Compfrey vs raspberries

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Just put comfrey into the raspberry bed.Thinking is that the two aggressive species can both duke it out between themselves.Any thoughts? This is what I've been doing with vigorous flowers and herbs, over the years and it seems to work out..

-- Anonymous, May 03, 2001

Answers

Don't they make a pact and take over the entire property? Sorry, couldn't resist! ;-)

-- Anonymous, May 03, 2001

Sounds like dangerous living to me!!!

-- Anonymous, May 03, 2001

Okay, what would happen if you planted a vine like morning glorys and bamboo? Would the bamboo pull out the vine or would the vine follow the bamboo giving you a beautiful flowered wall? Huh huh huh???...Kirk

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2001

Yep,you guys are nuts. Well,I'll make sure I keep my eye open for any insurrection!

Kirk,even I don't dare mess with running bamboo! Or Kudzu, although it is good to eat.I do intentionally plant morning glories.Yep that's right.Intentionally. Old ones I got from my mother.Sister curled her lip at that too.Real popular old fashion way here-grow them up a string at the front porch. Now,mine are planted in unbelievably bad soil-I'm talking gravel and blue clay,which they seem to like just fine.No intentions of improving that soil,either.Then they would become the plant from hello.

Well, for you all's piece of mine,both the comfrey and raspberries are corralled.And I got a darn good weedwhipping husband,just in case reinforcements are needed!

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2001


Trying to be serious here...I have a question about Comfrey. Isn't it supposed to be a good livestock feed? I have tons of raspberry, blackberry and bamboo in my state (Me.), but no comfrey unless I cultivate it. Is it a perenial?

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2001


Yes, comfrey is a perennial. We planted a few roots years ago and it had really spread in one corner of our hay field. I always dry some for the goats and rabbits.

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2001

Marcia, do you want to trade some comfrey starts for some bamboo starts??? I would like to try some bamboo, and I have lots of comfrey. Let me know.

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2001

Marcia- Comfrey is good for livestock as a vitamen type of supplement.I'm growing it for that.Also good bioactivator for compost. Salad burnet(S.minor) is another good herb for livestock for extra vitamens.Good to eat too.Cucumber flavor,to make flavored vinegar, and it stays green all year round for me.

Diane-look into clumping bamboo.I forget the species names but it forms a clump instead of shooting out loooooong distances.One of them was pretty hardy and I think would make it for you. Is not an invasive problem like the running bamboo.

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2001


Diane, Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. The bamboo that grows wild here is very invasive. Not sure what the variety is. Also not sure you'd want it on your property!! If you're still interested, let me know and I'll find out what it is and try to get some to you, if you want...Marcia

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2001

Maybe we could get a betting pool going on which one wins?

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2001


hey Marcia, like HOW invasive??? Will it jump up out of a raised bed of it's own?? Do you want some comfrey?

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2001

Sure, Diane. I'd love to try some Comfrey! Haven't had a chance to check out my local bamboo yet. Been babysittin' my 3yr. old granddaughter all day and her patience with anything I want to do on the computer is non-existent! But I'll check it out. Thanks!

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2001

I have nowhere to grow comfrey, yet. If I grew it in a pot, would it overwinter? Have you ever seen seed for it, or do you have to get a transplant from someone? Is it good for rabbits?

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2001

Joy.I would think growing it in a big container would be a great way for you to have it.I don't know abt.winter survival there,but it's pretty tough,so I'd expect sucess.

I got roots from a seed trader. I've not raised from seed and would have to look it up in the herb encyclopedia to see if it's viable.

But,look over in Gardening section of CS archives.There is quite a bit there on it,and also something on feeding to livestock. Report back to us when your mission is completed,Joy Scout.

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2001


Joy, I think if you used one of those big pots it would overwinter just fine. And yes, the rabbits love it and it is good for them. If you want a start I will send you one when I send to Marcia. I have never seen comfrey seed, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2001


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