Use borage blossoms as garnish and in drinks . Freeze borage blossoms in ice cubes to float in drinks or a punch bowl or add them directly to iced tea, lemonade or ice water. The fresh taste of borage makes it a good herb to use with fish or in fish accompaniments. Drink borage tea to improve adrenal function and restore strength.
Our best answer was harvest borage leaves and flowers in the morning, after the dew has dried but before the intense heat of midday. Dry the leaves. Dry borage leaves to use in teas or tinctures . Spread freshly picked leaves on a cookie sheet or newspaper. Candy the Blossoms. Candy the flowers to decorate cakes or tarts.
One of the next things we wanted the answer to was, how to grow borage?
One source proposed how to Grow Borage
Watering : Borage requires even regular water until established. Once established the soil can dry out between waterings. Feeding: Borage does not require feeding; avoid soil rich in nitrogen or plants may not bloom. Mulching: Mulch around borage to keep foliage off of the ground where it may rot. Pruning: Pinch back plants when 6 inches tall to encourage bushiness. You can prune back borage by one-half in midsummer; this will encourage new tender leaves for late summer harvest
Care: Keep planting beds well weeded to avoid competition for moisture. Tall plants may require staking or support. Remove faded flowers to prolong blooming.
What is borage used for?
Traditionally the borage plant was used to treat many ailments, from jaundice to kidney problems. In medicinal use today it is limited, but the seeds are a source of linolenic acid. Borage flowers are also used in potpourris or candied for use in confections . Borage can be perpetuated by allowing the flowers to go to seed and self-sow.
When first introducing borage to your garden, plant the seeds in early spring after the final frost has passed. Borage can bloom from late spring through summer and will reach maturity in about eight weeks , at which point you can harvest the leaves and flowers as need.
Well, before we get into borage harvesting, a little more info about the plant is useful. An ancient herb, borage also goes by the names “bee plant,” “bee bread,” talewort, starflower, and cool-tankard. The reference to bees is particularly apt, as the plant is an excellent bee attractor with its also aptly named star-shaped flowers.
One idea is that sowing the seeds every four weeks will ensure a ready supply of borage flowers. The leaves may be picked at any time and used fresh. Dried leaves have little of the characteristic flavor so the plant is best consumed after harvest. Leave the flowers alone if you are hosting a honeybee colony.
What kind of soil do you need for borage?
Borage prefers well-draining soil, rich in organic matter with a p. H between 6.0 and 7.0. You can perform a soil test to determine whether your soil is acidic or alkaline . Sow seeds a half-inch deep in well-draining soil.
What’s the best way to cook borage?
A russet potato worked fine. A little veggie stock and a smidge of duck fat added to a heap of blanched borage (borage only needs about 30 seconds in salted boiling water to blanch, by the way), and, after sufficient buzzing, I had a nice green soup. I like this soup.
How do you make borage tea?
Borage tea is best made out of fresh leaves and flowers . You need around ¼ cup fresh borage leaves or flowers and one cup of hot, boiling water. L et the tea blend steep for 10-15 minutes, and use honey to sweeten to the taste you prefer.
How do you use borage flowers?
Freeze borage blossoms in ice cubes to float in drinks or a punch bowl or add them directly to iced tea, lemonade or ice water. The fresh taste of borage makes it a good herb to use with fish or in fish accompaniments .
You see, borage thrives in a sunny spot and needs a well-drained soil. Because the flowers are so attractive to bees, it’s a useful plant to grow alongside fruit and vegetables to entice more insects to pollinate crops.
Another frequent query is “How much sun do borage plants need?”.
Borage plants produce the most flowers in full sun , but they can also tolerate partial shade. Choose a planting area that gets at least six hours of sunlight per day for best results. Prepare the soil.