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When to Plant Comfrey in Faulkner County, AR

Faulkner County, Arkansas Zone 8a May

What to do in May

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Faulkner County, Arkansas this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost March 26
Avg. first frost November 3
Soil temp (4") 70°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.8 hrs
Get ahead of June
  • First harvests: comfrey

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

Faulkner County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 222 days.

At an elevation of 211 feet, Faulkner County receives approximately 52.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Comfrey during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Comfrey root diseases.

Faulkner County, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
222 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
222 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3
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Faulkner County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Aug 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Aug 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Sep 2

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 Faulkner County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.8) overlaps with Comfrey's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Faulkner County is excellent for Comfrey — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). Annual compost additions will help Comfrey.

How to Plant Comfrey

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

Succession Planting Comfrey

4
successive plantings in your 222-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 05 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 3 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Comfrey

Comfrey needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Comfrey Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Faulkner County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Comfrey Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Comfrey needs ~1,481 GDD — county provides 4,384 GDD Excellent fit

Comfrey Planting Timeline — Faulkner County, AR

Comfrey Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 – Apr 16
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 – Aug 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

222 days in Faulkner County

Growing Tips for Comfrey in Faulkner County

Direct sow Comfrey outdoors after March 26 in Faulkner County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Comfrey in Faulkner County, AR?

Faulkner County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Comfrey planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Faulkner County, AR?

Faulkner County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 3.

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Your Faulkner County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Faulkner County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Faulkner County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.