Probably one of the most useful, beneficial plants you can grow that has one of the worst reputations of any plant! In our 6 years of growing this plant, it has never spread unless disturbed. ...

Does comfrey spread easily?

They are hybrids of true comfrey and another variety called prickly comfrey. While true comfrey can spread easily, Russian comfrey has sterile seed, so it won't take over the garden. ... This is what really makes this plant a star in the permaculture garden: its ability to feed the soil with nutrient-rich leaves.

Is Bocking 14 comfrey invasive?

Between the self-seeding and root regrowth, comfrey can become invasive. There is a sterile species of comfrey, Symphytum x uplandicum 'Bocking 14', which eliminates the self-seeding problem in the garden. ... Wear gloves when cutting comfrey as the hairy leaves and stems can irritate skin. Fertilizer Uses of Comfrey.

How fast does comfrey spread?

Strong, mature plants on a 3 foot grid will have the larger outside leaves touching the adjacent plants after 4 to 5 weeks growth. Comfrey can also be grown indoors, in pots (1 to 5 gallon size) for a continuous harvest of fresh, small leaves.

Does comfrey spread by seed?

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.

Comfrey - Bocking 14 - Organic Fertilizer

42 related questions found

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 plant comfrey Bocking 14?

Insert a spade across the middle of the plant and cut straight down, splitting the plant in two. Dig up half and fill the hole left with compost or a compost and soil mix. The half of the plant left in the ground will recover and be as productive as the other plants in the comfrey bed in a year's time.

Does comfrey come back every year?

Extremely cold hardy perennials, comfrey plants become dormant in winter and re-emerge every spring.

How do I get rid of comfrey in my garden UK?

You can get rid of comfrey in your garden by using organic acids like acetic acid and citric acid. You can uproot or dig the plant out of the ground and use it in compost, mulch, or liquid fertilizer. Or you can use a chemical like Glyphosate to get rid of the comfrey plant.

Should you cut back comfrey?

Cultivation of Comfrey

In the first year (second for autumn planted) allow the plants to grow to the point where it throws up flower stalks and then cut back to about 15cm (6″) from the ground. Leaving the cut leaves on the ground as a weed suppressing mulch will return some of the goodness back to the plant.

Why was comfrey banned?

It's considered unsafe, due to the pyrrolizidine alkaloids that comfrey contains. These are dangerous chemicals that can cause cancer, severe liver damage, and even death when you consume them. For this reason, the Food and Drug Administration and European countries have banned oral comfrey products.

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. ... The deep tap root captures potassium and other nutrients far below the surface, making them available as mulch when the plant dies back each season.

Is comfrey invasive in Wisconsin?

Once planted, comfrey can be very difficult to dig out because any small section of root left behind can sprout a new plant. Planting in large containers may help restrain its spread. ... This plant has been found to be weedy and potentially invasive and should not be planted in Midwestern gardens.

What can I do with comfrey stems?

7 Best Uses for Comfrey

1. Vigorous comfrey plants regrow after greens are harvested for compost or mulch.
2. Garlic is tucked in with a double mulch of chopped comfrey and rotted hay.
3. A comfrey root poultice can speed healing of sprains and bruises.
4. Use dried leaves to make comfrey tea for houseplants.

Do slugs eat comfrey?

Sacrificial Comfrey, Sharp Stuff, and Slug Races

'Slugs love comfrey! ' says the book, before advising the reader to plant comfrey in slug hotspots. After a couple of days, pick the greedy guts off the comfrey and dispose of as you see fit.

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. ... Comfrey outcompetes weeds and helps maintain a ground cover at the same time. Young trees need nutrients that can be trapped in soil and take time for a tree to find these.

How many varieties of comfrey are there?

There are up to 35 species, known by the common name comfrey (pronounced /ˈkʌmfri/). Some species and hybrids, particularly S. officinale and S. × uplandicum, are used in gardening and herbal medicine.

How deep do comfrey roots go?

The Comfrey has deep roots of up to 2 m that utilize nutrients deep in the subsoil that would otherwise wash away with the underground soil water or remain inaccessible to other plants.

When should I plant comfrey?

Sow and Plant

New growth emerges in mid-spring, followed by flowers that attract pollinators in early summer.

Is Russian comfrey the same as Bocking 14?

Russian Comfrey #4 and #14 Are Similar

Both Bocking #4 and #14 can be used as garden fertilizer, compost activator, mulch, medicine, or be fed to animals as fodder. Both reduce transplant shock of plants.

What is the difference between common comfrey and Russian comfrey?

Flowers of common comfrey are usually creamy yellow, but white, red, or purple types have been found in Europe. Prickly comfrey has pink and blue flowers while Russian comfrey has blue, purple, or red-purple flowers. Tuberous comfrey has creamy white flowers.

What is comfrey good for 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. ... As they break down, the plant roots will access the potassium-rich fertiliser.

Can you smother comfrey?

It's hard to kill a comfrey plant, but it seems that if it gets smothered by a heavy winter cover crop, it will do just that -- die. So during the cool season when the comfrey goes a bit dormant, I try to keep my winter crops from crowding it too closely. Since I broadcast my winter seed, I've got to be careful.