## Comfrey, scientific name *Symphytum officinale*, is an ubiquitous and quintessential element in the permaculture ecosystem. It's a perennial plant in my zone, which is nice because that means it will grow back year after year in my region . If you would like to learn more about comfrey, check out the following websites: [***Mother Earth News***](https://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/comfrey-leaves-zmaz74zhol), [***The Spruce***](https://www.thespruce.com/growing-comfrey-1402605), and [***Wikipedia***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comfrey).
#### The reason it is often found in the permaculturist's repertoire is not just because it is very {and I do mean VERY} easy to grow. It's because it is considered a plant that pulls vital nutrients from deep within the soil into it's leaves. When the leaves are "chopped and dropped", cut down then laid around as a mulch, the nutrients are great feeders for other plants.
***Wikipedia*** says: >Comfrey is an excellent source of [potassium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium "Potassium"), an essential plant nutrient needed for [flower](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flower "Flower"), [seed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seed "Seed") and [fruit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruit "Fruit") production. Its leaves contain 2–3 times more potassium than farmyard manure, mined from deep in the [subsoil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subsoil "Subsoil"), tapping into reserves that would not normally be available to plants
#### This is the primary reason I see people growing it. While it's not edible because it causes liver toxicity, it is widely used in ointments and topical teas for bone pain, broken bones, sprains, etc.
#### I purchased an infertile variety of comfrey known as Russian Comfrey from [***MARSH CREEK FARMSTEAD***](https://www.etsy.com/listing/226066886/russian-comfrey-25-root-cuttings-for?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=russian%20comfrey&ref=sr_gallery-1-2) after watching a short video from the [***ART AND BRI Youtube channel***](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWVCeqJ3lbpOrkZ4rleky0g), which is a channel I really enjoy. This kind does not propagate by seeds, although it can and does spread easily by its very hardy and persistent roots. So, be mindful where you plant it as it can be very hard to get rid of once it's established because just a sliver of root left in the ground can potentially sprout. Of course, in permaculture, that's part of the appeal of this plant. Still, look to the future design and plan of your growing space so you are not frustrated later.
#### I have to say that I am very happy with my purchase because this comfrey is growing so well. After receiving it I was concerned I was going to run into the same problem as I did with the Sunchokes because I couldn't plant them right away and they were already sprouting. They were short sections of tough hairy dark roots. They looked like roughly one inch damp sticks. The instructions said not to plant them during the hottest time of the summer and to start them in pots.
#### Well, me being me, I ignored that advice. Good news, every single root cutting is growing. Maybe a little too good considering where I planted them. I planted them in any small open area in my "spiral garden" not expecting them to grow so fast. They are quickly taking over in size. The plan was always to move them. These were just temporary locations until the fall when I hope to have their permanent locations prepped. Well, they are growing so fast I might have to move them much earlier then I planned.
#### Here are what my comfrey plants look like as of today in the straw bale where the whole area was planted with about 12 cuttings spaced about 3 inches apart. Oops. It's not like the instructions said to plant them farther apart. *sarcasm* ![](https://i.imgur.com/TIwwDFZ.jpg) #### This was last week after I had pruned off the largest of the leaves. There are so many leaves growing from the cuttings that I wanted to make sure they don't out compete each other before I get a chance to transplant them into their permanent homes. I threw a few leaves around the zucchini squash and at the base of the newly planted fruit trees. ![](https://i.imgur.com/TwrDcyb.jpg) #### This was two weeks ago before I pruned off the largest leaves. All those holes in the leaves are from hail damage from a storm. It's not super clear here, but in the time these comfrey root cuttings have been planted to now, this straw bale soil has shrunk in half!!! It has almost collapsed to the ground from all of the nutrients the plants have sucked out of it. ![](https://i.imgur.com/vGYqL0T.jpg) #### This picture is also from today from another straw bale that had open space. The comfrey is quickly overtaking the common white yarrow root that was transplanted. To the right of the comfrey are strawberry runners I pushed into the soil to get them to root. We bought 25 overwintered strawberry roots this spring and killed every single one of them.
