When to Plant Borage in Dubuque, Iowa (52002)

Location

Dubuque, Iowa

ZIP Code

52002

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Sunday, May 10, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Sunday, May 17, 2026

Based on last frost Sunday, May 10, 2026 · Zone 5a

Pro tip: Sow Borage directly outdoors 1 week after your last frost date — it needs warm soil.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Borago officinalis

Days to Maturity 60 days

Mature Height 18-36"

Spread 24"

Type Annual

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun to Partial Shade

💧

Water

Moderate

↔️

Spacing

18" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.5" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days

Ready to Plant Borage in Dubuque?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Sunday, May 17, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

TomatoSquashStrawberryPepper

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

Fennel

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Borage

See which plants help Borage thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

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🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟢 Easy

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Seeds ripen quickly and drop — check daily once flowers fade, or collect from the ground below the plant.

Processing

Collect dark nutlets (seeds) directly — they're large and easy to handle. Dry a few days before storing.

Seed Viability

Up to 3 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Borage self-sows prolifically — expect volunteers every year once established in the garden.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 14 plants of Borage. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Borage in Dubuque, Iowa? +

In Dubuque (Zone 5a), direct sow Borage outdoors around Sunday, May 17, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Dubuque, Iowa? +

The average last spring frost date for Dubuque, Iowa (ZIP 52002) is around Sunday, May 10, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 5a.

How long does Borage take to grow? +

Borage typically matures in about 60 days from direct sowing. In Dubuque, that means you can expect harvest around Sunday, May 17, 2026 plus 60 days.

Should I start Borage indoors or direct sow in Iowa? +

Borage does best when direct sown outdoors. In Dubuque, sow directly around Sunday, May 17, 2026.

📚 More Borage Planting Guides

🗺️

Borage in Iowa

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 5a Borage Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Dubuque

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Borage in Zone 5a

Borage (Borago officinalis) is a popular garden vegetable. In Dubuque, Iowa, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a, you should direct sow seeds around Sunday, May 17, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Sunday, May 10, 2026. Borage grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.