Does any Fig growers use Comfrey to fertilise their fig trees? Some say the chop and drop method does wonders for their trees and plants

Annie,
Yes, I use it in the chop and drop method for my in ground fruit tree orchard, its planted in between the trees, with a separate bed in the garden. The chickens and rabbits also love it.

I will be using it for in ground figs also, but am not there yet (not many in ground trees). My supplier was  Coe's comfrey, http://www.coescomfrey.com/grow.html , but I have not purchased from him in years, since my original order.

Something new to research and possibly, try.

I grow comfrey as a groundcover around many of my fruit trees.  Large dense leaves outcompete the grass, and it's coarse root structure doesn't compete with my trees' finer feeder roots.  Chop and drop works good, I have to cut it several times a season to control it's growth, great compost additive, and it's also a terrific ingredient in my liquid 'plant manure tea' fertilizer.   My chickens and pigs like it too.  I started with one patch of it five years back and now have spread it around by using root cuttings- really easy one to propagate.  Just put it where you'd never want to be rid of it, because it's difficult to eradicate once established.  I'd be happy to share/trade....

I wish I could use comfrey I have heard that becomes invasive. However, I have planted several plants and instead of spreading, they grow for a while and then eventually die off. I wanted to chop and drop, but never was able to grow enough to make a dent.

I do use chop and drop extensively, but with other plants. On my land, the wild mustard grows like crazy. It is a weed, but it fixes nitrogen in the soil and also eliminates nematodes. I also plant a lot of cover crops to chop and drop. The ones that do well for me are biomass peas, crimson clover, and hairy vetch.

I would say comfrey is a great cover crop for chop and drop. But, each person should find what works best in their situation. I read a lot of permaculture books and found myself struggling to grow things they suggested. Then, I researched the weeds already growing on my property and found that I already had some great material to work with.

Paul,
I practice chop and drop with all my ground cover (weeds including vetch, mints, mustard, ground ivy, etc) also, including planting annual rye grass and forage oats in early spring and field peas (cow peas) in late spring early summer. There's lots of info on the web on ground covers and green manures that can be used in different locations and zones. An earlier topic on "Green Mulch" discussed some methods used by members http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=6080113 , including a few links to Masanobu Fukuoka and his method.

Comfrey can be started in raised beds or borders and and the selected cultivars (Bocking) are not as invasive as the wild cultivar which can be spread by seeds. They need lots of fertilizer to get started, but once established they pretty much take care of themselves. The benefits of Comfrey has been widely documented, it's a natural NPK fertilizer that you can grow yourself : )

I live in Malaysia, last year my sister sent me some Comfrey roots from Canada. I babied them and now I have beautiful clumps of Comfrey all over the garden. I must say they really do well here where its hot and humid. I allow the seeds to fall where is as is. There are many uses for the leaves aside from fetiliser, you can use the leaves to heal broken bones or make a tea to drink. Some people eat the young leaves now and then though many "experts" say the leaves can cause liver failure. I would encourage those who  have not planted them yet, to do so quickly. You won't regret it. Plant them in small planter boxes so they need not be an invasive plant.

My comfrey has not spread by self-seeding.   I don't know if it's one of the sterile strains of the plant or if it's because they are all clones from the same original mother plant so don't produce viable seeds through lack of cross pollination.   Tillage or digging at the roots will quickly create more plants in the immediate area as each separated root sends up its own shoot.   The soil under these plants becomes a beautiful dark crumbly loam, really alive with worms and other soil critters.

You knew this question was coming.........  Do gophers eat comfrey?  I'm all intrigued about this chop and drop method and since JD is getting a chipper for his BD, I'm looking at buying a couple #14 roots.

So, do gophers love the roots?

Suzi

it is also excellent fiberous food for chickens and rabbits. Luscious leaves and amazing beautiful blossoms.  they do not do well in containers, as their roots need to go very deep (like their cousins dandelions).  I think a 5 gallon pot without a bottom and buried in an area, may prevent the spread.  I have not had any luck with seed sprouting, maybe as my birds eat the flowers before the seed matures.

I visited an amazing demonstration garden here and their 100 y.o. orchard ground is covered with ancient comfrey. By the end of the summer, without watering, the comfrey dies back and the leaves wilt forming an amazing ground cover. it desintegrates rather quickly feeding the soil for the trees.

I have blue and lavendar blossoms. Still young but would love to trade for other colors also. If you have any spare, lets trade.   I got my plants for free from my community garden and by walking by and asking garden owners for it. 
  It is an amazing plant, in Brazil, in rurual places, it is used to wounds and other skin illness. the leaf is  'steamed' and applied directly on the area.  Some even claim it cures stomach ulcers for its healing proprieties.  Well, I like it very much and think we all should have some.

On the same topic,  I wonder if anyone tried 'crimson clover' among baby fig trees. I wil post a separate post to show what I mean.  

Grase, the COmfrey will heal wounds but only at the top, skin level, but below it, it won't heal so be careful. To the earlier message, yes do that, put a bottomless container and plant the Comfrey, it will discourage it from spreading.