Comfrey Root Cuttings - Bocking 14

Comfrey Root Cuttings - Bocking 14

12 Cuttings
$15.99
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Comfrey Root Cuttings - Bocking 14

Comfrey Root Cuttings - Bocking 14

Build an economical, dependable comfrey patch for mulch, compost, and soil feeding—without worrying about self-seeding.

$15.99
Number of Cuttings

🚚 Ships Mondays starting Late March/Early April
✅ Live arrival guarantee
✅ 30-day establishment guarantee

  • Most cost-effective way to plant larger areas (rows, orchard alleys, food forest zones, compost-adjacent beds)
  • Non-seeding Bocking 14: stays where you put it—spreads by clumping, not by seed
  • Turns bare soil into a living system: shade the ground, reduce weed pressure, and support moisture retention
  • Biomass on demand: cut for chop-and-drop mulch, compost feedstock, and soil-building routines
  • Hardy perennial (Zones 4–9) grown on our farm and packed to arrive ready to plant

Garden edges and composting areas quickly turns into grassy weeds, crusty dryness, and constant upkeep—right where you want things tidy, accessible, and productive. Weeds move in fast, steal moisture and nutrients, and turn what should be a clean border or easy compost workflow into a recurring chore of trimming, pulling, and re-clearing.

Bocking 14 comfrey root cuttings are the most economical way to build a low-fuss border or biomass patch at scale. You plant once, water them in, and let comfrey do what it does best: produce dependable biomass you can cut for chop-and-drop mulch, compost feedstock, and long-term soil cycling—without the risk of self-seeding spread.

These cuttings are offered in pack sizes of 12, 25, or 75 so you can start small or establish larger areas efficiently. And when we can, we’ll include a few extras to improve your odds of getting your full stand established.


Why these Root Cuttings Work (and Why Bocking 14 Root Cuttings)

Bocking 14 (non-seeding) gives you confidence

You get comfrey’s famous benefits—biomass, pollinators, and soil cycling—without worrying about it spreading by seed. Bocking 14 stays where you plant it and expands by clumping over time.

Root cuttings are the best way to plant bigger areas economically

If you’re building a patch, a row, or an orchard understory system, root cuttings give you the lowest cost per plant. They’re ideal for growers who care more about getting coverage and long-term output than instant above-ground growth.

Dormant shipping = less stress, better transit durability

Dormant cuttings travel well, handle shipping conditions better than leafy plants, and are ready to wake up once planted into moist soil.

Made for compost feedstock and mulch production

Once established, comfrey becomes a reliable “biomass engine” you can cut and cycle into your system—supporting moisture retention, weed suppression, and nutrient movement around your trees and beds.


Root Cuttings: Best for / Not for

Best for

  • Establishing larger areas economically (orchard alleys, food forest zones, long rows, garden borders, compost-adjacent beds)

  • Growers who want maximum plants per dollar

  • Understory systems where you’ll harvest biomass for mulch/compost

  • Homesteaders who want a plant-once perennial that comes back for years

Not for

  • Anyone who wants the fastest visible results (crowns, plugs, or plants are quicker above ground)

  • People who can’t keep the area evenly moist for the first couple weeks

  • Spots that will be disturbed (digging, repeated foot traffic, cultivation) while cuttings are sprouting

  • Very small containers only (comfrey performs best in-ground with room to root)


The Simple 3-step plan for Root Cuttings

  1. Choose your pack size
    Start with 12 to trial placement, 25 to build a patch, or 75 to establish a serious stand.

  2. Plant & keep evenly moist
    Plant cuttings 2–3" deep and prioritize moisture during the first 10–14 days—this is the #1 factor for success.

  3. Cut & cycle the biomass
    Once established, cut leaves for chop-and-drop mulch or compost inputs and let the plant regrow—season after season.

What you’ll receive

  • Dormant Bocking 14 comfrey root cuttings (your chosen pack size: 12, 25, or 75)

  • Freshly cut + ready to plant upon arrival

  • Packed to stay protected and viable in transit (dormant cuttings ship tough)

  • Extras when possible: When we have additional viable cuttings available, we’ll include a few at no charge to improve the odds you end up with your intended number of plants established

  • Quick-start planting guide (simple steps for depth, spacing, and the “first two weeks” watering plan)

Good to know: Root cuttings arrive dormant (no leaves). That’s normal—and often better for shipping. With moisture and warming soil, they’ll wake up and send shoots.


