Comfrey

[caroline7758]

There's been so much talk of comfrey lately, I feel I need to grow some! Can I still sow it now, or shall I wait until next spring?

[caroline7758]

[calendula]

either I should think but it would be quicker if you could beg some root off another plot holder - probably glad to have it cut down  ;D

[caroline7758]

Not sure anyone else on the site has any- must have a nosey!

[tonybloke]

make sure you get the 'bocking 14' strain, it's got the best nutrient levels, and doesn't  ;)set seed!!

[grawrc]

i know how useful it is but is comfrey not also a bit of a "thug"?

[asbean]

The bocking 14 (or Russian comfrey I think) is not supposed to be as invasive as the wild kind that seeds itself everywhere possible.  You can watch it grow, I've never seen anything grow like comfrey.

[weedgrower]

with comfrey you need to allocate it a bed for approx 20 years. i bought some roots of ebay and when they came they looked rubbish. i didnt think they would grow at all. they looked just like stumps of twig. anyway planted them as per instruction and am glad i did. i have just taken my 3rd cutting of them and use the feed on alsorts. i put the leaves and stalkes in a netting back and soak in a barrel of water. i cetainly wouldnt be without it. wear gloves when handling it as it can cause irritation to the skin

[Robert_Brenchley]

It's indestructible, and once it's been in a bed, it's extremely difficult to get rid of. I have the native sort, and I've never found it spread or seeded, despite what other people say.

[gowdin]

hi
an old guy many years ago told me of comfrey tea
which is comfrey leaves steeped in urine be very careful where you put it though it absolutly stinks
but by `eck it does a brilliant job

[Robert_Brenchley]

Pile the comfrey up in a barrel or something, and leave it to rot. You can take the liquid form the bottom.

[Amazin]

I got a postcard from Australia the other day. It read:

With Best Wishes,

             Your Comfrey roots

PS. Stop nicking our leaves!

[star]

 ;D ;D ;D ;D

[caroline7758]

Think I might grow it in a big pot!

[sawfish]

have a scout about on bits of waste land, you usually see it growing wild. I wouldn't want it actually growing in my plot.