I am wanting to make comfrey feed but my large plant is covered in flowers - and bees. ! When is the best time to cut it down ? I don't want to deprive the bees of their food ! I live in Lancashire.
It's a dilemma I always have moushie; Once flowering, they are constantly being attended by bees.
As it's the leaves you need for the 'tea', you can strip those and leave the stems and flowers for a while.
Probably the best bet though is to cut half of it down completely and leave the rest for a while. Then cut the other half down when the new growth has got going which will be in flower before you know it.
I harvest mine several times a year.
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
I should think it's at its most nutritious when the leaves are fully formed but before it puts effort into making flowers, you can harvest the lot several times a year like that. Need to keep one for the bees though
Many thanks for your replies. I have cut down half the comfrey to make the feed. The bees looked a bit surprised but it was not long before they were back again !
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It's a dilemma I always have moushie; Once flowering, they are constantly being attended by bees.
As it's the leaves you need for the 'tea', you can strip those and leave the stems and flowers for a while.
Probably the best bet though is to cut half of it down completely and leave the rest for a while. Then cut the other half down when the new growth has got going which will be in flower before you know it.
I harvest mine several times a year.
I should think it's at its most nutritious when the leaves are fully formed but before it puts effort into making flowers, you can harvest the lot several times a year like that. Need to keep one for the bees though
In the sticks near Peterborough
Many thanks for your replies. I have cut down half the comfrey to make the feed. The bees looked a bit surprised but it was not long before they were back again !