herb · direct sow · beginner friendly
Borage: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating borage a few times a week needs about 25 plants in ~38 sq ft, worth about $50 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$8.00/lb retail — an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 7 | ~11 sq ft | ~14 | ~$14 |
| 2 people | 13 | ~20 sq ft | ~25 | ~$26 |
| 4 people | 25 | ~38 sq ft | ~47 | ~$50 |
| 6 people | 38 | ~57 sq ft | ~72 | ~$76 |
Spacing
12" in row · 18" between rows
Sow depth
0.5"
Days to harvest
55 from seed
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May 15 – Jul 24 | — |
| Zone 4 | May 10 – Jul 19 | — |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 – Jul 9 | — |
| Zone 6 | Apr 20 – Jun 29 | — |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 – Jun 14 | — |
| Zone 8 | Mar 25 – Jun 3 | — |
| Zone 9 | Feb 20 – May 1 | — |
| Zone 10 | Jan 31 – Apr 11 | — |
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Yield
About 0.25 lbs per plant over ~8 productive weeks (~0.25 lb). Re-sow every ~21 days for a steady supply instead of one glut.
Watch for
Aphids · Spider mites · Downy & powdery mildew · Japanese beetles — the pest guide covers organic fixes for each, and Pest Radar shows what gardeners near you are reporting right now.
Neighbors
Plays well with tomato-slicing, strawberry-junebearing, summer-squash.
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code — not just your zone — in about 60 seconds.