Home - Garden
Plant Comfrey In Your Garden And Watch Your Soil Thrive
By A. R. HOPKINS
All gardeners know how important soil health is for a garden and turn to fertilizer for help — but some commercial fertilizers have synthetic materials that can harm your plants.
Natural, organic fertilizers are easier on plants but come at a high price. Their ingredients, like bone meal or sewer sludge, aren’t for the faint of heart either.
Fortunately, there is a solution. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a uniquely nutrient-rich plant that can improve the health of your soil and plants without breaking the bank.
Initially used for medicinal purposes, we now know the comfrey plant can cause organ damage or cancer if ingested. Luckily, the flowering perennial is still helpful in the garden.
Comfrey uses its long roots (10 feet or more) to access critical nutrients like phosphorus and potassium. It also contains the highest protein percentage of any plant.
To make it into fertilizer, put 1 quart of comfrey leaves in 4 quarts of water, cover your container (the process can get smelly), and let steep for 10 to 30 days before applying.
You can also pulse the leaves and hot water in a blender. Add the liquid and chunks to your plants, or cut the leaves and sprinkle on the soil to let the nutrients seep in.