Comfrey In Containers?

[broadway]

Hi All,

I’ve been reading the merits of Comfrey unfortunately I don’t have a lot of space to play with. Is there any benefit to me growing it in containers?

[Demeter]

Not really. The reason comfrey is so great is because it sends long roots down to get nutrients from where the other plants can't reach, then you can recycle the nutrients to fertilise your veg. Clearly that doesn't work if the roots are confined in a container!

[broadway]

Fair point Demeter,

I only have 4 small veg beds and my aim is to use them all year round. I may consider keeping one bare and planting comfrey on a 4 year cycle if it's worth while?

[selfraising]

Hi Broadway
I don't have much space either so my comfrey is in a largish container. It is in its second year and is doing well. I harvest the leaves, chop them up and either mix into my raised beds or put in the compost bin. The leaves also contain a lot of nutrients and can also be used as a mulch.

Demete I'm sure the roots also hold a lot of nutrients but I don't have the room

[smallblueplanet]

Can't see the point in wasting limited space (either beds or containers) growing comfrey on one of your veg beds - if you wanted you could increase the beds fertility using 'green manures' which normally get dug in the bed before use.

[selfraising]

I agree with you sbp that green manures are another option. However, if you want to grow veg over winter as well, as I do, then I'm not sure the bed is going to be empty long enough to sow green manure.

[smallblueplanet]

So just use the compost you use in the container where you'd use the comfrey?

[zazen999]

Fair point Demeter,

I only have 4 small veg beds and my aim is to use them all year round. I may consider keeping one bare and planting comfrey on a 4 year cycle if it's worth while?

I wouldn't personally, it's good stuff but not at the expense of actual crops.

Plus, they propagate by root cuttings, so you would quickly end up with 4 comfrey beds.

[broadway]

After reading your replies I'll put the comfrey on-hold.

Thanks Folks