[adri123]

Down the road from us we have masses of comfrey.  When is it best to start harvesting to make comfrey tea etc?

Adri

[gavinjconway]

I start cutting when the leaves are about 1 foot long...

[Yana]

What about if there are flowers? I leave some for the bees but can I add flowers to the tea mixture and let it soak?

[gavinjconway]

I start with the leaves and by the 3rd or 4th cutting the plant has grown a bit so the whole thing gets chopped up..

[Yana]

I was told that it's ready to use when it doesn't smell anymore. Is that true?

[gavinjconway]

No that is wrong.. It takes about 3 weeks to ferment into the brew and start smelling.. then it never stops smelling..!! i keep adding comfrey and water to my water butt and have a constant supply on the go. End of the season i pour it out over the plot where my spuds will go, wash the tank out and start over in the spring again. 

[Beetroot Queen]

I have some from. Last year that didnt get used. It still stinks is that ok to still use.

[surbie100]

If you make concentrate with the leaves/stems/flowers in a drainpipe, the liquid doesn't smell and it stores well.

In case you want an alternative to stinky stuff...

[gavinjconway]

I have some from. Last year that didnt get used. It still stinks is that ok to still use.

I was told top bin the old stuff BQ so maybe just bin it.

[JohnB47]

I have some from. Last year that didnt get used. It still stinks is that ok to still use.

I was told top bin the old stuff BQ so maybe just bin it.

I transfer mine, created as a strong brew without using water, to a 10 gallon drum to use in future. Every year i use some and add some. I'm thinking that it will store more or less indefinitely. Why would it be necessary to throw it away?