NO MORE COMFREY IN THE PERMACULTURE ORCHARD

[@alangaillard37]

It's fine to say no to comfrey if conditions don't suit it, but it's great for me; I crop mine FOUR times a year for liquid feed. Its leaves are low in cellulose, so it decomposes very quickly, making it ideal for the purpose. I have the tastiest potatoes & tomatoes as a result.

[@kiltedsasquatch3693]

Same here. No problem at all with Comfrey. I use the Bocking14 variety, which will not seed. Once the fruits and veggies start to flower I cut the Comfrey down to the base so the bees go to the fruits/veggies instead of the comfrey flowers. I get 4 to 5 cuttings per season in Zone 6. Use it as a hedgerow too.

[@OfftoShambala]

How to you liquify... just let it steep in water for a couple weeks? Do you only use comfrey? I would throw in biochar.

[@crazysquirrel9425]

@@OfftoShambala takes at least 3 HOT weeks to decompose it. It can take 3-4 months if the temperature is cold. I agree on the biochar to a point. Point being that too much biochar is not necessarily what plants like.

[@NoNORADon911]

Locations and or grow zones that people are in would be helpful. Its not a popular plant in Florida is all I know. Trying to find out why. Heat? Poor soil?

[@addysbeeandgarden320]

@@NoNORADon911 I live in Georgia and it grows fine here. I ordered my Russian comfrey root cutting from ebay. They grow like crazy.

[@crazysquirrel9425]

Confrey is also known in ancient times as 'knit bone'. Romans for example, set a broken bone, and made a comfrey poultice to use over the break. Bones healed very quickly. The leaves are edible but in small quantities and for short periods of time (it is hard on the liver). Comfrey can send down a tap root a whopping 12 FEET. It takes a piece of root as little as 1/4" chunk to start another comfrey plant. It's leaves contain a concentrated amount of minerals. Use it in the compost bin, side dressing for other plants, or to make a comfrey fertilizer tea. Of course for medicinal value too but check with a Dr on using it. Borage is in the same family but is an annual and the oil from the seeds is used for medicinal purposes. Comfrey does need fertilization (soil amendments) to grow and regular watering. Be forewarned that once established it is pretty hard to kill. It can take a whole year to kill a plant. Comfrey does not grow well in containers BUT if you use a clay pot with a hole in the bottom, plant a sprig of comfrey root, it will grow. It sends a root out the bottom hole. A year later pick up the pot and cut off the root. You made a clone. And the one in the pot can still grow and make another clone by repeating the above. Choose your location wisely!

[@lucaziggy7950]

Thank you!!!

[@TheEmbrio]

Beware of its bone mending abilities. It can mend so fast the bones , they absolutely have to be realigned perfectly before you use it. Someone told me they had to have their bone re-broken by the doctor to control the healing. Ouch

[@crazysquirrel9425]

@@TheEmbrio Romans needed bones to heal quickly and so long as they are close enough to render the soldier capable of fighting. Also, much depends on how much comfrey you are using. In a SHTF scenario where you are not able to get x-rays, mending a crooked bone is better than risking a compound fracture or internal injuries.

[@tallcedars2310]

DO NOT CHECK WITH YOuR DOCTOR, GO TO A NATUROPATH who is trained in healing plants. Doctors are trained to comfort with chemical drugs and recieve no training on natrual healing through foods. I have asked doctors several times and always get a blank look and sometimes they answer that they do not know about plants, so it's up to us to go to naturopaths who actually know what naturally heals us. We have two options to try to heal, one is with mainstream doctors the other is with naturopaths who are not supported by the government and make us pay ourselves for this valuable information, you have to ask yourself why that is.

[@crazysquirrel9425]

@Wolf Man You can chop then to 2-4 inches above the ground 3-4 times a year (but not last one before the fall season). Chop up what you cut, place into a bucket, fill with water, and make comfrey tea. You can also just chop the plant, strip the leaves, and use the leaves as a mulch. If you let it flower too long, you get seeds. Those make more comfrey plants. Digging up - if you leave so much as 1/4" of root in the ground, it will grow back again.

[@b_uppy]

I put it near my compost pile to recapture leached nutrients. It loves its location.

[@shpuply]

That is one of the best ideas I've heard in such a long time! I know it's been a long time since you've commented,but thank you so very much. My eyes grew wide at the thought of saving my efforts as well as my land. :)

[@b_uppy]

@@shpuply It grows lank there. Glad it helps.

[@Chillpillspill]

Genius. Thank you!

[@SidSneer1]

i did the same. 6 comfrey plants back my compost bins.

[@b_uppy]

@@SidSneer1 Your post is timely. I need to harvest some leaves and feed some some plants.

