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[NickFox]

Does anyone have an excess of comfey seeds they'd like to swap? 

We could potentially trade for all kinds of salady seeds, Lemon / orange seedlings, Basil or Marjoram seeds etc...

I don't appear to be able to find comfrey in any of the local garden centres and it makes fabby liquid feed (OK, it's truly malodourous - but still)

Regards

Nick and Sal

[Alec]

Hi Nick and Sal

Russian Comfrey is normally propagated by means of offshoots or root cuttings, from which it grows like mad! There are a number of strains and the one known as "Bocking 14" is reputed to be the best . You can easily take offshoots from a friend's plants or order direct from Garden Organic at Ryton, UK (www.organiccatalogue.com). Comfrey is rarely grown from seed and this could be because the selected strains are better.

Alec.

[NickFox]

Hi Alec,

We got Sal's mum and dad to bring a bundle of roots out when they came over to visit from the UK.  They've now taken and are growing with a fury (the comfrey, not Sal's mum and dad!). I guess we'll divide them every few years and try to establish a good big patch to cull feed from.

Thanks for the advice anyway!

All the best,

Nick and Sal

[Alec]

Hi Nick and Sal,

That's the way to do it! I am pleased to hear how well the roots have taken, and you can look forward to making some nutritious (but, as you say, decidedly smelly!) liquid feed before long.

Alec.