Comfrey Bocking 14 - organic (per piece)

A Versatile Gem in Organic Gardening: Consoude Bocking 14

Originating from a natural hybrid in England, Consoude Bocking 14 is renowned for its diverse applications in organic gardening and permaculture. Unlike many plants, it propagates through cuttings rather than seeds, making it a practical choice for gardeners. This variety boasts large, dark green, rough, and hairy leaves, adorned with small, nectar-rich purple or blue-violet flowers. It serves excellently as a green manure in vegetable gardens, thanks to its deep roots that extract nutrients from the soil. Additionally, its nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus-rich leaves enhance soil quality when composted, making it an excellent soil improver and a natural fertilizer stimulant.

Cultivation Tips for Consoude Bocking 14

This variety spreads through root division since it does not produce viable seeds. You can plant a root piece directly into the ground or in a pot from October to the end of March, avoiding planting during extremely cold conditions below 0°C. It thrives in a wide range of soil types and can grow in full sun or partial shade.

To maximize biomass production, it’s advisable to trim the leaves before flowering.

Gardening Benefits

• Green Manure: Its deep roots absorb nutrients such as potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen from the soil, making them available to other plants when its leaves decompose.

• Soil Improver: When composted or used as mulch, the leaves enrich the soil with organic matter and essential nutrients.

• Natural Fertilizer: The liquid fertilizer made from its leaves is a potent growth stimulant for plants.

How to Make Your Own Comfrey Fertilizer

Creating comfrey fertilizer is an eco-friendly and effective way to produce a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer. Follow these steps:

Materials Needed:

• Fresh comfrey leaves
• A large container (like a bucket or barrel)
• Rainwater or non-chlorinated water
• A cover (lid or cloth)
• A filter (like an old cloth or sieve)

Preparation Steps:

1. Harvest Leaves: Gather comfrey leaves, ideally before flowering for maximum nutrient value.
2. Chop Leaves: Roughly chop the leaves to increase surface area and speed up fermentation.
3. Fill Container: Place the chopped leaves in the container, filling it about two-thirds full.
4. Add Water: Cover the leaves with water, preferably rainwater to avoid chlorine that can hinder fermentation.
5. Fermentation: Cover the container with a lid or cloth and let it ferment for about 2 to 4 weeks, depending on ambient temperature.
6. Stir Regularly: Stir the mixture every few days to enhance fermentation and nutrient release.
7. End of Fermentation: It’s ready when bubbling stops and the liquid turns dark brown with a strong odor.
8. Filter: Strain the liquid to remove leaf remnants.
9. Dilution for Use: Dilute the fertilizer before application, commonly in a ratio of 10% fertilizer to 90% water.

Application:

Use it as a liquid fertilizer for watering plants or as a foliar spray, particularly beneficial for plants in their growth phase, flowering plants, and fruit-bearing vegetables.

Tips:

Store any remaining fertilizer in sealed containers away from light. Use the diluted fertilizer within a few days for optimal effectiveness. Avoid applying it to young seedlings or in excessive concentrations to prevent burning.