"Growing Comfrey"
Comfrey is, however, still used in external preparations to heal wounds. And is considered perfectly safe to use as a green manure or animal feed crop.
-More details on this edu website. growing comfrey and more!
  Planting comfrey
Comfrey is a deep-rooted plant and will not do particularly well on shallow soil. Prefers a fertile soil, as do most plants, but is a hardy perrenial and will propogate year after year if situated well. Position in a sunny spot, although full sun is not essential.
Start your comfrey patch with small plants, root cuttings or pieces of the crown of an established plant.
Plant root cuttings 2-4 inches deep depending on the size of the cutting, laying the root cutting flat in the dug hole. Water well and let it grow!! Growing comfrey in your garden should be planned well, as it will grow bigger every year. One of the major practical uses for the average gardener is growing comfrey as a green manure. You can simply lay the harvested leaves on the ground around your vegetables to mulch or you can go all out and make your very own organic feed. We've been using this fertilizing method for a number of years and have had great results.
If you have enough space growing comfrey will provide a tonic for your vegetable patch. The tonic allows the plants to extract more nutrients from the soil. First you need a container, preferably the size of a small dustbin, with a tap near the bottom. A small filter should also be used to avoid clogging the system. It must have a lid, and you will need a weighty object such as a large flattish stone, almost the size of the radius of your container. Raise your container off the ground, leaving enough room to comfortably place a watering can under the tap.
 Collect as much comfrey as you can and pack it into the container. Place your heavy object on the leaves to hold them down, and cover them with water. Put the lid on and forget about it for a couple of weeks.
When you’re ready to feed your plants, first put a peg on your nose, or don’t breathe in too hard, ( it really hums! ) and collect from the tap about a litre of the green slimy liquid into your watering can. Top up the can with fresh water and feed your veggies. An exact ratio of feed to water isn’t necessary but don’t put it on the ground undiluted. It’s too strong for most small plants.
Try and use all the available feed in one go, clear out the slush ( put it directly on the compost heap) then make some more. Comfrey can be easily cut three or four times a year, but if you find a shortage ocurring, try adding a few nettles to your mix. Growing comfrey in your garden provides an organic food for your vegetable patch without costing a bean!
 ************************************************* Happy Gardening! Herb Gardening: Herbs are becoming recognised more and more as superfoods, as if we didn't know that really! 'Herb Gardening' has been beautifully put together by the publisher (Crowood Press) into a well presented book with full colour photos.
 Along with the growing instructions for forty different herbs, there are lots of great ideas, including culinary delights and medicinal alternatives. You'll also find gardening advice as well as some ideas on planning a herb garden. Order it now direct from the
publisher... Herb Gardening
Back To Garden Herbs Page Back to Flower and Garden Tips Homepage Click Here to Subscribe to "Creative Gardening" - Your FREE monthly ezine! www.flower-and-garden-tips.com/growingcomfrey.html |