Borage and Bees

[DoubleDogFarm]

Instead of high jacking someone post, I thought I would start anew.

Borage, (Borago officinalis), also known as a starflower, is an annual herb originating in Syria. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borage

"Borage is used in companion planting.[7] It is said to protect or nurse legumes, spinach, brassicas, and even strawberries.[8] It is also said to be a good companion plant to tomatoes because it confuses the search image of the mother moths of tomato hornworms or manduca looking for a place to lay their eggs.[9] Claims that it improves tomato growth [10] and makes them taste better [11] remain unsubstantiated"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borage

You need to be a little careful with Borage. You start out with one plant
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20Vegetable%20Garden%20plants/BorageplantsAugust2011004.jpg[/img]
Then two
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20Vegetable%20Garden%20plants/BorageplantsAugust2011005.jpg[/img]
Then a thousand and two
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20Vegetable%20Garden%20plants/BorageplantsAugust2011007.jpg[/img]
Bees, mostly Bumble bees like my borage. I do see a few of the neighbors Honey bees.
Caught this one sleeping on the job. Spent the night out on the limb.
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20Vegetable%20Garden%20plants/BorageplantsAugust2011003.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20Vegetable%20Garden%20plants/BorageplantsAugust2011002.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20Vegetable%20Garden%20plants/BorageplantsAugust2011001.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h300/eric_wa/Double%20Dog%20Farm%20Vegetable%20Garden%20plants/BorageplantsAugust2011009.jpg[/img]

Anyone using Borage as a vegetable? Any favorite recipes?

Eric

[Moley]

I use the flowers to top salads for garnish, Young leaves chiffonade make a nice garnish for cole slaw, great celery taste.

[soil]

I love borage

https://www.herb.co.za/herbal/borage-recipes.htm

[cherishedtiger]

Tried growing some from seed this year, I don't think it ever even started (I think I had some bad starter soil in my greenhouse, everything planted in it died or never even started).

You say its a good companion to spinach, is it cold hardy? I am about to plant my spinach and if I can plant borage along with it I would be super excited to try!

[DoubleDogFarm]

It's a tender annual, by definition most be kept above 41F.


Eric

[lakngulf]

Great pictures, Eric. Made me think I was right there. Hey, with the heat we have had lately, it would have been good to be "right there"

[lily51]

This is an herb unknown to many, but I've always enjoyed it. You're so right about its multiplication capabilities! But the extras are easy to eliminate.
I've only used it for garnish; I love the looks of the plant, the flower and how bees love it, too.