Uncovering the Benefits of Borage
Borage (Borago officinalis), known affectionately as starflower or bee’s bread, is not just a picturesque addition to your garden but a powerhouse of benefits waiting to be tapped. Among its lesser-known utilities lies its prowess as a cost-effective and simple liquid fertilizer, offering a natural boost to your plants’ vitality and growth.
Understanding Borage
Borage stands out as a resilient annual herb with its captivating blue blossoms and velvety foliage. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this plant acts as a beacon for bees and other pollinators thanks to its abundant nectar and pollen production. Its flowers bloom generously throughout the growing season, providing a stable food source for pollinators much of the year.
Moreover, borage is known to repel certain pests, making it a valuable companion plant for repelling leaf-eating insects such as cabbage worms and hornworms from nearby crops.
However, the true marvel of borage lies in its extensive taproot, which delves deep into the soil, extracting nutrients even from compacted, arid, or nearly infertile earth. While other plants struggle, borage thrives by drawing vital elements such as calcium, potassium, nitrogen, and iron from the soil and storing them within its foliage and blooms. These properties make it an ideal candidate for homemade liquid fertilizer.
Preparation of Borage Liquid Fertilizer
Creating a borage liquid fertilizer involves a simple process known as fermentation. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Harvesting: Leaves, Flowers & Stems
For optimal results, gather borage leaves and flowers, though finely chopped stems can also be used. The peak time for harvesting is just before flowering when nutrient levels are highest. To prevent unwanted seed dispersal, trim the plants before the flower blossoms open. Alternatively, for those who wish to sustain pollinators, deadheading spent flowers before seeding is an effective method for creating small batches of fertilizer.
2. Preparation: Chop & Add Water
Chop the harvested borage into small pieces to increase the surface area for fermentation. The smaller the pieces the faster the ferment. Place the chopped borage in a large bucket and cover it with water. The ratio should be approximately one part borage to two parts water.
For small batch brewing, begin with a 32 ounce canning jar and add spent flower heads and cut leaves until the jar is halfway filled. Next, carefully pour water into the jar, stopping just shy of the fill-line.
3. Waiting: Cover & Ferment
When you ferment borage in water, these nutrients are extracted and infused into the water, creating a nutrient-rich “tea” that can be easily absorbed by other plants.
Use a bucket with a lid and occasionally “burp” to release any built-up gas. Alternatively, you can also cover the bucket with a breathable cloth to prevent debris from entering. If using this method, shelter the bucket from rain by placing it in a covered area such as under an awning or in a shed.
For small batch jars, secure the opening with a cloth, fastened snugly with a rubber band or a lid loosely screwed on to allow gasses to escape.
The important part is to let it sit for about two to six weeks. During this time, the borage will decompose, creating a nutrient-rich “tea.” If the weather is warm, your brew might be ready in as little as two weeks, but it could take longer. When in doubt, wait at least three weeks, but no more than six. Note that some may find the fermentation process a bit stinky, if you have a sensitive nose just place the bucket far from your house.
4. Straining & Storage
After fermentation, strain the liquid, reserving the solid remnants as an enriching addition to your compost pile. The strained liquid can be poured into containers for storage; clean, labeled milk jugs are ideal vessels. Properly stored, borage liquid can last several months, although in hotter climates, it typically remains viable for about two months. Preserve the fertilizer in a cool, dark location, shielding it from moisture and sunlight to prolong its shelf life.
Application of Borage Liquid Fertilizer
Borage liquid fertilizer should be diluted before use. A good rule of thumb is to dilute the fertilizer until it’s the color of weak tea, which is about 10 parts water to 1 part fertilizer – That’s about 1.5 cups liquid fertilizer to 1 gallon of water. It can then be applied directly to the soil around plants. For potted plants, water with this solution every three weeks, while in-ground garden plants benefit from monthly applications.
Benefits of Borage Liquid Fertilizer
Borage liquid fertilizer presents a sustainable and budget-friendly solution to nourish plants with essential nutrients. Whether you’re cutting borage to control its self-seeding habits, maintaining it as a pollinator-feeding plant by deadheading flowers, or intentionally cultivating it for its beneficial capabilities, consider creating a liquid fertilizer. This can provide your plants with a beneficial mid-season growth boost.
This article was originally published in the June 2024 Ocean Observer.
