Introduction

Borage is a beautiful and beneficial plant to grow in your garden. It adds color to your garden, attracts pollinators such as bees, and is a great companion for tomatoes. In this article, we will guide you on how to plant borage with tomatoes and the benefits that come with it.

What is borage?

Borage is a herb with blue flowers and fuzzy leaves. The plant is native to the Mediterranean region but is now grown all over the world. Borage is known for its medicinal properties and is used to treat many ailments. The plant's leaves and flowers are edible and are used in salads or as a garnish. Borage is also famous for attracting bees and other pollinators to the garden.

Why plant borage with tomatoes?

Borage is an excellent companion plant for tomatoes because it attracts pollinators to the garden, making tomatoes more productive. The plant also acts as a natural pest repellent by deterring tomato hornworms and other pests from attacking your tomatoes. Additionally, borage has deep roots that help to improve soil health by breaking up compacted soil and promoting drainage.

How to plant borage with tomatoes

1. Choose a sunny location

Borage and tomatoes require at least six hours of sunlight daily. Choose a sunny spot in your garden for planting. Good air circulation is also crucial, so ensure that the area is not too crowded. The ideal soil temperature for planting tomatoes and borage is between 60°F and 70°F.

2. Prepare the soil

Borage grows best in well-drained soil, rich in organic matter. Mix compost or well-rotted manure with the soil, ensuring that the soil has a pH value between 6.0 and 7.0. Add some all-purpose fertilizer to boost soil fertility.

3. Plant seeds or seedlings

You can start borage seeds indoors six weeks before the last spring frost. Alternatively, you can sow the seeds directly into the soil. Tomatoes can also be started indoors six weeks before the last frost or transplanted from seedlings purchased at a local nursery. Plant borage and tomatoes four inches apart and ensure they get enough water to help them establish quickly.

4. Water and maintain plants

Borage and tomatoes need regular watering to thrive. Water the plants deeply once a week or more if the weather is hot or dry. Borage needs no fertilization, but you can add a high phosphorous fertilizer to tomato plants to encourage fruiting. Prune the tomatoes, so they do not crowd the borage. Also, remove any yellow, diseased or damaged leaves from the tomato plants regularly.

Conclusion

Growing borage with tomatoes is an excellent way to improve soil health, attract pollinators, and repel pests in your garden. Borage provides a stunning blue color that complements the red of tomato fruits. We hope this guide on how to plant borage with tomatoes helps you to grow healthy and productive plants.