[@GardeningintheNorth]

I have Bocking 14 Comfrey that has sterile seed, meaning I can only propagate it by cutting a piece of the root and replanting. It’s amazingly healthy everywhere I’ve planted it. I plan on growing more this year for the chickens. Good video.

[@crazysquirrel9425]

For me, I want the viable seeds. Where I am there is very poor topsoil. And it needs all the help it can get! LOL

[@lesleannhine6662]

where did you get the plant. I am near Miracle Farms but have the opposite problem. Two different locations (one being a friends CSA farm and the comfrey is so invasive it has become a big problem. I am now afraid to plant it in my new home.

[@nayrtnartsipacify]

great variety. ive been growing mine in three states for about 15 years.

[@nayrtnartsipacify]

@@lesleannhine6662 i can send you some

[@KeyofDavid5778]

I have an acre do you know what other plants and herbs grow wild that you don't have to water thank you

[@dianneshoenfelt5873]

Well, comfrey does GREAT where I live and I have tons of it. I'll stick with my comfrey, it works well for me.

[@XGaming1]

Same

[@trig33kgirl]

I think that's his point, if something doesn't work in a particular environment, then stop trying.

[@honeybadger8942]

@ Diane Can you tell me how to get the Comfrey seeds ?

[@deejenkins8314]

@@honeybadger8942 they grow best from a piece of the root. Buy one plant and start breaking off roots by the end of the summer and plant where you want them.

[@d.w.stratton4078]

Yea, he's just trying to help people who junk on the Geoff Lawton and Paul Wheaton bandwagon and then feel like "Comfrey is the One True Way to Permaculture".

[@keptyeti]

I don't understand how that comfrey isn't growing more vigorously. It grows in every possible condition for me. I have it in shade, sun, dry, wet, barron, and fertile areas. It all grows like a weed everywhere.

[@TheEmbrio]

The good (agreeable to comfrey) mineral content of the soil probably...

[@jack9463]

He's joking, he got you,hahaha, he's a comedian, think about it 7 years wilts in rain, nothing wilts in the rain for a lack of moisture, he s a dickhead hardyhaha,his comfrey wilts in rain and drys up hahaha, I like him

[@evangamble3718]

I agree it grows like a weed everywhere on my property as well, you cant get rid of it if you try. I eradicated all my grass though so maybe the grass is out competing it.

[@peasinourthyme5722]

Same!

[@KeyofDavid5778]

​@@evangamble3718 I have an acre what other plants/herbs grow like weeds? Thank you

[@gewgulkansuhckitt9086]

I've discovered I like big weeds. Little weeds are hard to get rid of. Big weeds are easily turned into great compost.

[@danlettuce8429]

Gewgulkan Suhckitt yeah..

[@auntiedoodles6898]

I feel that way about wild burdock. It's big, pretty, and when I need a layer of green in a lasagna garden, I look no further.

[@Horse237]

@@auntiedoodles6898 Wiki It's a powerhouse of antioxidants. Research from 2010 has shown that burdock root contains multiple types of powerful antioxidants, including quercetin, luteolin, and phenolic acids. ... It removes toxins from the blood. ... It may inhibit some types of cancer. ... It may be an aphrodisiac. ... It can help treat skin issues. I ate burdock and other fresh greens from the garden for one summer and regained my health. I also gave up drinking soda!!

[@auntiedoodles6898]

@@Horse237 i get lots of it in my yard. I'd like to know more.

[@Horse237]

@@auntiedoodles6898 Burdock tastes nasty. But for several months I ate huge amounts of green salads and fruit smoothies.I was working in the garden and and lots lots of weight and detoxified my body.

[@slaplapdog]

Our comfrey tripled its first year. We use it for medical balm and the chickens and bunnies love it. Cincinnati, Ohio USA

[@user-se5gg5cy4y]

Ronyon this guy is a complete idiot.

[@crazysquirrel9425]

I know someone in Cincy LOL

[@drewchestnut468]

cincy represent. comfrey grows like a weed all over my backyard, use it for chop and drop green mulch around trees, tomatoes, and potatoes.

[@ryanduckering]

Comfreys great, I have a market garden on a slope, one section of hillside has a vertical drop of like a foot and a half. The soils just clay, and a year ago I planted a whole row of comfrey on the side of the steep bank. It worked great, the deep knotted roots have completely stabilised the bank, no erosion. The plants have grown positively massive with no attention and once they get too big I simply use the leaves as fresh green mulch to break down around other food plants/fruit trees I grow. It's a real useful plant to just take up space if you don't want weeds to colonise that bare space instead.

[@susycue3]

Ryan Duckering thank you

[@drewblack749]

Lived in Missouri-comfrey grew like a weed in the clay soil. Maybe Stephan’s sandy soil is not conducive to rapid growth.

