When to Plant Borage in Dixon, Illinois (61021)

Location

Dixon, Illinois

ZIP Code

61021

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Saturday, April 25, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Saturday, May 2, 2026

Based on last frost Saturday, April 25, 2026 · Zone 5b

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 Dixon?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Saturday, May 2, 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 Dixon, Illinois? +

In Dixon (Zone 5b), direct sow Borage outdoors around Saturday, May 2, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Dixon, Illinois? +

The average last spring frost date for Dixon, Illinois (ZIP 61021) is around Saturday, April 25, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 5b.

How long does Borage take to grow? +

Borage typically matures in about 60 days from direct sowing. In Dixon, that means you can expect harvest around Saturday, May 2, 2026 plus 60 days.

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

Borage does best when direct sown outdoors. In Dixon, sow directly around Saturday, May 2, 2026.

📚 More Borage Planting Guides

🗺️

Borage in Illinois

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 5b Borage Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Dixon

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 5b

Borage (Borago officinalis) is a popular garden vegetable. In Dixon, Illinois, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b, you should direct sow seeds around Saturday, May 2, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Saturday, April 25, 2026. Borage grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.