#### A couple months later I found a really nice hanging planter with lots of shoots, hoping to propagate enough to make up for the mistake in the spring. I think they will be fine here next to the comfrey, but I'm not sure about the yarrow. That's okay, though, because there are probably at least 200 other yarrow roots here I can transplant. I know now that the yarrow roots are easy to transplant, which was the main purpose of putting them here in this straw bale, anyway. ![](https://i.imgur.com/CtIZscX.jpg) #### This picture is flipped around but is the same planter as the above picture, two weeks ago just after the strong storm with nickel sized hail. THAT'S HOW BIG AND FAST COMFREY GROWS! ![](https://i.imgur.com/FHFhMLR.jpg) #### Ignore the puny onions that were damaged and stopped growing after that hail. This is another "open spot" in the spiral garden I thought I could fill in with comfrey root. Well, it's obviously going to have to go somewhere else if I want to use this space for a fall garden. Which of course I do because I have nowhere else even remotely prepared to plant. ![](https://i.imgur.com/mzQCEQI.jpg) #### And the final picture is what the comfrey looked like 10 days after planting. That is a month ago. Keep in mind, I have pruned off the largest lower leaves now at least 3 times. ![](https://i.imgur.com/CVhsEJY.jpg) #### As you can see, comfrey is a fast vigorous plant. I'm glad I didn't just pop them in the ground in some random spot. I am definitely looking forward to getting them into their forever home, although truthfully I'm still not sure where that is going to be lol. Probably close to the newly planted fruit trees. The thing is, I'm having an incredibly difficult time making any progress digging holes, amending soil, planting, weeding, keeping up with the bugs. Everything has pretty much gone wild.
#### That's why I want a permaculture food forest. I'm really not cut out for intensive gardening. Landscaping? Forget about it! Someone else has to do almost all of that as it is. So, the sooner this place is planted with plants that can basically fend for themselves, grow year after year, the better. Yes, I know. Fruit trees and orchards aren't easy. They require pruning, pest and disease patrol, etc. But, the fundamental goal of a permaculture food forest is to create a nature mimicking, or nature regulating, food jungle to attract beneficial insects and animals, everything balancing it each other out without the need for micromanagement. That's the goal. I'm increasingly frustrated that we are not making faster progress but I know that when everything is implemented, much of the stress will be reduced. --- --- ## Okay, that's all for this post. If you found this post enjoyable, please consider upvoting, resteeming, following, and commenting! Thank you kindly for reading... --- --- # ALL IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT 2018 BY ME, @phedizzle. Hope you enjoyed them! --- --- ### Here are previous posts of mine:
#### STORIES: [**BAREFOOT IN THE BOONIES: EXPOSING MY ROOTS** (introduction post)](https://steemit.com/ocd/@phedizzle/barefoot-in-the-boonies-exposing-my-roots) [**BAREFOOT IN THE BOONIES: Chapter 1**](https://steemit.com/life/@phedizzle/54qc1g-barefoot-in-the-boonies-exposing-my-roots) [**BAREFOOT IN THE BOONIES: FAMILY OWNED: Chapter 1 Section 2**](https://steemit.com/life/@phedizzle/barefoot-in-the-boonies-family-owned-chapter-1-section-2) [**BAREFOOT IN THE BOONIES: ABANDONED BASEMENT: Chapter 1 Section 2**](https://steemit.com/life/@phedizzle/barefoot-in-the-boonies-abandoned-basement-chapter-1-section-2) [**BAREFOOT IN THE BOONIES: REWIND: GROWING UP WITH TURNTABLES**](https://steemit.com/story/@phedizzle/rewind-growing-up-with-turntables) #### 2011 GARDEN: [**2011: DESIGN AND BUILD**](https://mspsteem.com/mspsteem/@phedizzle/2011-garden-design-and-build) [**2011 BACKYARD TRELLIS, PERIMETER, & VOLUNTEER**](https://steemit.com/nature/@phedizzle/2011-backyard-trellis-perimeter-and-volunteer) [**2011 TIRE PORTION OF THE GARDEN**](https://steemit.com/gardening/@phedizzle/2011-tire-portion-of-the-garden) [**2011 BRASSICAS-TIRE GARDEN**](https://steemit.com/steemit/@phedizzle/2011-brassicas-tire-garden) [**2011 