Topic: comfrey

[blackcountrysteve]

was planning planting some of this in 2010, for use to make liquid feed and pop it in the compost heap

has anyone got any tips on growing or how much to sow?
or any other uses of the plant

many thanks and hope you all had a good christmas

[caroline7758]

Put comfrey into the search on here and you'll find lots of advice.

[tonybloke]

have a read of this, then p.m. me for a root cutting in the spring (bocking 14)
http://www.allotment.org.uk/vegetable/comfrey/comfrey.PDF
 ;)

[blackcountrysteve]

tony that's a superb article and i will take up your kind offer aswell with thanks
hopefully i will be able to return a favour your way

steve

[Mr Smith]

I purchased some comfrey off e-bay a couple of years ago and it just grows like wild fire, I tend to have one water butt with a netting ball of comfrey in for liquid fertilizer, :)

[Yorkshire Sam]

I have 5 plants growing in a seperate bed (bocking 14) and I 'harvest' them 4 times a year. They keep me in liquid feed, compost accelerator, potato bed lining  and I still have loads left to feed the chickens who love it!
Great stuff but probably dont need this many its quite strong growing stuff

[gwynleg]

I wonder what I am doing wrong.... Comfrey is meant to grow like wildfire? I have 5-6 plants (bocking 14) and they have looked poorly ever since they went in over a year ago. Only thing may be that they possibly compete with nearby horseradish but otherwise a bit disappointing. I am also the only person I know who has trouble growing mint.....

[PurpleHeather]

well done Tony that was helpfull

It does get my goat when newbies come on for advice and get curt replies about using search.

We are here to do what we can to help and you did exactly that and a special welcome black country steve.  Most of us here are friendly and want to help one another, no matter how little we know................

[tonybloke]

I wonder what I am doing wrong.... Comfrey is meant to grow like wildfire? I have 5-6 plants (bocking 14) and they have looked poorly ever since they went in over a year ago. Only thing may be that they possibly compete with nearby horseradish but otherwise a bit disappointing. I am also the only person I know who has trouble growing mint.....

what is your soil type? have you done a soil 'profile', or a P.H. Test?. give us some info, perhaps we can help!

[gwynleg]

thanks tonybloke - dont know what my soil type is. Grow most things successfully (although also useless at carrots). It drains fairly well although occasional bits of clay hold that up. Maybe I should get a soil testing kit and be a bit more scientific about it, thanks

[tonybloke]

thanks tonybloke - dont know what my soil type is. Grow most things successfully (although also useless at carrots). It drains fairly well although occasional bits of clay hold that up. Maybe I should get a soil testing kit and be a bit more scientific about it, thanks

first thing to do is 'dig a hole' literally!
make the hole at least 500 mm (18") deep, (1metre or yard is preferable), and to have at least 1  totaly vertical side. Take a photo,(of the vertical side) and post it on here. ;)

[kingston boy]

If space is limited why dont you try some Comfrey blocks? They are available from Chase Organic. Have a look and you'll see they will work just as well but leave you more growing space

[Squash64]

have a read of this, then p.m. me for a root cutting in the spring (bocking 14)
http://www.allotment.org.uk/vegetable/comfrey/comfrey.PDF
 ;)

Thanks for that link Tony, it is very useful.  I've sent it to over 50 of our plotholders who are on our email group.

[tonybloke]

have a read of this, then p.m. me for a root cutting in the spring (bocking 14)
http://www.allotment.org.uk/vegetable/comfrey/comfrey.PDF
 ;)

Thanks for that link Tony, it is very useful.  I've sent it to over 50 of our plotholders who are on our email group.

your more than welcome Betty, I'll pass on any more good links i get for you
happy new year.

[Squash64]

Thanks Tony.  :)

When I sent the email to our plotholders, I mentioned that I have comfrey roots people can have (in the spring) and I've already had replies asking for some.

Happy New Year to you too  :)