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When to Plant Comfrey in Taylor County, WI

Taylor County, Wisconsin Zone 4a August

What to do in August

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Taylor County, Wisconsin this August and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost May 16
Avg. first frost September 29
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.9 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for comfrey

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

September will be here before you know it — start on
  • 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.

Taylor County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 136 days.

At an elevation of 632 feet, Taylor County receives approximately 33.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Comfrey to ensure they mature before fall.

Taylor County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
136 days
Last Spring Frost May 16
136 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

Taylor County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Comfrey Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 28
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Oct 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (0 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Oct 13

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 Taylor County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9–6.7) overlaps with Comfrey's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Taylor County is excellent for Comfrey — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) — Comfrey will thrive.

How to Plant Comfrey

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

Succession Planting Comfrey

2
successive plantings in your 136-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 01 to harvest before frost.

Comfrey Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Taylor 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 ~750 GDD — county provides 1,360 GDD Excellent fit

Comfrey Planting Timeline — Taylor County, WI

Comfrey Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 23 May 23 – Jun 6
Harvest July 25 Jul 25 – Oct 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June Transplant Outdoors
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4a

📆 Growing Season

136 days in Taylor County

Growing Tips for Comfrey in Taylor County

Direct sow Comfrey outdoors after May 16 in Taylor 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 Taylor County, WI?

Taylor County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 16. Plan your Comfrey planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Taylor County, WI?

Taylor County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 16 and first fall frost is September 29.

🌱

Your Taylor County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Taylor County (Zone 4a). 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 Taylor County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

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