Herbs
Borage
Flowers mainly for pollinators. Read the cautions before considering food use.
Sowing & planting windows in Australia
Planting timing varies by broad Australian gardening zone. Local weather, unusual seasons and your garden’s microclimate can shift timing.
Cool
Sow · Oct–Dec
Core months: October, November, December
Possible / shoulder months: January, September
Temperate
Sow · Sep–Dec
Core months: September, October, November, December
Possible / shoulder months: January, February, August
Subtropical
Sow · Aug–Nov
Core months: August, September, October, November
Possible / shoulder months: February, March, April, May, June, July
Tropical
Sow · May–Aug
Core months: May, June, July, August
Possible / shoulder months: April, September
Arid
Sow · Oct–Dec
Core months: October, November, December
Possible / shoulder months: January, August, September
Getting started
Sow directly where plants will grow; thin seedlings to the spacing needed at maturity.
The right conditions
Choose sun to light shade and fertile, free-draining soil; protect from harsh heat where appropriate.
As it grows
Water while establishing, then avoid prolonged waterlogging. Trim or pinch regularly to encourage useful leafy growth and airflow.
Ready to harvest
Grow mainly for pollinators; if used as food, use only correctly identified, unsprayed flowers sparingly and follow local health advice.
Plant guidance: Desk-reviewed; not field-tested. Planting windows are a guide rather than a rule.