Are you growing borage in California, but don’t know when the best time to harvest them is?

Harvesting borage is not as easy as it seems.

Here’s why:

• Borage have a very short window when they can be harvested and still taste great.

So if you harvest them too early they may not be ready and taste bad. And if you harvest them too late they may become infected with mold, fungus, insects, etc., and become inedible.

Today, I’m going to teach you the ideal time to harvest borage in California:

• To Learn More About HOW to Grow Borage, Check Out This GUIDE!

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When Do I Harvest Borage in California?

As you may have already guessed, there are two main factors that determine when you should harvest your borage: the physical features of the borage & weather (time).

Harvest Borage if They Look Like This!!!

The physical features of borage are what most gardeners commonly rely on to determine if they are ready to be picked off the plant or not.

In general, you should harvest borage if they have the following physical features:

• The entire borage is a solid red color. If the borage is a lighter shade of red, it is not ready to be harvested
• The borage is slightly soft. Too hard means it is not ready. Too soft means it is overripe (but still edible)
• Easily able to be deattached from the the plant. This means it has absorbed all the nutrients it needs and is ready.

Harvest Your Borage During THIS Time of Year!!!

In general, you should harvest borage:

• 65 to 85 days after starting borage from seed
• 40 to 50 days after planting borage in your garden
• 20 to 30 days after borage first appear

And no matter what, you should ALWAYS harvest your borage before the first frost of the year. Frost will immediately kill your borage plant and make your borage inedible.

For your reference, I have created this table for average frost dates for most major cities in California. If your city is not listed below you can find its Last & First Frost Dates HERE.

California Last & First Frost Dates

It should be noted that you should not overly rely on the first frost of the year. The average first frost of the year is only correct 30% of the time.

Instead, pay close attention to your local weather.

When you know a frost is coming you need to take action.

• If borage are in pots, bring them inside
• If borage are in the ground, cover them in burlap and hope they survive
• Pick all borage. If they are not ready, place them in a brown paper bag and store them for approximately 1 to 2 weeks to see if they become edible.

If you want to learn WHEN to harvest ANY Vegetable in California, head over to HERE and just type in the vegetable you want to grow.