Edible flowers · Moderate
Borage
Borago officinalis
Large pot of growing medium.
- EC (mS/cm)
- n/a
- pH
- n/a
- Cycle
- moderate
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Sound origin
Borago officinalis
Native to the Mediterranean rim (Spain, France, Italy, Greece, North Africa), later introduced to countries farther north.
Source: Wikipedia
What it provides nutrients
Per 100 g, raw · Borage, leaves, raw
- Rich in vitamin C
- Source of potassium
- Source of iron
% of an adult’s reference intake (EU Regulation 1169/2011). “Source of”: at least 15 % per 100 g, “high in”: at least 30 % (thresholds of EC Regulation 1924/2006).
Source: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy no. 170481 (not in the Ciqual table)
Key steps
- A tall plant with a taproot: a large pot of growing medium rather than a tower.
- Mostly the blue flowers are eaten, with a taste of oyster or cucumber.
- Remove the hairy green part at the back of the flower before serving.
- Very attractive to bees: open it to pollinators if it’s outdoors.
In which system?
| Tower | NFT | Growing medium | Kratky |
|---|---|---|---|
Approximate calendar
| Sowing | Apr., May, June |
| Plants | none |
| Harvest | June, July, Aug., Sept. |
Garden, patio, balcony: Belgian and northern French climate, earlier farther south. Estimates to adjust with your own dates.
Frequently asked questions
Hydroponic borage: what pH?
No specific range is published for this crop in the Oklahoma State table: we do not force an unverified figure. Start from the common range of 5.5–7.0 and write down your results.
Hydroponic borage: what EC?
Oklahoma State has published no value for this crop. Start low, watch the growth and record your measurements in a log.
Borage: which hydroponic system?
Best suited: growing medium (Dutch bucket). Large pot of growing medium.
Borage: when to sow in Belgium?
Indicative window for a garden, patio or balcony in Belgium or northern France: April, May, and June. Adjust with your own dates.
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