growing comfrey

Posted by K. Neil on April 12, 2014 at 5:35am

Hello Everyone,

I was not sure where to post my comment, but thought this one might work :]

I am currently growing comfrey.  I wanted to bring it up because I know there had been some question about whether or not it could grow here (at least a couple of years ago during an herb class). 

I purchased some roots through the mail and planted them on the east side of a 3-ft block wall at the SE corner of my house.  Because I have flood irrigation that occurs every 13 days (except for winter), the comfrey are planted on a berm that rises up next to the wall.  The plants are not submerged in the water; the berm absorbs the water.  I do not give them additional water.  They get morning sun, but shade the rest of the day.  I have three surviving plants (the rest perished due to a number of reasons, including birds--some unestablished plants did not survive chicken and duck attacks) and they grow most of the year.  They die back about mid-winter, depending on the winter, but come back by early spring.  They are blooming right now, but my survivors are Blocking 14, which is sterile.

Is anyone else growing this plant?

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Replies

  • Kristi April 12, 2014 at 11:09am
    I had a really nice plant for about a year. Got a start from a friend in Show Low who has it by the bucket loads. It did reAlly great in a shady are of my yard. Gotta love those leaves. I'm not sure how it eventually met its fate. I thin I overwatered it we used the leaves in green smoothies.
    • K. Neil > Kristi April 12, 2014 at 5:46pm

      Do you harvest year-round or prefer certain times of the year?

      I hadn't thought of smoothies--at least the fuzzy leaves would not be a texture issue :]

  • chris trammell April 12, 2014 at 8:46am
    Yes, I bought two small comfrey plants at shamus tropical plants.You can find him on Craigslist he's off bell 35th ave.
    The one I bought had two small comfrey plants growing in it(15 bucks)I planted them 5 days ago in front yard (south facing) on the east side of my huge overgrown mulberry tree.I to am on irrigation. The plants appear to be doing well. I won't be watering in between irrigation to help the roots work for a living :-). He had them growing in a green house. I am unsure of variety but I know he said that he recieved them as root cuttings from back east.
    • K. Neil > chris trammell April 12, 2014 at 5:51pm

      Thanks, Chris.  Good to know they are available locally when I am ready to expand my crop.

  • Catherine, The Herb Lady April 12, 2014 at 8:40am

    Hi K. I am not growing it, but I thought folks might want to read up on its external medical uses.

    http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/comfrey-leaves-zma...

    • K. Neil > Catherine, The Herb Lady April 12, 2014 at 5:49pm

      Thanks, Catherine.  I read that article and have read about the apparent debate over whether or not it could be ingested and, if so, in what quantity.  I know I have read numerous articles about feeding it as part of the diet of livestock (birds and mammals) to keep them healthy (nutrients and immune support). Of course, there is also use as a compost ingredient.

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