Comfrey -- what and where to buy

I've been afraid of it because I've heard it spreads like crazy.  But then skimming here it seems like it might not be suited to Georgia (zone 7b).  I have a couple of apple trees I think might need something.  I've only mulched around it, and keeping that up is getting annoying.  Is comfrey even the best plant?  

If so... where would I find it?  If not, what should go under my trees instead?

Emily Smith wrote:I've been afraid of it because I've heard it spreads like crazy.  But then skimming here it seems like it might not be suited to Georgia (zone 7b).  I have a couple of apple trees I think might need something.  I've only mulched around it, and keeping that up is getting annoying.  Is comfrey even the best plant?  

If so... where would I find it?  If not, what should go under my trees instead?

Common comfrey spreads.  Bocking 4 and 14, which are the ones you most often see for sale, don't spread.  The seeds are sterile so they get bigger around and you can propagate them easily by taking a cutting of a root and planting it somewhere else.  I personally wouldn't plant common comfrey because it's too hard to contain, but I have hundreds of bocking 4 comfrey plants.  Comfrey is certainly one of the best plants if it grows well in your area.  I have sent plants to people nearly everywhere and the only people that  seem to have any issues with it growing are in very hot, dry climates.  I don't know if that would apply to you or not.

I haven't bought anything from these guys, but I enjoy their podcast content. They sell comfrey starts in their store, here.
https://www.permapasturesfarm.com/store-1

Even if you don't buy from them, on their youtube they have tips on how to use it, propogate it, etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK9FgC9aXjU

Trace Oswald wrote:Common comfrey spreads.  Bocking 4 and 14, which are the ones you most often see for sale, don't spread.  The seeds are sterile so they get bigger around and you can propagate them easily by taking a cutting of a root and planting it somewhere else.  I personally wouldn't plant common comfrey because it's too hard to contain, but I have hundreds of bocking 4 comfrey plants.  Comfrey is certainly one of the best plants if it grows well in your area.  I have sent plants to people nearly everywhere and the only people that  seem to have any issues with it growing are in very hot, dry climates.  I don't know if that would apply to you or not.

Hot and humid.  Real temperature tops out in upper 90s, but heat index can be in low 100s.  Nearly daily pop up storms then random drought.

I bought mine from a guy in north carolina. Coes comphrey. At the moment it needs shade. I’m in Texas but I built a teepee type thing over it but all the pieces coming up from roots are standing strong. The older more expensive crowns are the ones struggling. Tho they have much more leaves. I’m hoping once the root has a chance to drop down it won’t be a problem but for now I made a nice shade out of cedar stays that can be left there or moved later for cucumber or beans etc.

I did tap it into my drip system though. Not sure how bad it would be if I left it on its own

Emily Smith wrote:

Trace Oswald wrote:Common comfrey spreads.  Bocking 4 and 14, which are the ones you most often see for sale, don't spread.  The seeds are sterile so they get bigger around and you can propagate them easily by taking a cutting of a root and planting it somewhere else.  I personally wouldn't plant common comfrey because it's too hard to contain, but I have hundreds of bocking 4 comfrey plants.  Comfrey is certainly one of the best plants if it grows well in your area.  I have sent plants to people nearly everywhere and the only people that  seem to have any issues with it growing are in very hot, dry climates.  I don't know if that would apply to you or not.

Hot and humid.  Real temperature tops out in upper 90s, but heat index can be in low 100s.  Nearly daily pop up storms then random drought.

I think you would be fine then.  Hot and dry seems to be the killer.  I'll be able to dig roots soon if you are interested in some.  I haven't checked anyone else's prices in a long time, but I sell mine for $1 a root plus the cost of whichever size priority box you need for your size order.  I do discounts for people that order larger orders and I include extra roots in all orders.