Blog

When to plant Comfrey in Compton,

Plant Comfrey in Compton during the brief April 12–April 26 window. With 213 frost-free days, fall plantings can't mature before November 4.

When to Plant Comfrey in Compton, MD

Compton, MD Zone 8a June

Your June gardening checklist

A quick June briefing for Compton, MD gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost April 5
Avg. first frost November 4
Soil temp (4") 79°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Start harvesting comfrey

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

July will be here before you know it — start on
  • 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.

Compton, Maryland is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 213 days.

At an elevation of 156 feet, St. Mary's County receives approximately 41.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Comfrey during the growing season.

Compton, MD (Zone 8a) Long season
213 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
213 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4

Compton Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Comfrey Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Sep 13

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 Compton

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–6.9) overlaps with Comfrey's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). 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 213-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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 344 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 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Dec 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in St. Mary's 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 ~1,425 GDD — county provides 4,047 GDD Excellent fit

Comfrey Planting Timeline — Compton, MD

Comfrey Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 12 Apr 12 – Apr 26
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 – Aug 23

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

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

213 days in St. Mary's County

Growing Tips for Comfrey in Compton

Direct sow Comfrey outdoors after April 05 in St. Mary's 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 Compton, ?

In Compton, , plant Comfrey after the last frost (around April 5) and before the first frost (around November 4). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Compton, for Comfrey?

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

Can Comfrey grow in Compton's climate?

Yes — Comfrey grows well in Compton's temperate climate. Compton averages a 213-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 5 and first frost around November 4.

🌱

Your St. Mary's County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for St. Mary's 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.

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 St. Mary's County, MD. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.