Any ideas what this plant is?

[moggssue]

When I took over my allotment in mid December the first bed was a mass of dead leaves. Not being sure what it had been, I left well alone to see what would happen come spring ... the attached photos show what happened! These plants have started to sprout and I have no idea what they are? I left the dead leaves to act as frost cover, and in case they are home to any little creatures - now I'm hoping they might help one of you to help identify this plant for me?

[seasprout]

Could be comfrey. As it grows see if the leaves become slightly bristly.

[greenlung]

Hi - It looks like comfrey to me. Great for attracting bees, making a liquid feed from the leaves, (if you can stand the smell of the brew) and homeopathic remedies. aka 'knitbone'.

Of course, I might be wrong.

[Two_Sheds]

could be a few things... ask us again in a couple of weeks

[moggssue]

Okay, there goes the asparagus bed then I guess! I'll leave it alone for another couple of weeks to grow a bit more then post an updated photo.

If it IS comfrey, is there anything I ought to be doing to it now, just in case?

[Nicos]

If it is comfrey ( and from the dead leaves around the base, it could well be!) , then it'd be OK to move it now- esp if it's where you want your asparagus beds there.
Take loads of soil and it won't even notice!

Dig over the soil and remove all roots of any kind as asparagus beds need to be kept very clear of weeds.

Whatever it is....I'd move it anyway!

[piskieinboots]

If it is comfrey you can use it as a liquid feed, just put it into a net type bag and immerse in a bucket of water, poke it about a bit for two weeks. Mind, it'll be smelly!

Comfrey, as a feed, will supply calcium, iron, potassium, potash and magnesium.

[bluemoon]

I think it's comfrey too, but I wouldn't put an asparagus bed on top of it. Comfrey can be almost impossible to remove and asparagus needs to be placed where all trace of perennial weeds has gone.

[nick the grief]

Hi - It looks like comfrey to me. Great for attracting bees, making a liquid feed from the leaves, (if you can stand the smell of the brew) and homeopathic remedies. aka 'knitbone'.

Of course, I might be wrong.

Hasn't worked on my sons collar bone

[cottage garden]

I think it's comfrey too, but I wouldn't put an asparagus bed on top of it. Comfrey can be almost impossible to remove and asparagus needs to be placed where all trace of perennial weeds has gone.

Yes, if its an established plant it can be a nightmare to remove. I have tried and tried to move one of mine with no success. Still worth a try though incase it isn't very old. As Nicos says if you can move it with a large amount of soil it won't notice. I am beginning to think they are imossible to kill!

[Flummery]

Hi - It looks like comfrey to me. Great for attracting bees, making a liquid feed from the leaves, (if you can stand the smell of the brew) and homeopathic remedies. aka 'knitbone'.

Of course, I might be wrong.

I didn't think knitbone is to do with homeopathy. It produces thick mucus when the leaves are mashed up and it used to be smeared on a cloth bandage to set broken bones because it dries rock hard. The old equivalent of a 'pot' I gather.

[bluemoon]

If homeopathic remedies really do get stronger the more you dilute them how do you wash the bottles out?

[moggssue]

So, if I leave it where it is (on the front bed of the lottie) will it become a pain and get in the way? I can always put the asparagus on the other end of the plot, seems the easiest option?

And I cant join in the homeophothy discussion cos I dont know the first thing (but always willing to learn, as with all things!) - couldnt even SPELL it!!

[Flummery]

Our school joined with 4 others for a European scheme - involved staff visiting other schools and planning joint projects. (Comenius project for anyone interested). One of the joint efforts was for each school to have a small fountain - ours was an indoor one - with a bottle of water from each of the partner schools poured in. Naturally, it evaporated over time and had to be topped up. I used to refer to it as the homeopathic fountain.

[Brewer-again]

Thought for the week

Blue moon!

That is a very well observed statement.