the garden, which are essential for plant reproduction.
What insects eat borage leaves?
Flea beetles come in a variety of different kinds, all of which love to gnaw through the leaves of borage plants.
Do birds eat borage?
Borage is Great for Birds Too
Once borage goes to seed, the seed also provides food for a range of creatures, including a number of seed-eating bird species, such as finches.
Do birds like borage?
Also, once an annual borage plant fades for the season, it’s easy to pull out of the soil. And borage forms tiny thistle-like seeds to feed wild birds.
Is borage a good fertilizer?
Using borage as green manure allows the nutrients brought up by the plant’s deep taproot to be dispersed into the upper areas of soil when the plant composts. Borage returns high nitrogen to the soil when it is tilled back in. The result is healthy soil, rich in nutrients and deeply aerated earth.
What are the worst companion plants for tomatoes?
What are bad companion plants for tomatoes? Broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, and other brassicas. Brassicas, including broccoli, cabbage, rutabaga, and cauliflower, will compete for nutrients with tomatoes, as both brassicas and tomatoes are heavy feeders.