This is my comfrey that another member sent me the roots on earlier this year. I have them planted in 2 different areas. This one is coming along great. The other one, might need something else added to the soil by now.
Comfrey
Now that you have comfrey, you will always have comfrey. You will never be able to dig them out. Here, they don't exactly take over like some things I have grown, but you just can't move them and expect their old home to be free of them. They will grow again, and again and again. So, I would guess that those two are enough. When they flower, I cut them down and add them to my compost. They are noted for making great compost. I do this three times a year. I am scared to use them medicinally because of all the warnings.
That is a fine spot for me to have them in. When we got here, we couldn't even get the back door open, for the rose bushes vining all over the place. If the comfrey grows nice and tall, and wide, and adds a little shade..it will be fine with me.
I have plans to use comfrey topically only, as it is not to be taken internally, or used on broken skin. And, it's other uses, for adding nitrogen to the soil, and use as side dressing etc....we need all the help we can get in that dept here.
Moxie---Are they good for arthritis--topically--do you know? If so, I should try it on my husband. I certainly have lots of comfrey leaves.
I just google things I don't know. But, old history information, might help more. Have you ever read Foxfire? Rabun Gap GA....a highschool did some family research on everything ....crops, herbs, etc....back in the 60's. They were interviewing friends and family...elderly ones.
Hm-m-m I thought Foxfire was a search engine. Yes, I will try to Google it.
Foxfire= " The Foxfire magazine began in 1966, written and published as a quarterly American magazine by students at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, a private secondary education school located in the U.S. state of Georgia. An example of experiential education, the magazine had articles based on the students' interviews with local people about aspects and practices in Appalachian culture. They captured oral history, craft traditions, and other material about the culture. When the articles were collected and published in book form in 1972, it became a surprising best-seller nationally and gained attention for the Foxfire project.
The magazine was named for foxfire, a term for a naturally occurring bioluminescent in fungi in the forests of North Georgia. In 1977 the Foxfire project moved from the private Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School to the public Rabun County High School. Additional books were published, and with profits from magazine and book sales, the students created a not-for-profit educational and literary organization and a museum. The Foxfire program has been shifted from the English to the business curriculum. Nationally, the Foxfire model has inspired numerous school systems to develop their own experiential education programs."
Firefox ~ is the search engine... or was that the Clint Eastwood movie? I'm so confused. LOL
Moxies_garden ~ how are you planning to use your Comfrey?
Gm podster!! I have just started using my comfey...from accidental necessity. Last week, I either badly sprained or broke my left lttle toe. I waited for the broken skin to heal, and made a poultice yesterday. Left it applied for 1 hour, then, cleaned off my foot with cool water. It feels and looks remarkedly better. I am right now making another one. I have so much to get caught back up on around here, after being out of commision for a week. So I need some good healing going on. My fiance was impressed with the results too, after looking at my foot this morning. I have been reading extensively on comfrey, this past week. Mostly online sites. As long as it is not taken internally, or applied to broken skin, it should remain safe.
Yes, I agree. I also use it for fertilizer. I make a plant tea using chopped comfrey leaves and water. I put it in a container to steep. Protected from my pets of course. After brewing for a week or so, I use it to water plants. You can also add the dried leaves to your beds and your compost pile. Just make sure they are dry so they don't root and take off. The plants will also enhance the soil by drawing nutrients to the roots.
Mine are not that far along yet...and I have plenty of medicinal uses for them before the garden and compost get them. :))
I am pouring the leavings from the poultice in my compost right now. I figure it can't hurt any.
Wow! This is a great forum. Podster, I have always just cut and thrown them into my compost. They have never rooted, but maybe i should be more careful. My composter is enclosed and the leaves just lay there on top. Maybe they dry right in the compost. Guess i will use chopped leaves around plants and maybe try the tea. All sounds good to me.
Actually you are correct, the leaves won't create a problem unless there is some root included. My gaff... thanks!