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When to plant Comfrey in Hampton, AR

In Hampton, Comfrey is a single-season spring crop — there's no second fall window. Plant March 29–April 12 for an 60–90-day harvest, finishing well before the November 4 first frost.

When to Plant Comfrey in Hampton, AR

Calhoun County, Arkansas Zone 8a August

August in the garden — Calhoun County, Arkansas

Welcome to August in Zone 8a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost March 22
Avg. first frost November 4
Soil temp (4") 92°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.2 hrs
  1. Harvest comfrey as they ripen

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

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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.

Hampton, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 227 days.

At an elevation of 1,246 feet, Calhoun County receives approximately 52.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94°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.

Hampton, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
227 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
227 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4

Hampton Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Comfrey Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Aug 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 27

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 Hampton

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.9) overlaps with Comfrey's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). 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 227-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 06 to harvest before frost.

Comfrey Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 43 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 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Calhoun 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 ~1,538 GDD — county provides 4,653 GDD Excellent fit

Comfrey Planting Timeline — Hampton, AR

Comfrey Planting Calendar

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

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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

227 days in Calhoun County

Growing Tips for Comfrey in Hampton

Direct sow Comfrey outdoors after March 22 in Calhoun 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 →

When should I plant Comfrey in Hampton, AR?

In Hampton, AR, plant Comfrey after the last frost (around March 22) and before the first frost (around November 4). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Hampton, AR for Comfrey?

Hampton sits in USDA Zone 8a. Comfrey grows reliably in zones 3a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Comfrey grow in Hampton's climate?

Yes — Comfrey grows well in Hampton's temperate climate. Hampton averages a 227-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 22 and first frost around November 4.

🌱

Your Calhoun County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Calhoun 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 Calhoun County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.