Beautiful plant with many uses (Borage)

Member Name: ecolojo

Product:	Borage
Date:	27/10/09 (2 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to grow

Disadvantages: Not a bulky vegetable crop

Borage is a fantastic self seeding herb with beautiful blue flowers. It may be used as a "pot herb" ie added in reasonable bulk to savory dishes, mixed with spinach, and when chopped finely, added to salads or sandwiches. It is quite hairy but these hairs are not irritating to the mouth. The flavour of borage is similar to cucumber, and pea and borage soup is a classic combination! The flowers may be picked individually and frozen into ice cubes, they look very pretty in drinks.

Borage is easy to grow, and will almost certainly grow again from self sown seedlings if it has grown well the previous year. They prefer light sandy soil and plenty of sunshine. Bees love it, and make a delicious honey from its nectar, while also encouraging pollination of neighbouring plants.

As a medicinal herb borage is said to "cheer the hard student", and is useful in reducing fevers. Make a tea of a handful of chopped leaves with 1 pint of water and simmer for a few minutes before straining and drinking a glassful from time to time in moderation.

Summary: Worth a space in all but the tiniest garden