Blog

When to Plant Comfrey in Terrebonne Parish, LA

Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana Zone 9b May

May to-do list for Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana

Welcome to May in Zone 9b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost February 7
Avg. first frost December 8
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs
  1. Basket week: comfrey

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

Looking ahead to June
  • First harvests: comfrey

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 7 and the first fall frost is December 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 304 days.

At an elevation of 484 feet, Terrebonne Parish receives approximately 61.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 102°F, so Comfrey may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Comfrey will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Comfrey root diseases.

Terrebonne Parish, LA (Zone 9b) Year-round
304 days
Last Spring Frost February 7
304 growing days
First Fall Frost December 8
Share this guide:

Terrebonne Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (171 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 1 🍅 Harvest: Apr 5 – Jun 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (164 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 14 🍅 Harvest: Apr 18 – Jun 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (149 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jul 26

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 Terrebonne Parish

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.1–6.4) is more acidic than Comfrey prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Terrebonne Parish warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Comfrey will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Comfrey.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (2.0%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Comfrey.

How to Plant Comfrey

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

Succession Planting Comfrey

6
successive plantings in your 304-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 09 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 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 5.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 4.3" 6.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Terrebonne Parish). 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 ~1,988 GDD — county provides 8,082 GDD Excellent fit

Comfrey Planting Timeline — Terrebonne Parish, LA

Comfrey Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors February 14 Feb 14 – Feb 28
Harvest April 18 Apr 18 – Jun 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

304 days in Terrebonne Parish

Growing Tips for Comfrey in Terrebonne Parish

Direct sow Comfrey outdoors after February 07 in Terrebonne Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Terrebonne Parish dries quickly — mulch Comfrey with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 102°F in Terrebonne Parish, provide afternoon shade for Comfrey and water deeply in the morning.

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 Terrebonne Parish, LA?

Terrebonne Parish is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 7. Plan your Comfrey planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Terrebonne Parish, LA?

Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 7 and first fall frost is December 8.

🌱

Your Terrebonne Parish Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Terrebonne Parish (Zone 9b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Terrebonne Parish, LA. 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.