We
offer just 5 items by mail order that we do not
grow from seed, but by root cuttings. These are
Comfrey, French Tarragon, Mint, Tree Onion and
Horseradish. These
can be ordered and paid for with
your order for seed. Seed
will be sent to you straightaway, while any root
cuttings ordered will be sent separately during
April/May for immediate planting. Two
to four roots for £6.00 per variety.
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Comfrey
leaves grow up from the base of the plant and are
large and quite rough. After a few years the plant
will have grown into a clump which sends up bell-shaped
pink/blue flowers in mid summer. Comfrey grows naturally
at the edges of streams and therefore does best
when well watered. The variety of Comfrey we offer
is called 'Bocking 14' and is the one to grow for
high potash content. |
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COMFREY
PLANT FEED
Pick as much leaf as possible
from your plant(s). Place the leaves in a bucket
and cover. Leave for 6 weeks for the leaves to rot
down. The liquid does not have a pleasant smell
but this soon disappears. Strain off the liquid,
dilute in a watering can and use as an excellent
plant feed. Approx. ten parts water to one part
comfrey liquid. (Making Comfrey Plant Feed is not
an exact science.) On a larger scale you can use
a water butt with a tap at the base. If you can
get hold of a net from a greengrocer (such as is
used for carrots), completely stuff it with leaves.
Put this in the butt and fill the butt with water.
Cover and leave. The net of rotted leaves can be
easily be removed to prevent any clogging of the
tap when drawing off the feed. |
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| Comfrey
leaves are also very useful for just picking and
throwing down on the vegetable patch. This mulch
of leaves will disintegrate fast, creating good
tilth and fertility. Pick the leaves in May for
making plant feed. Pick another 3 times throughout
the season to stop the plant from flowering, and
to get the most amount of leaf for mulches. Water
the plant well. |
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CULTIVATION
Comfrey is a hardy herbaceous perennial.
There are no leaves showing in the winter, and the
plant will stay dormant until the following spring
when it will leaf up again. Grow it in the garden
or on the allotment and give it plenty of room.
Water very well , especially if there is a dry spell
in the summer, and always water after harvesting
the leaves. Put a little compost round the plant
in the autumn to look after your valuable plant. |
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When
you receive your roots in the post.....
open
the package immediately, and plant each piece
of root in a 13cm plastic pot in soil-based
compost. Place outside in the sun and keep
watered. After a couple of months, plant out
in the garden or on the allotment and water
in. |
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