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When to Plant Comfrey in Lane County, OR

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

Lane County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 48 feet, Lane County receives approximately 50.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Comfrey to ensure they mature before fall. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Comfrey root diseases.

Lane County, OR (Zone 8a) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Lane County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Sep 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 28

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Comfrey needs ~806 GDD — county provides 2,010 GDD Excellent fit

Comfrey Planting Timeline โ€” Lane County, OR

Comfrey Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 12
Harvest June 30 Jun 30 โ€“ Sep 8

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 Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 8a

Growing Season

187 days

Growing Tips for Lane County

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 Lane County, OR?

Lane County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Comfrey planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lane County, OR?

Lane County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lane County gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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