[@vanreliant5584]

The comfrey in my garden grows about four feet high, and makes a potent liquid compost. Feed my runner beans with it the leaves are as big as plates and deep green in colour, and the beans are big and healthy to. The liquid compost has quite a fragrance with it and when I water with it, it seems to draw dung flies from miles around.

[@KeyofDavid5778]

Do you know what other plants and herbs grow like weeds? I have an acre and I'm not around much during the summer and fall .... Thank you

[@williamsauve6978]

I have a comfrey cultivar that does not reseed. It is on a hillside with poor dry soil and I never water it. It sends up a large clump of plants that get nearly 4 feet high and covered with beautiful flowers. After a rain it fell in all directions and sent up a new flush even fuller than the first. This massive plant grows in an ever expanding clump that again, never reseeds.

[@novampires223]

I grow Bocking 14, it has never set seed. Love it!

[@nmnate]

Kinda interesting to see all the negative comments. I thought the message is fairly clear... if a plant doesn't grow well in your area (or in your soil), grow something else. I live in a dry, arid area and can't be bothered to plant comfrey (or mullein which might grow substantially better). Why not grow a native plant in its place? They grow like weeds.

[@aloelcristal5795]

My comfrey is gigantic, even when there is no good soil, it grows like crazy, attracts pollinators and makes a great compost tea...

[@heterodox3487]

Aloel Cristal same here in poor clay hardpan. Fortunate I guess.

[@CluelessHomesteaders]

I’m going to plant some this spring, see what I get...

[@seamusnalaoch6409]

Picked a single leaf yesterday to compare the length -- it was as long as my arm from wrist to lower shoulder (and I'm very tall). Not sure what's happening with Stefan's comfrey, but mine is growing like alien weeds from outer space. Bocking 14, btw.

[@kstahl9281]

Maybe your’s actually see the sun, unlike these plants🤔

[@KidguY27]

It works better in clay soil than sandy soil BECAUSE the clay layer retains nutrients much better allowing the comfrey to do its job of accumulating, whereas in sandy soil those nutrients have drained too far.

[@stevevelobahn1814]

I plant my comfrey next to trees too! I figure it will help bust up the clay. But in very dry areas it dies quick. Now i know why.

[@andrzejlolszewski212]

You can't expect of water lilies to grow in the sandy desert - comfrey is a plant of moist environment - plant it around the pond and you'll have your weeds.

[@stevenfeil7079]

We grow comfrey in the high desert of southern Idaho without any issues at all.

[@bryanst.martin7134]

I would consider if the neighboring plants are hostile to the Comfrey. Nature is pretty competitive. Grass is a water hog.

[@coleenannis153]

I planted one little root I dug up in the woods and after a few years it was HUGE

[@coleenannis153]

in sand, in upstate NY

[@falsename2285]

goes CRAZY in north Georgia mountains. we cut them down from waist high globes every 2 maybe 3 weeks during the entire growing season (roughly march-november there)

[@roddwayne8792]

I chop comfrey leaves into a bucket of water, let it steep and then use it for watering plants. Works for me :)

[@awakenedheartroom]

What does it do for the plants ?

[@crowned.king.immortal]

I have my comfery up near my house on a southern exposure where it gets plenty of sun and it is huge onky planted two plants and it is growing in clay

[@blenderbenderguy]

Rob Avis referred to the 'rice knife' I think he said, as an awesome tool. A link to that tool would be much appreciated as I cannot seem to find the same one searching.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Also sold as permaculture knife or permaculture scythe. Look in gardening catalogs. I think Daniel Lawton sells them.

[@MommaT1970]

I’m looking for the same

[@Chris-op7yt]

comfrey grows nuts in deep clay and there it's hard to get rid of

[@RESMITHcarpentry]

There was a row of comfrey plants next to the road where I grew up near Nelson in BC. Those plants grew 6 feet tall and their leaves were enormous. We used to pick the leaves and stick them to our clothes. You could completely camouflage yourself this way.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Wow, that’s impressive growth. Obviously a great site for them.

[@RESMITHcarpentry]

@@StefanSobkowiak It must have been, but still surprises me as it was right next to the gravel road in quite harsh conditions. I wonder what type of Comfrey it was as well? Very very dark green with very long spear shaped leaves. I tried growing it here in Calgary and it never got over 3 ft, even close to the gutter in good soil. I had better luck growing nettles and burdock to make compost tea. Gardening was SO much easier in BC than in Calgary!

[@cantalibre4708]

Comfrey is the best! My orchard is doing fabulously with my Comfrey "weeds." South Africa here.

[@ShotgunAndAShovel]

I appreciate the soil I have very much. I planted small comfrey starts last year--they are now blooming and as tall as I am at 5'4". I never watered or fed it. Its helping me reclaim a spot that was growing toxic black walnut trees. thanks for the video.

