Russian Comfrey (Bocking 14) 5+ Root Cuttings 1/2-1 inch long Beyond Organic

Description: You will receive 5+ root cuttings freshly dug that are 3/4 inch to 1.5 inch long and ranging from over 1/4-1.5 inch thick. They average around 1/2inch+ thick. Planting instructions included. The entire package is 100% compostable.This perennial herb grows in USDA growing zones 3-9. It is Beyond Organic, Non-GMO and Heirloom. Symphytum x uplandicum.I planted these "Bocking 14" Russian Comfrey 5 years ago with small root cuttings and now the plants are enormous! They've thrived in our sandy soil (clay pockets too) of the Platte River valley zone 5B and have required very little watering or weeding after their first year (30 inches rain per year), out competing all surrounding plants including brome grass and many other aggressive weeds. I've never used any fertilizer or pesticides of any kind.I planted them with a few thousand native trees and shrub seedlings on land that I've converted from conventional corn to a regenerative garden ecosystem, 5 years later only a few dozen trees survived the deer and rabbits, but the comfrey stands tall and gives me hope (and great soil!) as I build my fence and prepare the land to plant trees again.They grow 3-5 feet tall and 2-4 feet wide. Leaves start coming up in early spring and flowers bloom late spring all through summer. Leaves survive frost down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, while the roots survive down to -40 degrees.Only plant them where you can control their spread. They reproduce through their roots breaking, and budding slowly but steadily growing wider every year. Mowing around the patch is a good way to manage them. The do not produce viable seeds so you don't have to worry about them spreading uncontrollably the way common comfrey does. Plant it where you want to keep it because in order to remove them would take constant cutting and/or tarping or herbicide.I absolutely love these plants, they take no effort to grow once established and have a vibrant green color with dainty purple flowers. The flowers are valuable to many different beneficial insects.With roots growing up to 8 ft deep comfrey brings many minerals up from deep regions of the soil which is why they're great for compost, chop n'drop, living mulch or liquid plant fertilizer. Their N-P-K ratio is reported from (1.8-0.5-5.3) to (3.5-1.2-8.4).The leaves are readily eaten by horses, sheep, pigs and chickens. Cows and rabbits will eat wilted or dried leaves. Dry leaves contain 15-33% protein with low fiber and high vitamin A content which improve egg yolk quality.Comfrey is known as Knitbone as it contains cell-proliferating molecule Alantoin and has been used for centuries for many different healing qualities. Do your research and consult a physician before using comfrey as it contains toxic alkaloids that affect the liver, because of this The FDA has outlawed the sale of Comfrey for internal use. I'm uncertain how much, if any, alkaloid is present in my Bocking 14, so I plan to have the leaves tested soon.I want to share this plant across the landscape as a reminder of our own strength, beauty, resilience, vibrancy and nurturing nature. I greatly appreciate your support of our goals to keep expanding our regenerative practices to more acreage where we are sequestering carbon in the soil, building up the soil health and the health of the many plants, animals and other critters that we nurture. We use diverse cover crops, rotational grazing, native perennial habitat, biochar, composting, deep mulching and many more practices to heal our soil ecosystem.We are a carbon negative farm so your purchases help us to sequester more carbon in the soil, decreasing your carbon footprint and increasing the health of our ecosystem. Thank You for your support!Planting instructionsPick a spot with at least 3 hours of direct sunlight. Be mindful that the plant will slowly grow wider over time so mowing around a patch is one good way to control its growth. Also any cutting of the roots will start a new plant. Removing the plant once established takes time n’ effort so choose wisely. These roots can be planted 1-3 inches deep. Plant where the roots will remain moist, but not waterlogged. The roots will grow fastest if planted horizontally/laying flat. Keep the roots moist for a few weeks as they begin to root. Once the leaves sprout, watering in dry weather will benefit young plants as their taproots dive deeper in the soil. The plants establish quicker if they don't have to compete with other plants their 1st year, but I’ve even had success, albeit slower, planting into sod.After the first year they shouldn't require much if any maintenance, but they do benefit from fertile soil especially if you harvest the leaves. Mulch is a good way to fertilize plants and conserve soil moisture. Comfrey leaves make great mulch, compost greens and compost activator, fermented plant juice, animal fodder and a healing herb. The dainty magenta flowers are great for beneficial insects and the flower stalks will root readily in soil, so be mindful if mulching with them. Enjoy and share this wonderful plant!

Price: 18.7 USD

Location: Clarks, Nebraska

End Time: 2024-09-14T00:45:45.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD