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Growing borage for Chelsea
Posted by: Jekka McVicar, 04 April 2008, 03.27PM
It's always exciting when we move the stock outside from the polytunnels to 'harden off' and 'grow on', so that they're just perfect for the Chelsea Flower Show. I guess it's rather like farmers letting cows out onto the grass after a long winter.
It's so rewarding to see the plants all lined up, waiting for their May debut in the best flower show in the world. This week we moved the borage that was sown at the end of December. It's fortunate that borage is a hardy annual, because within a few days of being outside our plants have experienced wind, rain, hail and sunshine. I'm pleased to report no damage has been done - they're looking good and flowering spikes are appearing.
Borage is a great herb for vegetable gardens. The flowers attract bees, which then pollinate plants such as runner beans and strawberries. Borage also attracts blackfly, which then theoretically leave the other plants alone. Equally, when planted near tomatoes, it's said to attract pollinating insects, increasing yield, as well as controlling tomato worm.
With six weeks to go until the Chelsea Flower Show, I'm avidly watching the weather forecasts. I urgently need to get more of the stock outside, not only to 'harden off' but also to restore leaf colour. This is particularly noticeable with red- and golden-leaved plants, whose leaf colour intensifies when they're moved outside. As the plants in the show gardens are permanently outside, colour isn't a problem. For my display in the Great Pavilion, it is. During the show I notice the colour change after a day of being inside the pavilion. By the end of the show the golden-leaved herbs will have turned green and herbs which had vibrant red foliage will be a subdued brownish-green. So it's important to start with the best colour I can, so that the herbs are shown in all their glory.
Comments
greeny
04 April 2008, 11.27PM
heather_je@hotmail.com
10 April 2008, 05.08PM
cook
12 April 2008, 09.11PM
Margaret - New Addington, Croydon
13 April 2008, 07.39PM
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