Borage (Starflower) Flowers

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Description

Borage, also called Starflower, is a fast-growing flowering herb with bright blue star-shaped flowers and fuzzy stems and leaves, all edible and they taste like cucumber. Grows 1'-3' tall and reseeds liberally, so it can become invasive. Use the young leaves like spinach and the sweet little flowers as a charming garnish on salads and cakes, or frozen into ice cubes. Easy to dry and use as a refreshing herbal tea.

Cucumber flavor
Garden companion superstar
Culinary and medicinal
Spreads easily

A valuable companion in the vegetable garden, it repels cabbage moths, cabbage white butterfly, cabbage worms, and tomato hornworms; attracts pollinators and beneficial insects; acts as a trap crop for grasshoppers; and feeds the soil as a green manure or mulch.

As a medicinal herb, Borage is used internally to treat anxiety, colds, congestion, cough, depression, fever, hot flashes, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), upset stomach, and urinary problems, and externally to treat insect bites and stings, skin irritations, and swelling.

⚠️ Toxic to pets and livestock. Do not ingest while pregnant or nursing, or if you have liver problems.

⚠️ Medicinal properties are presented as information only, and are not a recommendation or prescription for use. Consult a medical professional before using any herb medicinally.

SEED PLANTING TIPS

Botanical name: Borago officinalis
Life cycle: Herbaceous annual
Hardiness zones: 2-11
Planting season: Spring, summer
Days to maturity: 55-60 days; can begin harvesting when 6" tall
Depth to plant seeds: 1/4" deep
Days to germinate (sprout): 5-14 days
Germination soil temps: 65F-70F
Spacing between plants: 12"-18" apart
Spacing between rows: 18"-24" apart
# of plants per sq. ft.: Appx. 1 plant per sq. ft.
Soil types: Clay, sandy, loamy, silty, rocky, chalky, poor, dry, moist, well-drained
Soil pH: 4.8-8.3
Sun needs: Full sun, part shade
Water needs: Average
Cold stratify: No
Frost tolerant: Yes
Heat tolerant: Yes
Drought tolerant: Yes
Deer resistant: Yes
Culinary use: Yes
Medicinal use: Yes

Good Companion Plants: Basil, Broccoli, Bean, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collards, Cucumber, Eggplant, Fava Bean, Kale, Marigold, Melon, Mustard, Pea, Pepper, Pumpkin, Radish, Soybean, Squash, Strawberry, Tomato, Zucchini

Borage

Borage is a fairly common herbal remedy that has been used since ancient times. It's best when grown in containers because it is extremely invasive. The flavor of these flowers is crisp and refreshing.

What is Borage?

This gorgeous, but highly invasive medicinal herb will boast lovely blue and purple flowers and will get at least 5 feet tall wherever you plant it. Very easy to grow, it will re-seed year after year and will be a lovely piece for your garden. The flavor of the Borage flowers resemble cucumbers... cool and crisp.

Health Benefits of Borage

Borage is wonderful and has a great reputation for it's beneficial affect on the mind. It's been used to dispel melancholy and induce euphoria. It's a soothing saline, diuretic herb that helps treat damaged or irritated tissues. The leaves can be used as well as an emollient and expectorant.

Ways to Consume Borage

Consume these edible flowers in your favorite fresh salads or as a lovely garnish to any dish! Dry the leaves and flowers to make an herbal tea. Freeze these lovely flowers into ice cube trays. Try adding them to wine, cider, and other fruit drinks. Borage pairs well with all salads, most cheeses, summer-like beverages and even fish. You can even "candy" these flowers and use them as edible decorations on cakes, tarts and ice cream.

See Borage Recipes & Growing Tips on our Pinterest Board

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About Our Seeds

	GMO-FREE Our seeds are 100% ✓ NON-Genetically Modified ✓ HEIRLOOM ✓ OPEN-POLLINATED (OP) ✓ RAW, NATURAL & UN-TREATED // Our seeds do not contain any exogenously inserted embryogenesis deactivator genes caused by human intervention or by any other method. We also offer a few hybrid varieties on this website and they will be labeled as such on product listing. Read more info about GMOs & watch videos

	MOISTURE-PROOF PACKAGING All our seeds are packaged in high quality re-sealable moisture-proof packs designed to protect & extend the shelf-life of your seeds. We do NOT use paper envelopes. Read frequently asked questions

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	TOTALLY RAW & UN-TREATED Our seeds are the most natural and most pure. Since all our seeds are open-pollinated, you can safely save the seeds after harvest These are the only seeds you can plant then save after harvest and repeat. Learn how to save your seeds. We support the Safe Seed Pledge!

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Useful Links: [What is GMO?] [Step-by-Step Grow Guides] [Safe Seed Pledge] [FAQs]

WE DO NOT GROW OR SELL SEEDS FROM MONSANTO OR ANY OTHER COMPANY THAT IS AFFILIATED WITH GMO.

