How to Use Borage in Companion Planting and Compost
Borage (Borage officinalis) is an annual herb with star shaped blue flowers, easy to grow and magic in companion planting. Borage, also known as Starflower, is an annual herb native to Syria. The plant prefers rich, well-draining soil with a pH level close to 6.6 and an area that receives light shade. It often grows to a height of 36 inches and a width of 20 inches. Starflower also has a number of culinary uses. It is considered one of the best plants to use in companion planting for an organic garden. Borage is also a very valuable addition to any compost pile or bin.
Things You Will Need
Borage
Garden gloves
Garden spade
Garden hose
Compost pile or compost tumbler
Where to Plant
Plant Borage throughout the vegetable, herb and flower gardens. This valuable companion plant promotes the overall health of any plants it grows near. There aren't any plants that don't appreciate it. Starflower also adds much needed trace minerals directly into soil, improving the overall health and structure of the soil.
How Borage Benefits Other Plants
Plant Borage as a companion plant to any type of fruit, flowering plant or vegetable in the organic garden. It increases the productivity of beans, melons, cucumbers, squash, berries and tomatoes. Not only do these fruits and vegetables yield more produce, the quality and taste improve.
Insects it Attracts and Repels
Plant Borage to attract beneficial insects such as bees for pollination and predatory wasps for organic pest control. Starflower also repels garden pests such as the tomato hornworm, cabbage moths and cabbage worms. Borage is considered one of the magic plants, and a must, in companion planting for controlling pests in an organic garden.
In Compost
Add Borage to compost piles, heaps, bins or compost tumblers. Starflower is a green material that breaks down very quickly while composting because it is high in moisture content. Borage leaves are high in vitamin C, potassium, mineral salts and calcium. All of these turn compost into gold and are necessary in order to grow healthy plants. You just can't go wrong when you add Borage to compost.
Borage is very easy to grow and a useful companion plant for those who are new to companion plantin and organic gardening. While some plants are not good companions for others, Borage gets along with all plants. So don't stress over where you place it in your companion planting scheme, experiment a little and see where you prefer it to grow.
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Comments
Borage is a wonderful plant and great for composting as you point out. It grows everywhere too as I soon discovered when I was away from the garden for a spell. I had tiny borage plants all over the place. Nice article!
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