There are currently two threads seeking comfrey (and I am also). Makes me wonder if, for someone, growing comfrey for the sale of root cuttings through Countryside, and possible other, magazines might not be a small sideline enterprise for someone.

I know it had a terrible tendance to spread through the roots being cut, but perhaps beds could be made in old tractor tires. The local coop will even help you load them so they don't have to dispose of them.

I remember seeing comfrey is some garden catalog several years ago and six sprigs were over $1 each as I recall.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), May 15, 2001

Answers

Hi Ken I can't help you out with a plant across the border but Richter's Herbs sell the plants, seeds, and also dried leaves and roots of the common comfrey and plants for two other varieties. They do send into the US www.richters.com

-- Terri in NS (terri@tallships.ca), May 15, 2001.

Ken -

Sold dried comfrey root for years, but it was stuff I'd purchased bulk and repackaged. It WAS profitable... Bags at less than .05 and the root I bought already chopped at $12 per pound. Sold 1 and 2 oz packages (hand labelled) for $2 and $4 respective. Someone growing the stuff would only have to watch for the spreading tendancies - it can be invasive - as it requires relatively little care compared with other produce.

If I had the room, I'd be growing some right now, lol!!!

Also, value-added products such as healing salves sell exceptionally well, require very little work, few ingredients and little cost. The biggest expense would be the food grade containers. Mine sell for over $12 at health food stores, and they are 3.5 ounces.

-- Sue Diederich (willow666@rocketmail.com), May 15, 2001.

Hi Ken I have lots of comphrey. e-mail me with the amount you need and I'll see if I have enough to fill your order. These will be roots.

-- michelle (tsjheath@nci2.net), May 19, 2001.

I have comfrey too. Right now it's blooming. It's very invasive, but there's not much right in that area of anything else important. Comfrey has many uses, so guess it's worth it.

If anyone is interested, email me and I can send some. I'm in Wisconsin.

-- Carole (coverga@bminet.com), May 25, 2001.

Will comfrey grow in pots. We close on our place next month but will not be moving for a while. I have chives, mint, basil and oregano waiting to be planted in the ground next month. Can I do the same with comfrey?

-- Cordy (ckaylegian@aol.com), May 25, 2001.

I sell Comfrey my ad is in countryside each spring 10 root cuttings $9.95 postpaid. spring shipment only, I have sold hundreds of comfrey roots over the years in countryside. Comfrey is a great fodder for livestock, hogs, chickens, ducks, rabbits, goats, etc. Also a good healing herb for poulticies burns, wounds, cuts.

-- Bruce Burdge (comfreybruce@richmond.com), July 11, 2001.