[@escapefromny2012]

I planted comfrey in pots, all same size root pieces, same soil, same size pots, all in same part of the garden. Some plants are one foot tall after a year, some are more than 3. I think maybe it's like seeds, some are stronger than others? Yes, I will be planting them in the ground this year. ;)

[@awakenedheartroom]

Someone above in the comments said to use a pot with a hole in it and the root will go through the hole. Did that happen to yours ? I want to use a pot as I don’t want it to multiply all over my yard.

[@shuvanidev]

I've grown comfrey in every garden I've ever planted. It grew like a weed in MI and OH but it pooped out every time in Houston, TX. I don't necessarily grow it for it's dynamic accumulator properties, but for it's medicinal properties and so I am very happy to have it in the garden. I've not had a problem with it spreading except when I lived in OH - it went EVERYWHERE. But when I lived there you could plop anything in the ground and it would thrive :)

[@dulceamanecer4096]

Do you grow it in Houston? I have had reumatoide arthritis and was told it can help me. If you are in Houston can you share a plant?

[@shuvanidev]

@@dulceamanecer4096 As I said in my comment it didn't grow for me in Houston, not sure if anyone else can grow it there or not. I don't live there anymore, but you can try some of the plant nursery's in the city to see if they carry it.

[@AvenirPermaculture]

depends of your soil and climate!! Comfrey does really well where I live...

[@momdoan]

I said the same thing about my common mallow 'infestation '. They too have long tap roots, so I thought it should be good to leave them on the ground. I just chop and drop, I don't pull anymore.

[@mountainvalleysunshine7228]

It seems to me the science of permaculture seems to get ahead of itself. I guess its the label to use for the way I garden, but I always figured the best soil fixers, cover crops, and bug feeders is native wildflowers. just sprinkle the seeds and your work is done.

[@filipou1000]

well said- the best plant to use is usually the one already growing and thriving in place. Their role is to build and correct the soil deficit for some botanist and ecologist; many other plants have deep root system indeed- But nature as its own way to build soil and make soil life richer and set conditions for further species to germinated and establish.

[@russellstrauss]

Fascinating video! I love the editing, it's hilarious

[@zackzane2953]

Russell Strauss thanks appreciate all the positive feedback 👍

[@justasking5592]

I find the naturally growing curly dock in my fields and dandelion work very well so have not introduced comfrey, yet. Curly dock grows 5 ft tall!

[@reformationinc.3376]

Just Asking Do you chop and drop the curly dock or let it keep growing?

[@romy4593]

Hey Stefan! This is a different type of Comfrey that doesn't get as tall or lush like Bocking 14 which is sterile, which does not spread and gets HUGE! Here in Washington this type of Comfrey is wonderful for mulch and so much more. It gets 3 to 5 feet around and its very tall. That looks like Russian Comfrey and they seed all over. I prefer the Bocking 14 for its huge size, height and the fact it doesn't seed. Beautiful purple blooms. Bocking 14 has a very deep root as well. Far superior to Russian Comfrey!

[@jack9463]

Na bocking14 is Russian, listenen to the permaculture expert, forget comfrey You are obviously unfamiliar with true comfrey or he is comedian Don't worry there's stupid and deadly stupid Some people think covid exists and has killed millions Debt and slavery will be the consequence, but atleast we get a dangerous vaccine for harmless virus, FOR FREE!!!??? Free medical for all thanks Pamela Freedoms gone, thanks America Hong Kong loves you and we heed whatever the ex_spert speed out of his mouth

[@timcent7199]

I am speechless and thrilled at the information coming from these videos. I have a memory disorder but I think your use of principles will help me follow your methods. Many thanks.

[@nessav7258]

Stefan, I agree with you. Comfrey is not the plant to plant in a poor soil. Weeds are! But comfrey planted in a fairly fertile soil that has moisture and isn't compacted will grow well . Then you can use it for compost tea or to start your compost heap to fix your poorer soils.

[@jack9463]

Comfrey will thrive in compacted dry clay in a desert

[@gafairbanks2434]

@@jack9463 seems it does better! Summer here tends to turn my soil into cement!

[@vickiburt2676]

FYI the volume is way too low, can you fix this? I want to hear everything you say, its very valuable, experienced expert info. You are a true Gem!

[@PerimeterPermaculture]

My comfrey dies back every winter and emerges again after it warms up. So in terms of size it starts anew each spring. Maybe my climate is colder in Missouri.

