brandon.
Well-Known Member
Information borrowed from compost-info-guide.com
Grow Your Own Super-charged Organic Fertilizer
Comfrey
If you have a spare garden bed, consider growing a patch of comfrey. Comfrey has deep roots that absorb nutrients from the subsoil, which are then stored in the leaves. Comfrey leaves have a high level of nitrogen making them a great activator for compost piles but their real value is in making comfrey fertilizer for your plants. When you compare the nutrient levels of compost with comfrey fertilizer at the end of this article you'll see why we use the term "super-charged."
Growing Comfrey
Comfrey is a hardy plant that will regrow from small pieces of root so it is important to choose the site with care. Comfrey rarely sets seeds so it won't infest your garden. The plants will do well in full sun to near full shade in an area that gets lots of moisture. Space the plants 2 to 3 feet apart and stand back and watch it grow. In the first year cut the flower stalks and add them to the compost heap. In the second year you should be able to get 3-4 cuts from a single comfrey patch. Just take a pair of shears and cut them back to about six inches from ground level. Wear gloves because the leaves can irritate skin.
Making Comfrey Fertilizer
Source: "Comfrey, Past Present and Future", by L D Hills
Grow Your Own Super-charged Organic Fertilizer
Comfrey
If you have a spare garden bed, consider growing a patch of comfrey. Comfrey has deep roots that absorb nutrients from the subsoil, which are then stored in the leaves. Comfrey leaves have a high level of nitrogen making them a great activator for compost piles but their real value is in making comfrey fertilizer for your plants. When you compare the nutrient levels of compost with comfrey fertilizer at the end of this article you'll see why we use the term "super-charged."
Growing Comfrey
Comfrey is a hardy plant that will regrow from small pieces of root so it is important to choose the site with care. Comfrey rarely sets seeds so it won't infest your garden. The plants will do well in full sun to near full shade in an area that gets lots of moisture. Space the plants 2 to 3 feet apart and stand back and watch it grow. In the first year cut the flower stalks and add them to the compost heap. In the second year you should be able to get 3-4 cuts from a single comfrey patch. Just take a pair of shears and cut them back to about six inches from ground level. Wear gloves because the leaves can irritate skin.
Making Comfrey Fertilizer
- Fill a barrel or plastic garbage can 1/4 full with comfrey leaves
- Weigh the leaves down with a stone or a brick
- Fill the container with water
- Put a lid on the container
- Let stand for 4 to 6 weeks. The mixture is ready when the leaves have rotted and are no longer visible.
- Your liquid feed is ready to use in your garden!
- If your comfrey plants have grown enough you can start a new batch
- Another method is to use comfrey leaves as above but without the addition of water. The result is a thick, black concentrate. This should be diluted at 15:1 before use.
Source: "Comfrey, Past Present and Future", by L D Hills
