When to Plant Borage in East Grand Forks, Minnesota (56721)

Location

East Grand Forks, Minnesota

ZIP Code

56721

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Friday, May 15, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Friday, May 22, 2026

Based on last frost Friday, May 15, 2026 · Zone 4a

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 East Grand Forks?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Friday, May 22, 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 East Grand Forks, Minnesota? +

In East Grand Forks (Zone 4a), direct sow Borage outdoors around Friday, May 22, 2026.

What is the last frost date for East Grand Forks, Minnesota? +

The average last spring frost date for East Grand Forks, Minnesota (ZIP 56721) is around Friday, May 15, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 4a.

How long does Borage take to grow? +

Borage typically matures in about 60 days from direct sowing. In East Grand Forks, that means you can expect harvest around Friday, May 22, 2026 plus 60 days.

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

Borage does best when direct sown outdoors. In East Grand Forks, sow directly around Friday, May 22, 2026.

📚 More Borage Planting Guides

🗺️

Borage in Minnesota

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 4a Borage Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for East Grand Forks

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 4a

Borage (Borago officinalis) is a popular garden vegetable. In East Grand Forks, Minnesota, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a, you should direct sow seeds around Friday, May 22, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Friday, May 15, 2026. Borage grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.