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When to Plant Comfrey in Matagorda County, TX

Matagorda County, Texas Zone 9b May

Your May game plan for Matagorda County, Texas

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Matagorda County, Texas this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost February 19
Avg. first frost December 6
Soil temp (4") 76°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.4 hrs
  1. Basket week: comfrey

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

Get ahead of 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.

Matagorda County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 19 and the first fall frost is December 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 290 days.

At an elevation of 161 feet, Matagorda County receives approximately 57.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Comfrey may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Comfrey will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Comfrey root diseases.

Matagorda County, TX (Zone 9b) Year-round
290 days
Last Spring Frost February 19
290 growing days
First Fall Frost December 6

Matagorda County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (155 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 14 🍅 Harvest: Apr 18 – Jun 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (150 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 26 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – Jul 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (141 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 30

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 Matagorda County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.5) is more acidic than Comfrey prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Matagorda County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Comfrey will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.9%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Comfrey.

How to Plant Comfrey

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

Succession Planting Comfrey

5
successive plantings in your 290-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 07 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 456 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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Mar 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 6.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 7.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 9.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 7.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 6.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Matagorda 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 ~1,594 GDD — county provides 6,183 GDD Excellent fit

Comfrey Planting Timeline — Matagorda County, TX

Comfrey Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors February 26 Feb 26 – Mar 12
Harvest April 30 Apr 30 – Jul 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Transplant Outdoors
March Transplant Outdoors
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
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: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

290 days in Matagorda County

Growing Tips for Comfrey in Matagorda County

Direct sow Comfrey outdoors after February 19 in Matagorda County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Matagorda County dries quickly — mulch Comfrey with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

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 Matagorda County, TX?

Matagorda County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 19. Plan your Comfrey planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Matagorda County, TX?

Matagorda County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 19 and first fall frost is December 6.

🌱

Your Matagorda County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Matagorda County (Zone 9b). 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 Matagorda County, TX. 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.