We’ve been growing borage for several years on our farm on the Yorkshire Wolds. Although it’s not the most straightforward crop to grow, it’s a fascinating process and when the purple/blue flowers are in full bloom, they really are a sight to behold amongst the sea of green, gold (oil seed rape) and red (poppies) in midsummer.

Whenever we mention growing borage, people are always curious to know the end product of such an unusual crop. The answer is that it is used in the health supplements sector as starflower oil. As shown on the photograph below, the black borage seeds are cleaned and dried before the oil is extracted to be turned into capsules and tablets.

High in GLA (Gamma-Linolenic Acid), an omega 6 fatty acid, starflower oil is thought to be good for heart function and skin disorders, as well as rheumatoid arthritis, due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

We sow borage in the spring, with the beautiful blue flowers making an appearance in July. At this point, the number of residents on the farm increases considerably when we invite local beekeepers to bring their hives into the field.

The crop needs pollinators to pollinate the borage, bees love borage and beekeepers love the delicious clear, colourless honey the borage produces, so it really is a win-win situation!

Once the last of the flowers has been pollinated, usually around mid-August, the swather comes in to cut down the plants. The plants are left in the field in rows (“swaths”) to dry and this is a time when we sincerely hope for dry weather! If the borage is left in the swath for too long or during particularly inclement weather, there is a risk that the seeds will fall from the plant onto the ground where it cannot be harvested or collected.

An interesting aside; I was listening to the radio the other day. The programme was all about the origin of words. One word was “swathe” (the “a” being long as in “wave”). Although I have heard commentators say something like “there is a huge swathe of the people voting for… ” I hadn’t thought about it being the same word that we use in the farming fraternity because it is pronounced so differently.  We pronounce “swath” with a short “a” almost sounding like an “o” (like “moth”). The programme confirmed that it is the same. Apparently it is the amount of grass you can cut with one swipe of a scythe or the row of grass left afterwards.  You learn something every day!

Once the swath is dry, we bring in a combine to lift it and separate the black borage seeds from the rest of the plant. At this point, we can breathe a sigh of relief that our part of the process has ended!

Although not straightforward, growing borage on our farm really is a fascinating process and with concern over the conservation of bees, it has the added benefit of keeping the local bee population happy. We’re pleased to be able to do our bit for the cause.

Rob.