What to do in the garden this month

• Pinch out fuchsias to ensure bushy growth with plenty of flowers.
• Deadhead daffodils and tulips as the flowers disappear but leave the foliage to die back naturally. Leave the flower heads on snowdrops and scillas so that they can self-seed.
• Sow hardy annual flowers directly into beds and plant herbaceous perennials.
• Feed fruit trees and bushes.
• Dig in a 5cm layer of compost or well-rotted manure into your vegetable beds.
• Divide Hostas before they come into leaf.
• Plant new asparagus beds.
• Plant potatoes, shallots and onion sets.
• Lift and divide perennial plants now to improve their vigour and create new plants for your garden.

Borage

Borage is an edible plant that has been used medicinally since ancient times. It is nutritious, being a good source of vitamins, minerals and phenolic compounds, which have antioxidant properties.

Borage, (Borago officinalis) also known as burage, ox-tongue, bee plant, bee bread, or star flower, is an annual herb with pretty blue, star shaped, flowers that is thought to have originated from the north-eastern Mediterranean, and in particular the region that is now Syria. It grows satisfactorily in gardens in the UK climate, remaining in the garden from year to year by self-seeding. Borage flowers are cooked and eaten like spinach and borage seeds are used to make essential oil for medicinal uses.

The origins of borage can be traced back to ancient Greece and in particular Greek Mythology. Some experts believe that the herb called nepenthe, as described by the poet Homer, was in fact borage. A potion of nepenthe was given to Helen of Troy by the Egyptian queen Polidamma, in order to relieve her sorrow and encourage forgetfulness.

In ancient times borage is said to have been given to Roman soldiers before they marched in battle, in order to give them courage and to calm their nerves. However, it is more likely the courage was induced by the wine and brandy that the borage flowers were often steeped in, and the sense of comfort came from the sight of the colourful star-shaped flowers. The tradition of giving borage to warriors to induce courage continued through the time of the crusaders’ religious military campaigns, and into medieval times when men had borage flowers embroidered on their battle dress. Charles Dickens was also a fan of borage which he included in a potent punch made with brandy, sherry, cider, lemon juice and sugar.

Borage is used in companion planting. It is said to protect or nurse legumes, spinach, brassicas, and even strawberries. It is also said to be a good companion plant to tomatoes. Claims that it improves tomato growth and makes them taste better remain unsubstantiated.

Sources:
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borage

Knoji: https://herbalremedies.knoji.com/edible-flowers-borage-history-culinary-uses-and-nutrition/