Fertilizing Your Borage Plant:
The Dos and Don’ts

Borage, also known as starflower, is a beautiful and useful plant that can be grown in gardens or containers. Borage produces blue, star-shaped flowers that attract pollinators and can be used to make teas, syrups, and salads. To ensure healthy growth and abundant blooms, it’s essential to fertilize your borage plant properly. In this article, we will discuss the dos and don’ts of fertilizing your borage plant.

Dos

1. Use Organic Fertilizers

Borage plants prefer organic fertilizers like compost, manure, or worm castings. These fertilizers are rich in nutrients and improve soil quality. Organic fertilizers release nutrients slowly and provide long-term benefits to the soil.

2. Fertilize in Spring

Spring is the best time to fertilize your borage plant. As the weather warms up, the plant starts growing actively, and it needs additional nutrients to support its growth.

3. Follow the Instructions

When using commercial fertilizers, always follow the instructions on the package. Over-fertilizing can be harmful to your plant and may cause root burn or other issues.

4. Apply Fertilizer to the Soil

Apply fertilizer to the soil around the borage plant and not directly onto the leaves or stems. This will prevent fertilizer burn and ensure that the roots receive the nutrients they need.

5. Water After Fertilizing

After fertilizing your borage plant, water it thoroughly. This will help dissolve the fertilizer and distribute it evenly in the soil.

Don’ts

1. Don’t Use Chemical Fertilizers

Avoid using chemical fertilizers on your borage plant as they can harm beneficial insects like bees, butterflies, and ladybugs. Chemical fertilizers also deplete soil quality over time.

2. Don’t Over-Fertilize

Over-fertilizing can be as harmful as under-fertilizing. It can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of blooms or cause root burn or other issues.

3. Don’t Fertilize in Winter

Avoid fertilizing your borage plant in winter when its growth slows down or goes dormant. Fertilizing during this period can cause nutrient build-up in the soil.

4. Don’t Apply Fertilizer too Close to the Roots

Avoid applying fertilizer too close to the roots of your borage plant as it can damage them. Keep a distance of at least six inches from the base of the stem.

5. Don’t Apply Fertilizer on Wet Soil

Avoid applying fertilizer on wet soil as it can cause nutrient leaching or runoff. Wait for the soil to dry out before adding fertilizer.

With these dos and don’ts in mind, you can ensure healthy growth and abundant blooms for your borage plant.

FAQ

Q1: What nutrients do borage plants need?

Borage plants need nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK), along with other micronutrients like calcium, magnesium, and iron.

Q2: Can I use coffee grounds as fertilizer for my borage plant?

Yes, coffee grounds are an excellent source of nitrogen for your borage plant. However, they should be used sparingly as they are acidic and may alter soil pH over time.

Q3: How often should I fertilize my borage plant?

Borage plants don’t require frequent fertilization if grown in nutrient-rich soil. Once a year in spring is usually enough.

Q4: Can I use fish emulsion fertilizer on my borage plant?

Yes, fish emulsion is a good organic fertilizer for borage plants as it is high in nitrogen and other nutrients essential for their growth.

Q5: Can I use compost tea instead of chemical fertilizer?

Yes, compost tea is an excellent organic alternative to chemical fertilizer for your borage plant. It contains beneficial microorganisms that improve soil health and provide slow-release nutrients to plants.