Blog

When to Plant Comfrey in Columbia County, WI

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

Columbia County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 692 feet, Columbia County receives approximately 35.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Comfrey to ensure they mature before fall.

Columbia County, WI (Zone 5a) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Columbia County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Comfrey Planting Timeline — Columbia County, WI

Comfrey Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 10 May 10 – May 24
Harvest July 12 Jul 12 – Sep 20

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

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

157 days in Columbia County

Growing Tips for Columbia County

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 Columbia County, WI?

Columbia County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Comfrey planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Columbia County, WI?

Columbia County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 7.

🌱

Your Columbia County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Columbia County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Sources & credits

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