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When to Plant Comfrey in Fulton County, OH

Fulton County, Ohio Zone 6a May

This month in Fulton County, Ohio

Your Fulton County, Ohio garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost April 29
Avg. first frost October 15
Soil temp (4") 58°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Transplant comfrey outside

    Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.

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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.

Fulton County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 169 days.

At an elevation of 1,045 feet, Fulton County receives approximately 34.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Comfrey during the growing season.

Fulton County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
169 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
169 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15

Fulton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Sep 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Transplant: May 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Oct 4

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 Fulton County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.9) overlaps with Comfrey's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Comfrey.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.1%) — Comfrey will thrive.

How to Plant Comfrey

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

Succession Planting Comfrey

3
successive plantings in your 169-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 17 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 808 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 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Fulton 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 2,577 GDD Excellent fit

Comfrey Planting Timeline — Fulton County, OH

Comfrey Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 6 May 6 – May 20
Harvest July 8 Jul 8 – Sep 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 6a

📆 Growing Season

169 days in Fulton County

Growing Tips for Comfrey in Fulton County

Direct sow Comfrey outdoors after April 29 in Fulton 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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Comfrey in Fulton County, OH?

Fulton County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Comfrey planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fulton County, OH?

Fulton County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 15.

🌱

Your Fulton County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Fulton County (Zone 6a). 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 Fulton County, OH. 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.