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When to Plant Comfrey in Cuming County, NE

Comfrey is a vigorous perennial herb valued as a dynamic accumulator of nutrients. Its leaves make excellent mulch, compost activator, and liquid fertilizer.

Cuming County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.

At an elevation of 925 feet, Cuming County receives approximately 21.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Comfrey during the growing season.

Cuming County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
172 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
172 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Cuming County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Sep 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Sep 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 25

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Cuming County

How your county's soil matches Comfrey's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“7.2) overlaps with Comfrey's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Cuming County is excellent for Comfrey โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Comfrey.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). Annual compost additions will help Comfrey.

How to Plant Comfrey

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Comfrey

3
successive plantings in your 172-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 13 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,198 gal / 100 sq ft
Comfrey needs ~1,031 GDD — county provides 2,365 GDD Excellent fit

Comfrey Planting Timeline โ€” Cuming County, NE

Comfrey Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 13
Harvest July 1 Jul 1 โ€“ Sep 9

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 2-3 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

172 days in Cuming County

Growing Tips for Comfrey in Cuming County

Direct sow Comfrey outdoors after April 22 in Cuming County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Cuming County receives only 21" of rain annually. Comfrey needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Plant root cuttings 2 inches deep. Choose Bocking 14 variety to prevent self-seeding. Cut leaves 3-4 times per season for mulch or compost. Avoid planting near pathways as it spreads.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Comfrey in Cuming County, NE?

Cuming County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Comfrey planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cuming County, NE?

Cuming County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cuming County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Cuming County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.