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Comfrey can grow in full sun to partial shade, meaning it needs at least three hours of direct sunlight on most days. In the warmer parts of its growing zones, plant it where it will get shade from the strong afternoon sun.5 days ago.
Where does comfrey grow best?
This perennial herb grows in USDA growing zones 3-9. Although comfrey is tolerant of a variety of growing conditions, I’ve found it grows best in full to partial sun and in rich, loosened soil. The more compacted the soil is, the more shade it prefers.
How does comfrey spread?
Does Comfrey Spread? Our comfrey does not produce viable seed and stays in place. It will only spread if disturbed because any piece of comfrey root will make a new plant. So any digging or rototilling near comfrey will result in new plants.
Does comfrey come back every year?
Extremely cold hardy perennials, comfrey plants become dormant in winter and re-emerge every spring.
How do you use comfrey in the garden?
Use as a mulch. Chop up comfrey leaves with grass cuttings, and place a 5cm layer on the surface of the soil around all plants. This will slowly rot down to provide nutrients, and act as a mulch to keep in moisture and help control weeds. Add fresh cut leaves to your leaf mould heap.
When should I plant comfrey?
When to Plant Comfrey Ideally plant out offsets in March, April and May or in September. September plantings may not show until the following spring. Late planted offsets in pots can be moved into the greenhouse or a cold frame in late January, early.
Does comfrey grow in shade?
Comfrey can be grown in full sun or partial shade in most deep soils. Shallow soils will be a problem, though. Comfrey will grow without extra fertility, but to keep yields up year after year, top-dress with compost, spent mushroom compost or manure.
What do you do with comfrey?
7 Best Uses for Comfrey Vigorous comfrey plants regrow after greens are harvested for compost or mulch. Garlic is tucked in with a double mulch of chopped comfrey and rotted hay. A comfrey root poultice can speed healing of sprains and bruises. Use dried leaves to make comfrey tea for houseplants.
Is comfrey toxic to dogs?
But be warned, dogs should not eat or lick it, as it can be toxic to them and will cause gastrointestinal problems if ingested in large amounts. Although comfrey also contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, primarily on the root, which cause liver problems when ingested in large quantities.
Is comfrey a good companion plant?
A Great Companion Plant Comfrey is an awesome companion plant for several reasons, If you have fruit trees or an orchard, I suggest growing them there. Comfrey’s long tap root helps it to be a pretty drought-tolerant herb, allowing it to keep large leaves all season long.
Can comfrey survive winter?
As for the original posters question, comfrey dies back in winter and leaves bare earth. That is its nature, but also it’s strength. The leaves fall to the ground and as they break down they enrich the soil, feeding the microbial life and adding nutrients.
Is comfrey good for tomatoes?
Comfrey has very deep roots, which means it extracts large quantities of nutrients from far below the soil’s surface, inaccessible to other plants. It’s especially rich in potassium, making it the ideal feed to promote flowers and fruits in a range of plants, including tomatoes.
Are borage and comfrey the same thing?
Though they are members of the same plant family (Boraginaceae), perennial comfrey (Symphytum officinale, USDA zones 4-8) and annual borage (Borago officinalis) are two different plants. These cousins both boast dark green foliage and fuzzy leaves.
Can comfrey be cut back?
Comfrey is a hardy plant and grows so vigorously that it can overtake an area in a single growing season. Cutting your plant back will only encourage additional stem and leaf growth. Go ahead and cut away the flowering stalk. As you’re harvesting, allow some leaves to remain near the soil level to help feed the roots.
Can you plant comfrey next to fruit trees?
Comfrey as a Companion Plant Growing comfrey under fruit trees and shrubs in the Permaculture Orchard creates an incredible companionship. Establishing a weed free bed around your trees ensures that they can establish themselves without having to compete with grasses and weeds for nutrients.
How do you stop comfrey from spreading?
Cut sheets large enough to cover the comfrey patch from a roll of 1-millimeter black plastic mulch, using scissors. If you have a large comfrey patch, cut an extra sheet or two so you can overlap them and prevent the comfrey from growing through. Plastic mulch usually comes in 3-, 4- and 5-foot wide rolls.
How do you grow comfrey?
Comfrey can be propagated by root cuttings or crown division. Root cuttings are the most economical, cut pieces of root 3 cm long and lay horizontally in a prepared garden site or a styrofoam box filled with potting mix. The cuttings should be buried 3 cm deep. Keep moist until the first leaves appear.
What to do with comfrey after flowering?
If you have a good year, then the plants will throw another flush of flowers and you cut as before. After September, leave the plants uncut and the leaves to die of naturally. Come the winter when the plants have died back, spreading a mulch of manure or compost will get them off to a good start next year.
What is the difference between common comfrey and Russian comfrey?
Common comfrey (S. officinale) has long been cultivated primarily as a medicinal herb, while prickly comfrey from the Caucuses (S. asperum) is grown mainly as an ornamental. Russian comfrey, which is a hybrid between common and prickly comfrey, comes in many variations and grows mainly independently.
