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When to plant Comfrey in Eldridge, MO

In Eldridge, Comfrey is a single-season spring crop — there's no second fall window. Plant April 18–May 2 for an 90-day harvest, finishing well before the October 22 first frost.

When to Plant Comfrey in Eldridge, MO

Laclede County, Missouri Zone 6b June

June in Laclede County, Missouri — your action list

Welcome to June in Zone 6b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost April 11
Avg. first frost October 22
Soil temp (4") 75°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Harvest comfrey as they ripen

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

Looking ahead to July
  • 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.

Eldridge, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 772 feet, Laclede County receives approximately 33.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Comfrey during the growing season.

Eldridge, MO (Zone 6b) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Eldridge Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Comfrey Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Sep 12

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 Eldridge

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.9) overlaps with Comfrey's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Laclede 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

3
successive plantings in your 194-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 24 to harvest before frost.

Comfrey Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 578 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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Laclede 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 ~1,144 GDD — county provides 2,958 GDD Excellent fit

Comfrey Planting Timeline — Eldridge, MO

Comfrey Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 – May 2
Harvest June 20 Jun 20 – Aug 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

194 days in Laclede County

Growing Tips for Comfrey in Eldridge

Direct sow Comfrey outdoors after April 11 in Laclede 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 Eldridge, MO?

In Eldridge, MO, plant Comfrey after the last frost (around April 11) and before the first frost (around October 22). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Eldridge, MO for Comfrey?

Eldridge sits in USDA Zone 6b. Comfrey grows reliably in zones 3a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Comfrey grow in Eldridge's climate?

Yes — Comfrey grows well in Eldridge's temperate climate. Eldridge averages a 194-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 11 and first frost around October 22.

🌱

Your Laclede County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Laclede County (Zone 6b). 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 Laclede County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.