[@resilientfarmsanddesignstu1702]

Great advice and great explanations. Shade also reduces sunlight. This forces understory plants to produce larger leaves. That explains why the comfrey under the locust has such large leaves. I like your explanation of the plants growth response to the interrelationship between the amount of sunlight and the amount of water. Like you we plant our accumulators around the drip line. Then I just chop and drop right there close to the feeder roots. Easy peasy! I tend to use mineral rich stone mulch close to the base of the tree. This favors a low ground cover, promotes air circulation that prevents unwanted mold, mildew and vines from being established and makes hand weeding easier and mechanical weeding safer near the vulnerable trunk.

[@KidguY27]

I’ve been using my mulberry trees (the ones that don’t make berries but used for feeding silk worms)... I just cut them down to about ground level every time they get 3-6’ tall 😂 probably 2-3 times a year.

[@NviGWarren]

Thanks!! I was wondering because I have sandy soil.

[@scott1lori282]

Love comfrey for mulch/fertilizer. I been propagating to make my life easier. Plant it in spots I can't get with a riding mower like a fence line or culvert ends. I've cut my weedeater time down a good bit so far.

[@saksija1987]

editing is next level

[@jimbattaglia8317]

My comfrey in Va is doing wonderful

[@jahpunk7]

Comfrey has so many pluses i will always keep it around...i dont need ALL my plants to grow like weeds...i appreciate slow growers as they demand less maintenance....also, planting those plants which cost $0 (easy to propagate), is a higher priority for me than "perfect " plants

[@aidancampos5959]

That comfrey was stunted because it was shaded out by the Ribes and other plants.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

AtoZ Botanicals actually the ones that are shaded do better than those in full sun in our sand.

[@falsename2285]

@@StefanSobkowiak the problem is most likely the high sand content soil

[@moniquegebeline4350]

@@falsename2285 I have straight up red clay and I couldn’t get comfrey to grow bigger than his.

[@baltimoresbabyxoxo]

Someone gave me a root of comfrey a few years back and honestly I really didn't pay attention to the soil conditions when I stuck it in the ground. I have one spot that is rocky and in my garden and I decided to plant it there because of how deep those roots can go. Figured if a dandelion can grow there so can the comfrey. It must really love where it's planted cause that plant is always lush and I've never had to water or fertilize it since I got it. My soil is clay and it gets only the morning sun and it also sits right next to my wood pile where it gets all the wood bark and splinters that falls all around it. Perhaps the wood bark every year fertilizes it. All I know is it's happy and singing.

[@josemartinez7811]

I believe Canada is above Zone 3 for growing abundant amounts of comfrey. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Oh it can grow well here just not on our farm soil. We have some warmer zones, it’s not all arctic.

[@ericanorton71]

What an incredible plant. I've only ever known it to be used medicinally. This plant is amazeballs.

[@AvenirPermaculture]

also depends on the variety of comfrey, try B14 or russian comfrey

[@vgil1278]

at 12:10 that is a Hosta, not a plantain. I swear it is! My comfrey is 6ft. tall when it blooms, then it keels over and I have to cut it down or the plants under it will die. Beautiful flowers. Clay soil but very dry under a massive locust tree.

[@pamelah6431]

Hosta's other name is plantain lily...

[@tiffanyclark-grove1989]

I keep a little comfort because it's pretty but I do use my broad leaf burdock more. My comfrey grows in heavy shade under my apple tree too💗 but it doesnt spread there.

[@repentorperish1405]

The commercial sale or supply of Comfrey, or Comfrey products, was made illegal in Australia some time back because it has been deemed to be toxic. In some council areas it is on the noxious/toxic weed list and where it is illegal to have it growing.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Wow

[@DrValerie800]

Comfrey is worth the effort since it is hard to get as a medicinal product ("banned"). It's "people glue" which makes it great to help heal breaks. Yes, it has toxicity and you have to know how to use it properly.

[@TheEmbrio]

Beware of its bone mending abilities. It can mend so fast the bones , they absolutely have to be realigned perfectly before you use it. Someone told me they had to have their bone re-broken by the doctor to control the healing. Ouch

[@DrValerie800]

@@TheEmbrio Yes, of course! Thanks for posting that; I tend to forget that 'common sense' is not so common nowadays.

[@2be1am]

You are brilliant, Stefan! Thank you for sharing the abundance & health! Sending you gratitude from Virginia

[@m.lansley6590]

New subscriber here. Thanks for teaching me how to 'listen' to what my plants are telling me. I will try an experiment with my comfrey seedlings by giving them different soil types.

[@grjoe4412]

The dynamic accumulator that works on my property are the pesky cedar trees.

[@crazysquirrel9425]

Those make for great firestarters due to the oil content.

[@angiekrajewski6419]

For the comphrey under the tree is doing well ..is also because the tree is shedding his leaves which makes a richer soil ...

