permaculture

[Loren Davidson <loren@farwalker.com>]

At 07:45 PM 3/21/00 -0700, Scott Pittman wrote:
> Just a small question - need "veritable" answer.
> I am getting ready to plant comfrey in my garden to weed barrier. A 
> friend, who lived in New Mexico for 12 years, says that comfrey spreads in 
> her garden and takes over. Cannot disregard many years of experience, 
> although seems like everyone else has no problems, and just success with 
> comfrey. Can anyone advise?


My understanding is that there are multiple varieties of comfrey.  The 
typical big-leafed variety one buys in the nurseries here in north 
California appears to stay more or less in one place, simply growing deeper 
roots every year.  I say this after only three years' experience, so I may 
not have sufficient experience.  It can certainly be harvested multiple 
times during the year for mulch and compost fixin's.

There's a smaller-leafed variety that I saw up at Occidental Arts & Ecology 
Center that was indeed spreading.  I don't know the variety name; perhaps 
someone else can supply that info.

The issue with comfrey is that, once planted, it can almost never 
successfully be removed.  Each piece of root can become a new plant.  So 
plant it where you figure you'll really want it.

Build soil,

Loren


Loren Davidson        NEW! - loren@farwalker.com
http://www.batnet.com/beauty/
"We must create the future, or others will create it for us." - Gen. S. 
Ivanova, ret.