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When to Plant Comfrey in Lonoke County, AR

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

Lonoke County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 1,126 feet, Lonoke County receives approximately 48.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Comfrey during the growing season.

Lonoke County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 5

Lonoke County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Aug 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 30

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 Lonoke County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7โ€“6.5) overlaps with Comfrey's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). 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 228-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 07 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 205 gal / 100 sq ft

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 โ€” 4.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Apr 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 4.3" 5.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 4.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Lonoke County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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 ~1,369 GDD — county provides 4,161 GDD Excellent fit

Comfrey Planting Timeline โ€” Lonoke County, AR

Comfrey Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 12
Harvest May 31 May 31 โ€“ Aug 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

228 days in Lonoke County

Growing Tips for Comfrey in Lonoke County

Direct sow Comfrey outdoors after March 22 in Lonoke 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 Lonoke County, AR?

Lonoke County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Comfrey planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lonoke County, AR?

Lonoke County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lonoke County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Lonoke County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.