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Whilst having a chat with my neighbour the other day about gardening, he brought to my attention the benefits of Comfrey as a fertilizer. I had never heard of it before but when I googled it I realised that it is the tall plant that can be found by rivers and streams that has pink bell like flowers on it.
Has anyone used it?
I understand that because it is very high in nitrogen it can be rotted down to produce a liquid feed that you dilute in water. And also, if added to leaf mould for example in a composter it makes a great compost.
I will get some from the canal and have a go at draining some of the fertilizer from it.
Any thoughts on the success of this would be greatly appreciated. I make leaf mould from the beech leaves from my tree, so I reckon some of this mixed in with it should get the heap going nicely.
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Are you Comfrey?
#2
- Group: Frouks
- Posts: 1815
- Joined: 12-April 06
- LocationHoylake, Wirral
Posted --
Yes Comfrey fertilizer is very good. I've pulled out a good few comfrey plants at the allotment this afternoon - could mail them to you Chris ;)
Failing having any comfrey is not a problem - nettle fertilizer is good stuff as well but it stinks something rotten ...
Failing having any comfrey is not a problem - nettle fertilizer is good stuff as well but it stinks something rotten ...
#3
- Group: Synoptic Discussion
- Posts: 3573
- Joined: 25-December 04
- LocationMidford, nr Bath
Posted --
Comfrey doesn't smell too good either!
But yes, it's good stuff. Can recommend it.
But yes, it's good stuff. Can recommend it.
#4
- Group: Registered Climate Users
- Posts: 16835
- Joined: 31-May 06
- LocationTonbridge, Kent. 44m asl.
Posted --
Comfrey fertilizer (high in nitrogen) supposed to be very good for potatoes. Also used to be used in poultices in "the old days" as it has healing properties.
#5
Posted --
Will have to look this up. Accumulate literally tons of leaves during the Autumn off the Magnolia and Maple, so if Comfrey improves the quality of leaf mould, all to the good. I intend to extend the aerial extent of my veggie growing areas significantly this Autumn, which is likely to mean loads of spuds to clear the ground next year.
N.
#6 Guest_Chris Lloyd_*
Posted --
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Singo - 24/7/2011 23:25
Yes Comfrey fertilizer is very good. I've pulled out a good few comfrey plants at the allotment this afternoon - could mail them to you Chris ;)
Failing having any comfrey is not a problem - nettle fertilizer is good stuff as well but it stinks something rotten ...
Yes Comfrey fertilizer is very good. I've pulled out a good few comfrey plants at the allotment this afternoon - could mail them to you Chris ;)
Failing having any comfrey is not a problem - nettle fertilizer is good stuff as well but it stinks something rotten ...
Yes, I heard it smells pretty awful.
I know, why don't you just mulch them down for me, put the hard earned liquid fertilizer in a bottle and send it to me a Chris Lloyd, FREEPOST 666
Joking aside, thanks for the reply.
#7 Guest_Chris Lloyd_*
Posted --
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Big Dave's Gusset - 25/7/2011 09:07
Comfrey fertilizer (high in nitrogen) supposed to be very good for potatoes. Also used to be used in poultices in "the old days" as it has healing properties.
Comfrey fertilizer (high in nitrogen) supposed to be very good for potatoes. Also used to be used in poultices in "the old days" as it has healing properties.
Read about the medical use. I believe the other name for it is knit-bone. I understand it can also damage the liver if taken internally!
#8 Guest_Chris Lloyd_*
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Nigel Bolton - 25/7/2011 09:14
Will have to look this up. Accumulate literally tons of leaves during the Autumn off the Magnolia and Maple, so if Comfrey improves the quality of leaf mould, all to the good. I intend to extend the aerial extent of my veggie growing areas significantly this Autumn, which is likely to mean loads of spuds to clear the ground next year.
N.
Same here, we fill 2 tonne bags with leaves after they have been shredded from our beech tree. Only problem is that at the time I need the comfrey in Autumn it has finished I would imagine. They say to layer it with the leaf mould in the composter. I still have some leaf mould in a bag from last year that is still a bit leafy, so I might mix some in with this.
It sounds like a very good fertilizer and I am all for trying it the organic way. :)
I might try and get my father in law to put aside an acre or 2 of his farm to grow some lol. It could be commercially viable.
#9
Posted --
If you dunk a load of cut nettles in water and leave them until they absolutely ming, the resultant liquid is said to be very good in a similar manner :)
Cheers - John
#10
- Group: Registered Climate Users
- Posts: 16835
- Joined: 31-May 06
- LocationTonbridge, Kent. 44m asl.
Posted --
Comfrey does grow in great profusion here around the watery margins. The legalities are that you need permission to remove foliage if they are growing on private land (especially so to sell any products made thereof, or it counts as theft), otherwise you may forage for leaves "in moderation" but not dig up whole plants I believe.
#11
- Group: Forum Managers
- Posts: 3727
- Joined: 29-December 04
- LocationWest nor'west London
Posted --
The great thing about comfrey, and other plants like runner beans is that they "fix" nitrogen into the soil. They effectively extract Nitrogen out of the air and store it in the leave and especially the roots. Thats why its good to leave bean roots in the ground over winter once you have cut the stems down.
When using comfrey as a green manure, you just grow it on a bare plot and then before it flowers and sets seed, dig it straight into the soil, I thinks its about four weeks after it begins to grow; it also helps to keep the other weeds down. No having to move it around or find somewhere to brew it into a 'tea'
But its supposed to make a great liquid manure [Tea] as are nettles, and putting perennial weed roots into the mix not only gets back all the nutrients those pesky weed steal from your soil, but renders them unable to sprout again and just right to stick on the compost heap. Takes about four weeks.
Though be careful when you use the tea, water it down otherwise it could be too strong for you plants, and some plants don't like it poured onto thier leaves, especially the tomato plants.
It does smell something awful, but the smell goes pretty quickly once its on the soil. I brew mine in a dustbin with a good lid, that keeps the smell down the rest of the time, and as I raised it up and stuck a tap on the side I don't even have to stick my hands in there anymore.
When using comfrey as a green manure, you just grow it on a bare plot and then before it flowers and sets seed, dig it straight into the soil, I thinks its about four weeks after it begins to grow; it also helps to keep the other weeds down. No having to move it around or find somewhere to brew it into a 'tea'
But its supposed to make a great liquid manure [Tea] as are nettles, and putting perennial weed roots into the mix not only gets back all the nutrients those pesky weed steal from your soil, but renders them unable to sprout again and just right to stick on the compost heap. Takes about four weeks.
Though be careful when you use the tea, water it down otherwise it could be too strong for you plants, and some plants don't like it poured onto thier leaves, especially the tomato plants.
It does smell something awful, but the smell goes pretty quickly once its on the soil. I brew mine in a dustbin with a good lid, that keeps the smell down the rest of the time, and as I raised it up and stuck a tap on the side I don't even have to stick my hands in there anymore.
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