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When to plant Comfrey in Mountain View, MO

Mountain View sits in cold Zone 7a. Plant Comfrey April 16–April 30 for the single annual harvest; the October 25 first frost closes the window.

When to Plant Comfrey in Mountain View, MO

Howell County, Missouri Zone 7a July

Top priorities for Howell County, Missouri gardeners in July

July rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Howell County, Missouri.

Avg. last frost April 9
Avg. first frost October 25
Soil temp (4") 82°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for comfrey

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

Coming up in August — start thinking about
  • 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.

Mountain View, Missouri is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 696 feet, Howell County receives approximately 36.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Comfrey during the growing season.

Mountain View, MO (Zone 7a) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Mountain View Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Comfrey Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Aug 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Sep 9

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 Mountain View

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.6) overlaps with Comfrey's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). 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 199-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 27 to harvest before frost.

Comfrey Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 488 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 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Howell 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 3,034 GDD Excellent fit

Comfrey Planting Timeline — Mountain View, MO

Comfrey Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 – Apr 30
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 – Aug 27

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 7a

📆 Growing Season

199 days in Howell County

Growing Tips for Comfrey in Mountain View

Direct sow Comfrey outdoors after April 09 in Howell 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 Mountain View, MO?

In Mountain View, MO, plant Comfrey after the last frost (around April 9) and before the first frost (around October 25). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Mountain View, MO for Comfrey?

Mountain View sits in USDA Zone 7a. Comfrey grows reliably in zones 3a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Comfrey grow in Mountain View's climate?

Yes — Comfrey grows well in Mountain View's temperate climate. Mountain View averages a 199-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 9 and first frost around October 25.

🌱

Your Howell County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Howell County (Zone 7a). 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 Howell County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.