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When to Plant Comfrey in Falls County, TX

Falls County, Texas Zone 8b May

May in the garden — Falls County, Texas

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost March 17
Avg. first frost November 13
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for comfrey

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

A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
  • 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.

Falls County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 17 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 241 days.

At an elevation of 66 feet, Falls County receives approximately 66.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 97°F, so Comfrey may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Comfrey, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Comfrey root diseases.

Falls County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
241 days
Last Spring Frost March 17
241 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13
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Falls County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7.1-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Aug 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 26

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 Falls County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.1–8.2) is more alkaline than Comfrey prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Your clay soil in Falls County is workable for Comfrey. Add compost annually to improve structure.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). 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 241-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 15 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 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 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 6.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 10" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 9.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 9.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Falls 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 ~1,706 GDD — county provides 5,482 GDD Excellent fit

Comfrey Planting Timeline — Falls County, TX

Comfrey Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 24 Mar 24 – Apr 7
Harvest May 26 May 26 – Aug 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

241 days in Falls County

Growing Tips for Comfrey in Falls County

Direct sow Comfrey outdoors after March 17 in Falls County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Falls County's clay soil (36% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Comfrey. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

With summer highs reaching 97°F in Falls County, provide afternoon shade for Comfrey and water deeply in the morning.

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 Falls County, TX?

Falls County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 17. Plan your Comfrey planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Falls County, TX?

Falls County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 17 and first fall frost is November 13.

🌱

Your Falls County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Falls County (Zone 8b). 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 Falls County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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