When to plant borage in Illinois
Illinois spans USDA zones 5a–7a, so the right time to plant borage shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about April 4 in Granite City to May 1 in McHenry — below are local dates for 226 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 6a | April 10 | November 5 | April 10 – April 24 |
| Aurora | 5b | April 19 | October 23 | April 19 – May 3 |
| Naperville | 5b | April 28 | October 16 | April 28 – May 12 |
| Joliet | 5b | April 19 | October 25 | April 19 – May 3 |
| Rockford | 5b | April 24 | October 17 | April 24 – May 8 |
| Elgin | 5b | April 26 | October 18 | April 26 – May 10 |
| Springfield | 6a | April 15 | October 22 | April 15 – April 29 |
| Peoria | 6a | April 16 | October 23 | April 16 – April 30 |
Borage in Illinois: FAQ
When can I plant borage in Illinois?
Across Illinois, the time to direct-sow borage spans roughly April 4 in Granite City to May 1 in McHenry, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the borage planting date vary across Illinois?
Yes. Illinois publishes 226 cities with their own frost dates, so the right borage planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does borage take to grow in Illinois?
Borage takes about 50–60 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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