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When to Plant Comfrey in Parker County, TX

Parker County, Texas Zone 8a June

What to do in June

June is a pivotal month for Parker County, Texas gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost March 18
Avg. first frost November 12
Soil temp (4") 66°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Basket week: comfrey

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

Looking ahead to July
  • 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.

Parker County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 239 days.

At an elevation of 4,469 feet, Parker County receives approximately 60.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Comfrey during the growing season. 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.

Parker County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
239 days
Last Spring Frost March 18
239 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Parker County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7.1-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Comfrey 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 (99 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Aug 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 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 Parker County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.1–8.4) is more alkaline than Comfrey prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). 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 239-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 14 to harvest before frost.

Comfrey Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 9.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 9.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Parker 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 ~1,256 GDD — county provides 4,003 GDD Excellent fit

Comfrey Planting Timeline — Parker County, TX

Comfrey Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 25 Mar 25 – Apr 8
Harvest May 27 May 27 – Aug 5

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

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 8a

📆 Growing Season

239 days in Parker County

Growing Tips for Comfrey in Parker County

Direct sow Comfrey outdoors after March 18 in Parker County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Parker County's clay soil (38% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Comfrey. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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 Parker County, TX?

Parker County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 18. Plan your Comfrey planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Parker County, TX?

Parker County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 18 and first fall frost is November 12.

🌱

Your Parker County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Parker County (Zone 8a). 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 Parker County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.