Table of Contents
Establishing your bog garden Pick a spot. Making an artificial bog is very like making a pond. Dig a hole. Dig a hole about 30 cm (12 in) deep. Lay a butyl liner in the hole. Water the soil thoroughly. Leave the soil to settle for about a week before planting up.
Does a bog garden need drainage?
However, be aware that bog garden plants do need some drainage and air around their roots. They will not thrive where the soil is so wet or compacted that water pools on it and little drainage occurs.
How deep is a bog garden?
Dig a shallow hole 45-50cm deep. Any deeper and you’re getting towards a very a big hole… 45-50cm is enough for most people to dig in the garden and will accommodate the roots of most damp loving perennials (except perhaps Gunnera!) Once lined, pierce with a fork for drainage if using undamaged liner.
What do you line a bog garden with?
Fill with topsoil and humus rich garden compost if it is a moist area . Fill with aquatic compost or a clay/loam mix if it is a wet area . Do not use multi purpose compost for a wet ‘bog garden’ as this contains peat. Cut the liner off at the top of the hole so the area can blend into the rest of the garden.
How do you keep a bog garden wet?
Allow the soil to settle for a week before planting and watering in well. To keep your bog garden well-watered consider lying a soaker hose over the soil surface and disguise it with a layer of mulch. This can then be attached to a hosepipe or irrigation system.
Do bog gardens attract mosquitoes?
Bogs encourage butterflies, amphibians and birds to your garden, but they’re also the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. If your bog sits next to a pond, stock the pond with fish to help reduce mosquito populations.
Does a bog garden need sun?
Ideally, it will be away from overhanging trees and in a spot that gets at least six hours of sun a day. Some bog plants like shade, so if part of the garden will be shaded, that’s fine.
Why do bogs smell?
Two common – and stinky – wetland gasses are sulfur and methane. When the plant dies and begins to decompose, these sulfuric compounds are broken down through a series of steps resulting in the release of hydrogen sulfide gas, among other byproducts.
Are bog gardens good for wildlife?
If you don’t want a pond or don’t have room for one, a bog garden is a great alternative. It’s surprisingly easy to make and will soon become a valuable habitat for a wide range of moisture-loving wildlife, from newts and frogs to damselflies.
What can you grow in a bog?
6 Bog Plants That Are Edible 1) Water chestnuts (Eleocharis dulcis) 2) Cranberries (Vaccinium subgenus oxycoccus and Vaccinium macrocarpon) 3) Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) 4) Bog Labrador Tea (Ledum groenlandicum) 5) Water Mint (Mentha aquatica) 6) Bog Blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum).
How do you make a carnivorous bog container garden?
Mix two parts peat moss, one part sand, and one part sphagnum (or decorator’s) moss in a big bucket or similar container. Add water to the soil mixture until it’s damp, but not muddy. Give it another good stir to make sure that the peat moss is soaking up the water. (This is the fun part.).
How do you plant bog plants?
Planting the Bog Plants Fill the pot loosely with soil, place the appropriate fertilizer tablets into the bottom half of the soil and cover them over. Place the roots near the surface of the soil then add a small amount of soil to pack around them. Gently compress the soil into place to anchor the plant.
How do you maintain a bog?
One of the most important aspects of maintaining a bog is keeping it moist. If your area is naturally wet, you may not ever have an issue with this. If your climate leans more towards dryness, however, you may need to water the bog. A good way to water a bog and keep it saturated is to use a soaker hose.
Is gunnera a bog plant?
Gunnera manicata The huge, thick architectural leaves make a statement at the back of a boggy site.
Do mosquitoes breed in bogs?
Mosquito breeding areas can include ponds, marshes, bogs, puddles, bird baths, pool covers, etc., as well as heavily shaded areas and long grasses. Mosquitoes don’t need a heavily flooded area or even a puddle to lay eggs.
Do cranberry bogs attract mosquitoes?
Rain is the primary cause of the standing water that allows mosquitoes to breed and multiply quickly. While we have many marshlands and cranberry bogs in the area that feed the mosquito population, the standing water in our yards is usually a bigger source for their growth.
How does a bog garden work?
Sphagnum Moss: This is the foundation for any true bog garden. Fill your bog with water and let a layer of living moss float on top. As the mat grows and decays, it will deposit peat into your bog. Over time, the moss will become thick enough to support plants, shrubs and even trees [source: Burrell].
Are hostas bog plants?
Notes: Hostas are popular bog garden plants that are grown mainly for their foliage.
What kind of sand do you use in a bog garden?
In my home bog garden, which is about 30 feet long and of variable width, the upper part of the bog is 18 inches deep and filled with 50:50 sand to peat. Immediately next to it on a gradual slope is an area of pure, 12-inch-deep sand that supports drainage and filtering of water from the upper part of the bog.