[@davidhartley6232]

I can't even count how many 1.5ft deep postholes I have dug for comfrey over the years in sand and sandstone. By second year they leaf out over three feet wide and 4+ feet high!

[@StefanSobkowiak]

I’m curious what is beyond the 1.5’

[@davidhartley6232]

@@StefanSobkowiak sand and or sandstone... Basically "old beach".

[@davidhartley6232]

@@StefanSobkowiak BUT... There are free range chickens that help complete the natural cycle of life. Perhaps that is what you are missing? 🤔

[@tennillepatterson5500]

I have great comfrey plants, but they don't reseed themselves. I would have to spread it with roots.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Yes the Bocking 14 strain do not reseed.

[@wingrider1004]

I planted my comfrey in a sunny spot and even though it is growing, it struggles on hot days. The next one I plant I will put in a shadier area.

[@EdieBabeMonster]

Oh man my yard grows comfrey like crazy I can barley keep up with it. Although I always have compost tea on the go and I can accelerate a sluggish compost bin easy as pie😜

[@KishorTwist]

Is it invading in a good or bad way?

[@EdieBabeMonster]

Kermit well... it is a bit much but there are worse more invasive bad plants I have to contend with like ivy, creeping buttercup and the evilest of all bindweed that others mistakenly call morning glory.

[@sandrakendrick176]

I’ve been looking for a plant at our nurseries and can’t find it anywhere. I have chickens and would love to have some growing for them.

[@TheKlink]

GAW!!! All you people, he says it doesn't grow well THERE. If it grows well over at yours, great. It's all about your context, remember?

[@wiezyczkowata]

people want to share their experience

[@TheKlink]

@@wiezyczkowata I think you're missing my sarcasm; "gaw!!" was an expression the South park character randy marsh used before making some lame ass excuse after having been caught doing something silly.

[@wiezyczkowata]

@@TheKlink last time I saw South Park was like 15 years ago and well, sometimes sarcasm is hard to convey,

[@TheKlink]

@@wiezyczkowata tone is very difficult in a medium such as this.

[@wiezyczkowata]

@@TheKlink totally agree with that

[@nathanielhooper8375]

Both examples you gave were buried by perennials and fast growing grasses. Was this considered?

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Sure we use other plants which scoff at the grasses like hosta and Jerusalem artichoke. Comfrey would need too much codling in our very sandy soils.

[@cellasedui6061]

MAAAANNN T'es Qubébecois dude!! So awesome to find your channel!!! We're from the Eastern Townships and we're thinking of moving to the Gaspésie in the zone 3 and permaculturing! They have have so most cheap land there! :D Thanks for the video!!

[@PeteKanarisGreenDreamsFL]

Interesting, thanks for sharing Stefan! Your videos are getting better and better!

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Thanks Pete

[@user-se5gg5cy4y]

Pete Kanaris GreenDreamsFL this guy is a complete moron.

[@irenepeek3211]

Please look into the difference between Comfrey Symphytum Officinale and Russian comfrey. Only use comfrey with cream or white flowers, never the Russian comfrey with pink or purple flowers.

[@annenyman678]

You are lucky. Comfrey is taking over my garden here in MA and I can’t get rid of it.

[@alexriddles492]

I have heard covering it with cardboard will kill it. Trying to dig it out will just leave pieces of roots in the soil and make it multiply.

[@Musashii89]

Where is the chase and how do you cut to it?

[@tomneal72]

is symphytum officinale a sterile plant like Symphytum uplandicum bocking 14 ? What are the differences ?

[@EdnaSabile95]

Thank you for the reply, your videos are very interesting I can watch it all day. I am so interested to permaculture now, I want to convert my organic farm to a permaculture farm, yours are very informative and easy to understand, most of all I can’t stop watching them. Thank you

[@healingflower131]

My experience has been the of this opposite of this video. In shade in sun, in dry soil in wet, in rich and poor soil I have happy health HUGE comfrey plants all over my property starting from 2 plants 7 years ago.

[@LittleRapGuy]

I noticed that I used to be able to put a shovel in the lawn, anywhere, when I was a kid, I could just fold some of the lawn back, and find some worms. Now the soil is that sandy soil like you'd shown below the darker top soi, but not almost to the top. Whole wheel barrel loads have no life in them. The worms are no longer present in the puddles after rain. They used to always be in the bottom of a pond near me, too, with the soil around it all having changed. There are no longer fish in the pond. It's all filled in. It killed the endangered New England snapping turtles. It's all tall grasses and shallow now. I think some of the last ones are eating birds instead of fish. They used to have the worms as a constant supply of food walking into the ponds and brooks. And they had craw fish, types of fish, et cetera. We have to understand how the land was tactically denatured since before our founding parents were even born, and them part Native. Humanity has been using abridged systems since semi-ancient times. Too long we've been taking the chopped grass and such away from the land that needs it also with the stuff smaller we had/have the small worms no longer walking into the puddles and waters to discern. People all agree we want/need other. The only way the species body can move as one is the only way we can afford to fix how everything got/is maintained even justified tactically denatured. We need to have our states give us something to give the worms. Also the birds are dying. They have to eat other things, et cetera.

