Ring of Death

Many plants will multiply and spread out quickly, requiring some control to keep them within bounds. In this example, I've cleaned up the new growth of Comfrey (Symphytum officinale). While it doesn't look too bad, I know that this plant eventually will flop all over its neighbors and will need to be cut back. I simply place an empty plant pot over the parts I plan to keep, dig my spade all around the edge of the pot, then dig up anything outside the "ring of death." Using that same pot, I put the extras inside to be transplanted elsewhere, or to be potted up for give-aways.