Choose your pack size (quick guide)

12 Root Cuttings — “Try it and place it right”

Best if you’re:

  • Testing a few locations (under trees, compost area, bed edges)

  • New to comfrey and want a small, low-risk start

  • Planning to expand later by dividing plants once established

25 Root Cuttings — “Build a real patch”

Best if you’re:

  • Creating a dedicated mulch/compost supply zone

  • Planting around multiple trees or along a short orchard edge

  • Wanting noticeable biomass production without going “full stand” yet

75 Root Cuttings — “Establish at scale”

Best if you’re:

  • Planting orchard alleys, longer rows, or a food forest system

  • Building a serious biomass engine for chop-and-drop and compost

  • Prioritizing the lowest cost per plant to cover more ground efficiently

Rule of thumb:

  • Choose 12 if you’re experimenting

  • Choose 25 if you’re building a patch

  • Choose 75 if you’re planting rows / orchard systems at scale

What to expect

(Weather and soil moisture affect timing—cuttings are typically slower than crowns, but great for scaling.)

  • Sprout / first shoots: often 2–5 weeks after planting in good conditions
  • First light harvest: typically later in the first season once plants are established and putting on strong growth
  • Full production: generally season 2, when plants are mature enough for heavier, repeat cutting
  • Ongoing cut schedule: once established, you can cut when growth reaches ~18" and allow time to regrow between cuts

Planting & Establishment Guide

Light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Most soils work; best performance in reasonably well-drained soil with organic matter

Spacing:

  • Patch/understory: 24" apart
  • Row planting: 18–24" apart depending on how dense you want the stand

Planting depth & orientation:

  • Bury cuttings horizontally 2–3 inches deep (or vertical is fine if you prefer), then firm soil and water in

Water:

  • Keep evenly moist during the first 10–14 days (this is the #1 success factor for cuttings)
  • After establishment, water mainly during drought

Mulch: Light mulch helps hold moisture—especially in exposed orchard soils

Top 3 success tips:

  1. Plant promptly after delivery (don’t let cuttings dry out)
  2. Prioritize moisture the first 2 weeks
  3. Mark planting spots so you don’t accidentally disturb them while they’re sprouting

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Comfrey FAQ

Is this sterile (non-seeding) Bocking 14 Comfrey?

Yes—this is Bocking 14, a sterile comfrey type that spreads by clumping rather than self-seeding.

Will Bocking 14 Comfrey “take over” my yard?

It doesn’t spread by seed, but it’s a persistent perennial where planted. Choose your location intentionally and avoid moving soil containing root pieces.

Where should I plant my Bocking 14 Comfrey?

Plant your comfrey under fruit trees, along edges, or near compost systems — places where you’ll benefit from biomass and living mulch.

How many comfrey crowns or comfrey plants do I need?

For patches, start with a few and expand as you learn how much biomass you want. Many growers build around 1–3 plants per tree area over time depending on spacing and goals.

Space 3 plants plants 1 1/2 to 2 feet apart in a triangle configuration for complete coverage under a tree.

How many comfrey root pieces do I need?

Root pieces should be spaced about 1 1/2-2 feet apart. Measure the length of row you want to fill and divide by 1 1/2 to 2 feet to determine how many root cutting pieces you need. Closer planting results in quicker fill and more dense ground cover.

When can I harvest comfrey?

Harvest once the plant is established and putting on strong growth. A common rule is to cut when foliage reaches ~18" tall.

Allow first year plants to establish well before harvesting heavily.

After the first year you can harvest 3-4 times per year.

Can I grow comfrey in a container?

It can be grown in a large container, but comfrey prefers room to root and will perform best in-ground.

What if it arrives looking tired or wilted?

Some transit stress is normal. Plant promptly, water in, and keep evenly moist during the first couple of weeks.

Your plant should recover completely in a couple weeks.

What zones does it grow in?

Comfrey grows well in USDA Zones 4-9.

Comfrey Shipping and Guarantee

Shipping Policy and Schedule

We ship between Late March and November/December as the weather allows. We may also hold shipments during extreme heat/cold to protect live plants.

We only ship plants within the Continental United States. Orders to addresses outside of the Continental United States will be canceled (with refund).

Orders placed by Saturday 12 PM ET ship the following Monday/Tuesday to reduce time in the shipping system. If there will be a change in this schedule, we'll advise you of the expected shipping schedule after you place your order.

Bare-root comfrey products travel in moist shredded cardboard, with leaves trimmed to reduce wilting. Potted comfrey products travel in their pots wrapped in plastic, with leaves trimmed to reduce wilting.

Guarantee

Live-arrival guarantee: If your comfrey arrives unusable, we’ll replace it. Simply let us know - no photos, no hassle

30-day establishment guarantee: If a comfrey plant, crown, or root cutting fails to establish within 30 days during the growing season, we send a free replacement for failed plants on our next shipping cycle -no photos, no hassle.