Comfrey Vegetable Fruit Seeds Veg Seeds Cabbage Carrot Sweetcorn Tomato Strawberry (Comfrey)

Comfrey Vegetable Fruit Seeds Veg Seeds Cabbage Carrot Sweetcorn Tomato Strawberry (Comfrey) Description

In case you're not familiar with comfrey (Symphytum Officinale), it's a member of the borage family, a strong-growing perennial with somewhat hairy leaves 12 to 18 inches long, rising on short stems from a central crown. The flower is a pretty blue bell, fading to pink. We don't wait to see the blossoms, however, because the foliage is at its best if cut before blooming time. The plant reaches a height of over two feet and spreads to more than a yard across, but, since comfrey doesn't throw out creeping roots and hardly ever sets seed, it's remarkably non-invasive for such a sturdy being. Comfrey leaves have high moisture content and dry more slowly than some of the herbs you may be used to working with. Just give them a little extra time. Make sure the leaves are crumbly before you store them, though, since any remaining dampness will cause mould. Then pack the foliage into jars and close the containers tightly. Sow seeds indoors in autumn or sow directly in spring. To produce a heavy yield, comfrey plants must establish before winter. Sow seeds indoors in pots in autumn and plant out in spring or sow in spring directly where they are to grow. Sowing; Sow seeds thinly in early in spring. Water well until the plants are established. Once the plants are large enough to handle, thin the seedlings to 30 to 40cm (12 to 16in) and arranging the plants in rows 90cm (36in) apart. Indoors; Fill 10cm (4in) pots with a decent potting mix, plant two seeds per pot, about 6mm / 1 4 in down), Water well as required. In May, transplant outdoors to a prepared comfrey bed (as above). Arrange the plants in rows 90cm (36in) apart. Cultivation; Water as needed during dry periods. Hoe between the plants to get rid of weeds. Enrich the soil regularly with compost or manure. Divide plants with multiple crowns or dig up part of the root and replant. Divisions or transplants can be planted up to early October. Cut leaves regularly from the base. This will stop flowering and allow the plant to put more energy into producing leaves. Once comfrey starts growing, it doesn't stop until the first cold snap. In the winter the plants go dormant and a good layer of manure can be applied. To get further plants, push your spade through the middle of a plant and lever up a portion. Take root cuttings (about 2 inches long) and away you go again. Be careful as the bits left over will happily root wherever they fall.