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A small bog garden can allow you to grow a range of interesting plants that enjoy being waterlogged and in the constant presence of water. It can be an ideal solution for the corner of the garden that's always just a bit soggy or a garden that's always in the shade and on the damp side. Here is how to create a bog garden.
Steps
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1Dig out the area for your bog garden. It doesn't have to be large but it should be at least one metre in depth. Also, digging out lawn space is preferable as it's under-utilised space and the turf is handy for lining the bog. Keep the turf that you dig up.[1]
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2Line the bog area. Once you've dug the hole, use black plastic pond liner to line it. Poke a few holes in the liner here and there.[2]Advertisement
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3Line the liner. Shovel over a layer of gravel and pebbles. Make this layer about 8 centimeter (3.1 in) high. Cover this with a layer of peat.
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4If you cut the bog space out of the lawn, place the pieces of turf back into the bog, facing upside down. If you used a different part of the garden, place those pieces back into the bog.
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5Fill the hole. Using decomposed plant matter, peat, fibrous plant material, and soil, fill the bog garden in.[3]
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6
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7Keep watered using a hose. The moisture content will be retained much longer.
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8Fertilise with a liquid fertiliser. Do this regularly.
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9Weed regularly. Like any garden, weeds will grow and they need to be removed on a regular basis. Sedges can become a problem, as can buttercups, which will grow like weeds. Japanese iris will also grow like a weed.
Community Q&A
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QuestionCan I have a bog garden and a pond?wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerAbsolutely, you could do this. One way is to situate the bog garden alongside the pond, to keep all the water features like pumps, liners and plants together for ease of care and maintenance, as well as for sharing water. When building the pond, build the bog garden at the same time and make use of any liner pieces not used in the pond. Allow water from the pond to run into the bog garden but don't let the bog garden affect the pond or it may result in a buildup of too many nutrients. -
QuestionCan you suggest some suitable plants for a bog garden?wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerVarious suitable plants are suggested in the article above, including hostas, monardas and ferns. Other plants that might be suitable include rhubarb, day lily, Japanese flag iris, globe flower, striped grass and some primulas. Try to stick to local plants where possible; drop into your local nursery and ask them for suggestions of suitable plants for your area and climate. -
QuestionWhat can I do about snails eating all the plants in my bog garden?wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerSet snail traps, such as those detailed in the wikiHow How to Get Rid of Garden Snails. If possible, add fish to your bog garden as these will eat the snails. Avoid using chemicals, as these can leach into the bog garden and any associated water, which can kill plants and wildlife.
Things You'll Need
- Wet or damp garden space, shady
- Garden shovel
- Pond liner black plastic
- Something to poke holes with
- Turf area
- Soil, fibrous plant matter, peat
- Bog plants
References
- ↑ www.discoverwildlife.com/how-to/wildlife-gardening/how-to-make-a-bog-garden-for-wildlife
- ↑ www.perrywood.co.uk/gardening-tips/create-a-bog-garden/
- ↑ www.perrywood.co.uk/gardening-tips/create-a-bog-garden/
- ↑ www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=807
- ↑ www.backyardgardener.com/garden-tip-articles/garden-guide/how-to-make-a-bog-garden/
- ↑ www.karensgardentips.com/plant-profiles-how-to-grow/plant-profile-mountain-fleece-polygonum-amplexicaule-aka-persicaria-amplexicaulis/
- ↑ www.gardeningattheedge.wordpress.com/category/bog-garden/
- ↑ www.cottagegardenplantsltd.com/page%2013%20monarda.htm