The Power Plant: Mulch, Compost Activator, Plant Food

The fuel for this organic fertilizer factory is Russian comfrey (Symphytum X uplandicum). It has 6-foot-long roots that harvest nutrients from deep in the soil, making comfrey leaves a fantastic natural source of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium.

Researchers in British Columbia analyzed the NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) ratio of comfrey leaves by air-drying them and analyzing the powdered leaf tissues. They found that the leaves have an impressive proportion of 1,8-0.5-5.3. To compare, kelp meal has an NPK ratio of 1.0-0.5-to 2.5.

How can you harness the power of Russian comfrey?

Mulch.
Freshly cut comfrey leaves make good mulch because they’re high in nitrogen, so they don’t pull nitrogen from the soil while decomposing, as high-carbon mulches like straw and leaves do. And comfrey’s high potassium content makes it especially beneficial for flowers, vegetables (such as tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers), berries, and fruit trees.

Soil amendment.
Use freshly cut comfrey leaves (but not the flower stems in this case-they can root) as fertilizer in planting holes. The leaves break down rapidly and provide nutrients right at the roots.

Compost activator.
Comfrey is especially useful if you have lots of dry brown material and the pile is slow to heat up. Just layer the fresh comfrey leaves and stems in as you add other material to your pile.

Liquid fertilizer.
One of the best ways to tap your fertilizer factory is to brew comfrey tea. Fill a barrel or trash can about halfway with fresh comfrey, add water, cover it, and let it steep for 3 to 6 weeks. Comfrey tea smells foul, so brew it away from sensitive noses. The tea may be used full strength or diluted to about half strength – to the color of weak tea. Use it whenever you water your plants. It’s great for watering your plants. It’s great for watering stressed plants to help get them back on track.

Pest prevention and control.
Scientists at Moscow State University in Russia observed that powdery mildew spores that landed on wheat seedlings sprayed with comfrey tea did not germinate, and the wheat seedlings sprayed with comfrey tea did not germinate, and the wheat seedlings did not become infected. The researches concluded that the comfrey tea sprays had activated natural defense mechanisms in the wheat seedlings, making them more resistant to disease.

Read more: Nature, Lawns & Gardens

Adapted from Organic Gardening, June/July issue, published by Rodale Press.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Abbe A.

5:25PM PDT on Aug 12, 2012

thanks

August 12
send a green star

Mukesh R.

7:26AM PDT on Aug 6, 2012

thanks..

August 6
send a green star

Howard C.

10:57AM PDT on Aug 5, 2012

Thanks for posting, an informative article

August 5
send a green star

9:07AM PDT on Aug 5, 2012

Thank you!

Pravallika A.

4:06PM PDT on Aug 3, 2012

Thanks for the article

August 3
send a green star

Pat W.

9:56PM PDT on Aug 2, 2012

this is all well and good, but no one ever telss us where to get these plants that are to be so beneficial. makes it a litt frustrating.

August 2
send a green star

Eternal G.

7:01PM PDT on Aug 2, 2012

Here in Queensland it is prohibited as a medicinal plant! But not as a food plant... can you belief it? That's why I have planted 7... for now :) Simply because I trust Nature above Big Pharma and the government!

Donna H.

12:20PM PDT on Aug 2, 2012

Thanks for the article.

Terry V.

8:10PM PDT on Aug 1, 2012

thanks

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