[@josanders1428]

I don’t have Dandy line in myplace

[@mycedarridge]

Great video!! I was like... "wwwhhhaaattt????" and then I watched the video... Lol. I have figured out how to get my comfrey large enough to get 2 harvests from it but before that I could NOT get it to grow. It would die back every summer and every winter while just struggling to peep out during spring and fall. I'm happy with it now but totally get your point!

[@mycedarridge]

BTW, I did buy your film after Justin Rhodes visited you. I rate it 5 stars and love my orchard like never before! I just wish I had it BEFORE I planted the trees. 😄

[@StefanSobkowiak]

I wish I had the film before I planted, that's for sure. I'm sure you have learned from starting before viewing it anyway.

[@mycedarridge]

Stefan Sobkowiak, 😂😂😂

[@deejenkins8314]

I planted one plant 3 years ago, it has taken over half of my garden and orchard🤣😂 I couldn’t get rid of it now if I wanted to.

[@chantaltulliez8066]

My comfrey is amazingly beautiful here in subtropical Australia...

[@bornfree9438]

Really! I'm on the central NSW coast and I'm struggling to get even one growing...it's alive but it's definitely not thriving

[@johnwilton364]

Would growing a plant in the wrong soil make it bolt or go to flower / seed prematurely.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Yes stress always leads to early flowering and seeding

[@Danielily1]

How can you test what's in your soil? Is there an equipment?

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Soil sample sent to a soil testing lab. Some farm stores and garden centres offer to send them for you. Look up how to take a soil sample.

[@Pamela-un1zu]

My "earth", "soil" is pure beach sand, gravel, and rocks. I made beds about 2 feet deep to grow my vegetables and flowers and do very well but my trees struggle. Every year they are diseased. I had to create a spot, it was pure gravel where I dug. 2 feet deep and 6 feet in diameter. Hearing about tap roots I wonder if this is the issue. Other then their own "beds" providing nutrients there is nothing but gravel deeper down. They still grow fruit and they are still young, 4-6 years old. My plum trees always drop their fruit. Will I always struggle because the roots only have gravel to grow in? or will they simply grow shallow roots and grab from the "bed" made for them? Thoughts? Ideas?

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Actually fruit trees don’t mind gravel. Have you tried any fruit trees outside of the beds? Sounds like they would grow in those conditions with mulch after planting and some irrigation at least to get the trees going.

[@tealkerberus748]

Try wicking beds? They're not cheap to build, but they stop the water and nutrients leaching away. I don't think you could grow full size fruit trees in them, but dwarves would be OK. And they're great for vegetables on difficult substrates.

[@hosoiarchives4858]

Use woodchips

[@kristinkulman3221]

Try tithonia diversifolia. You can start by seeds, but in some places can invade. If you have that time of climate, use sterile cuttings.

[@chessman483]

I enjoy hearing different perspectives, I’ve just started dividing some of my comfrey up to create more . I find Pigeon peas and QLD arrowroot unbelievable for growth and nutrient extraction from the soil.

[@steb430]

Comfrey grows very well everywhere around here, 14 inches of topsoil and 6 feet of clay under that.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

I guess. You’re blessed to have such soil, take good care of it.

[@Melissa54321]

I just planted comfrey this summer. I'll have to see how it goes. Just subbed to your channel!

[@SLORTA5]

Out of interest what are your fire management processes like? Here in Australia neighbors / council tend to complain once your groundcovers get that high during summer.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

SLORTA5 we are in a humid climate throughout the summer with an average of 2cm per week of rain. Check next weeks video on managing grass.

[@charronfamilyconnect]

Curly Dock is much better and grows almost everywhere around my area. So I use this instead of Comfrey as a mulch or composting material. I believe Dock has more NPK than Comfrey anyways and its much better than comfrey.

[@craigmouldey2339]

What grows well here? Ferns and Dogwood and Mullein. We planted two Macintosh apple trees 5 years ago. The first spring they were both in full blossom and then we had a frost the first week of June. It killed all the blossoms except on the one tree 5 apples grew, 3 of which the birds got. These two trees have never blossomed again. I don't know what to make of it. They seem healthy otherwise.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

The basics: poor drainage, low spot, frost pocket are all places to avoid putting a fruit tree. Certainly ferns and dogwood are indicative of such problems. Either these situations or you bought a tree on a standard rootstock which can take up to 8 years to fruit. They may have fruited because they were stressed being pot bound. Can be something else.

