Where to plant Comfrey

[4Shoes]

Going to grow Comfrey. I have lots of possible locations, but where best?

Next to the Water Butt to make tea.
Next to the compost heap
Under a hedge
Near future pond site (for Ducks)
In the chicken area - Do they like comfrey? to munch down if it gets out of control

[veggiechicken]

Which comfrey is it?
Sterile Bocking (which doesn't seed) or one of the others which self seed everywhere?

[nickdub]

Main thing is to plant it somewhere that it doesn't get in the way, as moving it without the parts left in the soil regrowing is next to impossible, unless you use weedkiller.

I've got mine on a bit of rough bank which would be awkward to grow anything else - the only downside being that of standing on the angle when cutting it.

Bare in mind that comfrey does need a reasonable amount of sun, and that as it is a permanent placement you need to get rid of any perennial weeds like couch or bindweed before planting.

[4Shoes]

I'm growing from seed, so are the not the blocking type.

I have a bit of orra (rough) land that was once a road, so not a great loss if it spreads., but a bit away from proposed compost sites and water butts

Perhaps put in centre of proposed chicken area, then if it is in wrong place, chickens can kill it off

The field still needs wind breaks, so sun not a problem today.

[nickdub]

If you know anyone with some get them to dig up a bit of root for you. Even pieces only 1 inch long will grow into a new plant quite quickly.

[Cadalot]

4 Shoes don't grow from seed read Alans Allotment: Comfrey From Seed - DO NOT DO IT

I have three comfrey beds on each of my allotments take a look at Alans Allotment: Comfrey

[alldigging]

I've got both types. The seeding stuff is in a very damp bed. I can crop it repeatedly.
The other stuff are much bigger plants and probably have spread more. I have noticed a stray bit of comfrey on another bed but it pulls out very easy and then goes in the tub of bits to plant elsewhere.

[4Shoes]

As you can see my garden is not exactly a well managed Allotment

Currently I have an allotment sized area for veg with a temporary Green Debris netting barrier round it to keep out the rabbits, and similar sized area for fruit trees and a Strawberry Bed. Everything else is overgrown grass, willow herb, orra ground and some concrete (about 2 allotments worth).

Sure there is a corner where wild things could grow.

But is real answer is to grow comfrey as close to where the compost heap is, which should be next to main source of waste material, then near to proposed chicken area or polytunnel would be the answer. in the later case, blocking comfrey would be more appropriate.

More thinking required.

[Baldy]

Looks more like a Moor...
Happy to post you some Bocking rootlets if you decide to be wise...

[Baldy]

I say Bocking... They've never self seeded but I haven't got a certificate....

[4Shoes]

Looks more like a Moor...
Happy to post you some Bocking rootlets if you decide to be wise...

It's just a field of overgrown grass.
Hear last hay crop was about 10 years ago.
The orra bit is covered with willow herb and nettles, with an under cover rhubarb patch has an old track running through it with a half dozen young trees

[ancee]

I had a lump off a friends allotment. I just split it to divide it and now have abut 6 hefty plants around the garden. It is hard to dig out though as the root is thick and goes down a long way. I wouldn't be without it though - an excellent plant. In the summer it is alive with every kind of pollinator and literally buzzes! I can spend a good amount of time just sitting watching the goings on as critters come and go. It's brilliant actually

[Cath.S]

Hi

Newbie here, so probably a stupid question, does bocking 14 spread like the one that sets seed? Someone told me when comfrey (didn't tell me what kind) comes back after winter, it'll come back with more than one plant. I have s. officinale seeds and I'm a bit worried about using them now after reading they spread a lot. I don't have a lot of space, but comfrey's pros seem to outweigh the cons.

Thank you in advance.

[Snoop Puss]

^I've just read Cadalot's post on his blog about his allotment neighbour. After reading that, I wouldn't sow it. If you've not read it, check message six on page one of this thread for Cadalot's link.

[Cadalot]

In many ways that's another reason I don't mind giving up the Spencer Road plot, as they didn't manage it even after I told them not to let it go to seed. There are photos on my blog on how fast 2year old comfrey grows. I will be potting in another comfrey bed on my new plot next to my existing plot, but it will come from root cuttings from my original Blocking 14.