DWARF ORCHARD**](https://steemit.com/gardening/@phedizzle/2011-dwarf-orchard) #### RECIPES: [**SANTA DELIVERED SHROOMS-SHITAKE OYSTER SCRAMBLE**](https://steemit.com/@phedizzle/santa-delivered-shrooms-shitake-oyster-scramble-recipe) [**SWEET CINNAMON POPCORN**](https://steemit.com/food/@phedizzle/sweet-cinnamon-popcorn) [**MOCK ALMOND JOY--CHEAPER AND HEALTHIER**](https://steemit.com/food/@phedizzle/mock-almond-joy-cheaper-and-healthier-1517274408) [**HANGRY TERIYAKI**](https://steemit.com/food/@phedizzle/hangry-teriyaki) [**RASHES--WHY I SWITCHED TO THIS COMMON DIY LAUNDRY SOAP AND HOW I MAKE IT**](https://steemit.com/homesteadersonline/@phedizzle/rashes-why-i-switched-to-this-common-diy-laundry-soap-how-i-make-it-1518313017) [**SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH FORAGED FINDS: FIRST FOOD FORAGE OF 2018**](https://steemit.com/food/@phedizzle/scrambled-eggs-with-foraged-finds-first-food-forage-of-2018) [**WHAT'S FOR DINNER? BEETS ME! FIRST GARDEN HARVEST AND RECIPE**](https://steemit.com/food/@phedizzle/what-s-for-dinner-beets-me-first-garden-harvest-and-recipe) #### POEMS: [**WATCHING THE SPRING WAKE UP**](https://steemit.com/@phedizzle/watching-the-spring-wake-up-poem) [**SHE IS DYING**](https://steemit.com/poetry/@phedizzle/she-is-dying) [**WEEPING WILLOW**](https://steemit.com/homesteadersonline/@phedizzle/weeping-willow-1518850862) [**LIGHTS OUT BABY ROBIN**](https://steemit.com/poetry/@phedizzle/lights-out-baby-robin) #### PLANTS AND ANIMALS-EDUCATIONAL: [**GRASS IS OUR FRIEND**](https://steemit.com/homestead/@phedizzle/grass-is-our-friend) [**LITTLE BLUESTEM--BENEFICIAL AND BEAUTIFUL**](https://steemit.com/homestead/@phedizzle/little-bluestem-beneficial-and-beautiful) [**BEHOLD THE BEAUTY OF THE FALSE INDIGO BUSH**](https://steemit.com/smartphonephotography/@phedizzle/behold-the-beauty-of-the-false-indigo-bush) #### WALK ALONG WITH ME: [**WALK ALONG WITH ME 1**](https://steemit.com/homesteadersonline/@phedizzle/walk-along-with-me-1) [**WALK ALONG WITH ME 2--WINTER 2017/2018**](https://steemit.com/homesteadersonline/@phedizzle/walk-along-with-me-2-winter-20172018-1517274683) ### 2018: [**WILD TURKEY TAIL AND REISHI MUSHROOMS**](https://steemit.com/homestead/@phedizzle/wild-turkey-tail-and-reishi-mushrooms) [**HUGELKULTUR BED STARTED BUT THERE IS A LOGISTICAL OBSTACLE.**](https://steemit.com/homesteadersonline/@phedizzle/hugelkultur-bed-started-but-there-is-a-logistical-obstacle) [**2018 CURRENT HAPPENINGS: FOOD FOREST EXPANSION**](https://steemit.com/homestead/@phedizzle/2018-current-happenings-food-forrest-expansion) [**WILD EDIBLES AROUND THE HOMESTEAD**](https://steemit.com/permaculture/@phedizzle/edibles-around-the-homestead) [**GRANNY SMITH APPLE FINALLY GOT SOME LOVE**](https://steemit.com/permaculture/@phedizzle/granny-smith-apple-finally-got-some-love) [**PICKED MY FIRST PINT OF WILD NATIVE BLACK RASPBERRIES**](https://steemit.com/permaculture/@phedizzle/picked-my-first-pint-of-wild-native-black-raspberries) [**TRANSPLANTING WILD PURPLE GARLIC PART 1**](https://steemit.com/gardening/@phedizzle/transplanting-wild-purple-garlic-part-1) [**ORCHARD: PLANNING, PREPPING, AND PLANTING**](https://steemit.com/permaculture/@phedizzle/orchard-planning-prepping-and-planting) [**WILD PURPLE GARLIC TRANSPLANT UPDATE**](https://steemit.com/permaculture/@phedizzle/wild-purple-garlic-transplant-update) [**ZONE 2 OF THE FOOD FOREST**](https://steemit.com/permaculture/@phedizzle/zone-2-of-the-food-forest) ### CONTESTS/REVIEWS [**Chronic and Coffee MSP Review--25 SBD contest for the best MSPWAVES Radio Reviews**](https://steemit.com/mspwavesreview/@phedizzle/chronic-and-coffee-msp-review-25-sbd-contest-for-the-best-mspwaves-radio-reviews) [**VOICES FROM THE MOUNTAINS Review--25 SBD contest for the best MSPWAVES Radio Reviews**](https://steemit.com/mspwavesreview/@phedizzle/voices-from-the-mountains-review-25-sbd-contest-for-the-best-mspwaves-radio-reviews) --- --- ![](https://i.imgur.com/WygaYAU.png) ##### Phedizzle signature created by @bembelmaniac --- ![](https://i.imgur.com/qldhiRw.jpg) --- ![](https://i.imgur.com/SxAwvaF.jpg) ##### (**Created by @soulturtle**) --- [

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