[@craigmouldey2339]

@@StefanSobkowiak Thanks. I think I will give them more time. A few years at least.

[@lynnp.8463]

Hi Stefan! So, what do you plant instead of comfry in your poorer soils? Do you plant mullein? Where we are, it grows wild. I didn't know you could purchase seeds! Of course, it could provide a secondary income. In WA; dried mullein leaves go for as least $65/lb.! II like seeing the higher grasses in your orchard, and I love the idea of using daikon radish, and especially the idea of not needing to mow our orchard!

[@StefanSobkowiak]

I don’t plant anything, whatever grows well with the available nutrients prospers. Black locust, sumac, wild grape and alfalfa seem to be increasing there, all pioneers.

[@tangobayus]

I've heard that alfalfa can go down 15 feet in 1 year and up to 45 feet after a couple of years.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

tangobayus exactly it’s our Queen legume plant. In its third year it has always reached the water table at 8’ (2.5m)

[@ralsharp6013]

Everything is growing really well near the Comfrey because Comfrey is the best fertilizer compost in the world

[@PartTimePermies]

Yup, mullein definitely grows better than comfrey in our sandy soil in SW Michigan (very similar climate and soil type, maybe a zone warmer here). And, yes, mullein grows well. We don't even plant it, it is wild here.

[@lindaandrews9245]

The common Comfrey we get in the UK looks different to this one. The old English name is Bone Knit as it helps to mend broken bones.

[@rjbuckets8897]

Smaller leaves? In the Netherlands I see a lot of comfrey that stays really low and small. Although the one with the bigger leaves can also be found.

[@lindaandrews9245]

The leaf size is about the same, can grow to about 18” usually blue flowers though some can be pink

[@kazzana9013]

I guess comfrey does not like a sandy soil, as dry or wet, sun or shade my comfrey does well in heavy clay or nice loam soil and loves being planted in a deep woodchip mulch. Good advice on choice of plants. Thank you from New Zealand.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

We’re planning a couple of courses in New Zealand March 2020. See you there?

[@TheEmbrio]

So true. You can't accumulate what isn't there... I bring in organic manner and minerals from a variety of sources because I don't want to perpetuate my soil's deficiencies by just composting locally. Of course I compost everything from my property. Just outside sources too.

[@jessheppell750]

Who is editing this? BRILLIANT

[@zackzane2953]

Jess Heppell thanks always appreciate the positive feedback 🙏

[@01ReeTe01]

ive planted comfrey in my yard and it grows like crazy every 4 weeks they are atleast half a meter tall. it grows in my lawn to and i mow it every week and it grows faster than anything else . im in australia

[@StefanSobkowiak]

Good one, keep using it.

[@longarmsupplies]

There's seedless varieties, Stephan. Bocking 14 variety is here and doesn't seed. And I'm proud of my first year of orchard...LOL. MIne is doing great!

[@Viva_la_natura]

I'll second that. Russian Bocking 14 doesn't reseed itself. You can divide the roots and control it. It's the greatest plant...beautiful too

[@andrewbjenks]

I will third that, Bocking 14 is the only variety worth growing. They grow great on Hugelkulturs, the bees love them. I just harvested most of mine for a compost activator, they were 3-4 ft tall and about to fall over.

[@tylerk.7947]

Fourth that! I will only grow blocking 14 as it seems the most vigorous, non spreading and sterile seeded. I made the mistake once of planting unknown rhizomes that ended up being comfrey “hidecot blue”. Crazy beautiful plant when it blooms in spring, but it was a super duper invasive spreader. That plant is dangerous! Ended up digging out deep rhizomes for many hours over the course of a year, allowing it to flush out numerous times, and then sheet mulched it in order to kill it.

[@MrMrblackcreek]

what is the variety? And did I hear you say "reseed" you arent using the correct variety. I have single year comfrey that are 3ft bushes. I have "starts" in quart pots that are larger than the ones you show in the ground.

[@suzclarke]

I planted a row next to my goat bedding compost pile, I immagine it picks up whatever seeps off that, my comfrey gets to waist height, I'm 5'8 - 5'9. I'm happy with my comfrey, splitting to double the length of the row this coming season.

[@StefanSobkowiak]

They are great at accumulating when there’s something to accumulate.

[@TheVigilantStewards]

What do you use as a rhizomal barrier to block grass?

[@StefanSobkowiak]

The plastic mulch works pretty well.

[@sanjeeva311076]

It tends to grow near rivers in the UK, and it is a bit rainier in the summer here. I guess it would struggle in placers with drier hotter summers and sandy soil. It's job seems to be to suck up nutrients washed deeper into the soil by the rain, so I wonder if it prefers damp soil with less minerals.