✓ NON-GMO
✓ HEIRLOOM
✓ OPEN-POLLINATED (OP)
✓ RAW, NATURAL & UN-TREATED

Safe Seed Pledge

OUR PLEDGE TO YOU

Agriculture and seeds provide the basis upon which our lives depend. We must protect this foundation as a safe and genetically stable source for future generations.

For the benefit of all farmers, gardeners and consumers who want an alternative. We pledge to you that we do not knowingly buy or sell genetically engineered seeds or plants. The mechanical transfer of genetic material outside of natural reproductive methods and between genera, families or kingdoms, poses great biological risks as well as economic, political, and cultural threats.

We wish to support agricultural progress that leads to healthier soils, genetically diverse agricultural ecosystems and ultimately healthy people and communities.

We do not buy - OR - grow any seed from large corporations that make Genetically Engineered seeds. We don't touch that stuff and we never will.

The seeds we offer aren't like varieties you'd typically find at a garden center.

Every variety we offer is 100% OP (open-pollinated). Open-pollination means that you can safely save the seed after harvest and preserve a collection of heirloom seed for many generations to come.

To make it perfectly clear ... Our seeds do not contain any exogenously inserted embryogenesis deactivator genes caused by human intervention.

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Where can you ship your seeds to?

USA: YES, we ship all across the United States.
Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Alaska: NO, not at this time.
CANADA: NO, not at this time.
International/Overseas: NO, not at this time.

How much is shipping across the USA?

Shipping rates vary and are calculated at checkout.
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How do you ship your seeds?

We ship seeds via US Postal Service (unless otherwise noted).
If you need to have your seeds shipped via UPS or FedEx, just let us know.

What is a Seed Bank?

A Seed Bank is your own personal source for seeds designed to be used in the event seeds can no longer be purchased on the open-market or in the event seed supplies are severely restricted.
Storing seeds helps protect individuals and communities against catastrophic events such as rising food prices, natural disasters, food shortages, diseases and/or war.
A Seed Bank is a collection of non-hybrid & open-pollinated seeds that can be stored for multiple years and used in the event of an emergency.

Are all your seeds NON-Genetically Modified (Non-GMO)?

Yes! We don't touch or deal with anything that has been genetically modified.
We have signed the Safe Seed Pledge and work very hard to ensure all our seeds are 100% Non-Genetically Modified (Non-GMO).

Are all your seeds Organic?

We do sell organic seeds - Seeds that are certified organic will be labeled as such on the site. All the seeds listed on the website are 100% Non-GMO.

What do you mean by growing Organic food?

Currently, the USDA says that in order for something to be organic it CANNOT be grown with any chemical fertilizers, synthetic substances, irradiation, sewage sludge, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
As long as you start by using Non-GMO seeds in your garden and continue to grow them without using chemical fertilizers, synthetic substances, or irradiation, sewage sludge then technically your garden will be "Organic". What Organic really means?
Being "Organic" means that irradiation, sewage sludge, synthetic fertilizers, prohibited pesticides, and genetically modified organisms (GMO's) were not used during the growing process.

What is a Genetically Modified seed?

Genetically modified (GM) seeds have been genetically altered in a lab somewhere and have had specific changes introduced into their DNA, also called Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's).
The interesting thing about GM seeds is that gardeners are not able to save the seeds after harvest and must buy seed every year from the corporation that sold them to you.
Click here to read more about GMOs

What does it mean when you say the seeds are Non-Hybrid and Open-Pollinated?

Non-hybrid seeds means they have NOT been cross-bred with any other strain or variety of plant. Learn the difference betwen Hybrid vs. Heirloom
Non-Hybrid seeds are the most natural and purest form of seed anyone can find.
They grow just like they do naturally in nature.
Best of all gardeners can save the seeds after each harvest and be assured they will grow the same every time.
Open-pollinated seeds means the plants are pollinated by insects, bees, birds, wind, and other natural ways.
The good thing with open-pollinated plants is that it will continue to reproduce new generations of those plants.

Do you accept returns?

Yes. Your satisfaction is our number one priority. A 15% restocking fee will be applied to all returned orders. We will either replace or refund your money within 30 days if you are not completely satisfied.

Can I collect my seeds after harvest?

Absolutely! All of the seeds we sell are 100% Open-Pollinated, which means you can collect the seeds from your harvest, dry them, and store them for next year. Read Seed Saving Tips

How many years will my seeds last?

Each seed has been processed for long-term storage, which directly translates into increasing the shelf-life by many years. We use the methods developed and approved by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) for drying, processing, and packaging seeds for long-term storage.
We recommend storing your seeds in these high-quality seed storage vaults and containers. They are the best way to extend the shelf-life of your seeds. These Seed Vaults have the easiest open and close vacuum sealing system of any container on the market! Best of all they're: Air tight. Water Resistant. Pest, insect, rodent resistant! AND ... FREEZER-SAFE! Click here to shop seed storage vaults and containers
The best way to ensure your seeds remain viable for many years is to store them in a cool and dry location. A freezer is usually the best place to store your seeds.