I've inherited a large patch of Comfrey (sp?) on my new allotment, I don't know anything about it at all, is it edible? any use? or should I just dig it up and put it in the compost bin? Thanks.
I planted some on a slop at the bottom of my plot and it seems to bloke out knotweed.
I'm going to look into using it as a green manure, there will be a thread on it here somewhere but this may help....
http://houseofstrauss.co.uk/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=67
:o
Amazingly valuable stuff! DO NOT GET RID OF IT! Sorry about the caps, get a bit evangelical about comfrey, me...
It has millions of uses. Put the leaves in the bottom of your runner bean trench and peeps will be impressed next year. Put a load of the leaves in a sack then put that in a water butt or similar and the resulting liquid can be used as an organic feed for most things (be warned, it niffs something terrible!)
Others will be along with more uses, but most will probably agree that it is green gold!
Hang on to it and think yourself lucky to have such a great freebie!
;)
Agreed - hang on to it. It is SOOOOO useful
If going the geen manure way..
I used nettles dissolved in water for the first time this year (bet I read about it on A4A) and I was amazed by the results, my lettuce doubled in size within a week of being watered.
I have been told it works very well in the trenches for spuds but haven't tried it yet. (will next year and report results)
I cover my tomato beds with the leaves instead of using feed. By all means add it to your compost at this time of year as it adds valuable nurients to the compost, but through the Summer you can cut it down for feed and it will regrow.
Check out this link....http://tinyurl.com/2z2xrx (http://tinyurl.com/2z2xrx)
Geo.. :)
Funnily enough I was readinf Richard Mabey's 'Food For Free' book this morning and saw a couple of tasty recipes for Comfrey!
Comfrey & Peanut:
2oz sunflower oil, 4oz onion chopped, 2oz unsalted peanuts, 1lb comfrey leaves chopped, salt & pepper
Heat oil, add onion until slightly brown,. Add nuts & cook for 2 minutes, add comfrey leaves & saute for approx 15 minutes until all liquid is absorbed. Add salt/pepper
Comfrey Fritters:
4oz flour, 1/4 pint tepid water, comfrey leaves, 1 egg, pinch salt/cayenne pepper, hot fat for frying
Seperate egg white and yolk. Sieve flour & salt, make a well in the middle and add egg yolk. Add water mixing slowly with wooden spoon, work in the flour and leave to stand. Whip egg white until stiff and fold into mixture. Pick comfrey leaves with small amount of stalk, wash & dry well. Dip in the batter and deep fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt & cayenne.
YUM ;D
personally I think comfrey is fine to eat, or make a nice tea, but "Food for Free" came out a long time before several countries banned comfrey, cus of concerns about alkaloids causing liver problems
http://www.herbsarespecial.com.au/free-herb-information/comfrey.html (http://www.herbsarespecial.com.au/free-herb-information/comfrey.html)
for all I know borage went the same way, but I don't care
Oh! dear.
Is borage a problem?
In my secret book, it's as good as 'happy baccie' and has been used for yonks for depression
etc. - not that I have probs. on that front. I just keep supping the red wine!
no i'm sure borage isn't a problem, and i'm sure comfrey isn'y either. I just remembered that some countries banned alternative medical preparations made from comfrey.
what's this secret book? you're not smoking the stuff???
Janet & John Get High!