Blog

When to Plant Comfrey in Dimmit County, TX

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

Dimmit County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost is December 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 278 days.

At an elevation of 2,638 feet, Dimmit County receives approximately 63.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Comfrey during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Comfrey root diseases.

Dimmit County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
278 days
Last Spring Frost February 26
278 growing days
First Fall Frost December 1

Dimmit County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (141 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 20 🍅 Harvest: Apr 24 – Jul 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – Jul 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Aug 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 Dimmit County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“7.3) overlaps with Comfrey's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Dimmit County is excellent for Comfrey โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help Comfrey.

How to Plant Comfrey

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

Succession Planting Comfrey

5
successive plantings in your 278-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 02 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 121 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 โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 2" 2.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Mar 4.3" 4" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Apr 4.3" 6.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 9.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 11.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 8.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 8.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2" 2.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Dec 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Febโ€“Dec in Dimmit County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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 ~1,538 GDD — county provides 5,719 GDD Excellent fit

Comfrey Planting Timeline โ€” Dimmit County, TX

Comfrey Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Harvest May 7 May 7 โ€“ Jul 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

278 days in Dimmit County

Growing Tips for Comfrey in Dimmit County

Direct sow Comfrey outdoors after February 26 in Dimmit 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 Dimmit County, TX?

Dimmit County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 26. Plan your Comfrey planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dimmit County, TX?

Dimmit County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and first fall frost is December 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Dimmit County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Dimmit County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.