I have several bog areas in my garden. These were easily created by burying large containers (cheapy storage containers from Walmart) in the ground and then keeping the area boggy. This is one of them.
One of my bog areas
Do you punch any drainage holes in it? what type of soil do you use for moisture retention?
Obviously, I like what you did!
Sheila
Id like too know too, Im assuming you just dug a hole big enough for it and then stuck it in the ground and filled it with dirt. If thats what you did then even I could do that. The even have the more shallow containers if I feel like it, that way I wouldnt have to dig down so far.
I would think that up this far north we would have to put in at least one small drain hole so that it wouldnt turn into a block of ice in the winter time, hhmmmmm.
I really like that alot rylaff, thanks for showing us.
I dont put holes in mine. But then the sun can really dry up a hole fast in the summer. Mine are not very deep. I just use the cheapy containers that are not too deep. You know, the kind you put sweaters and xmas ornaments in. I think I got em on sale for about four or five bucks. I used regular dirt and threw in some leaves and pine bark and stuff. Anything to simulate a natural bog. It amazed me how quickly a couple of plants took over the bog area. And they stay so green without any fertilizer. I dug my hole so that the lip was only slightly higher than the ground. This works great for anything that needs boggy areas, even some iris.
Love it, just might have to do this in my back yard by the pond..
thanks for sharing your idea with us.
Wilma
Yes, thank you rylaff, another great idea made easier by plastic, LOL Im gonna have to go get me one of those now so I can try it out.
I started with one. I kept adding them here and there. Works great. I have iris in one. Lizards tails in another. Horsetail reed in another.
What a wonderful idea. I am planning a larger bog area but I could use that idea in several other places !!
rylaff,
Nice shot and results!
We've done the same thing here for a few years now.
Due to freezing though we use large metal bowls now.
The first year our plastic containers cracked.
You could easily use small ponds or liner to create the bogs also.
I have a question. Just how wet is a Bog. Standing water, soup, oatmeal, jello, or thicker. LOL
Mine is slightly under water. Bad or good?
Clay soil or pea gravel?
I personally just dig the hole, put in the container and refill w/ the dirt (amended w/ some compost) I just took out.
Here that means heavy clay soil.
Most bog plants are not heavy feeders.
In fact w/ Cat-tails and many other tall bog plants too much nitrogen causes the plants to grow too rapidly.
This causes weak plants that can't take the wind.
I fill the containers w/ water and try to always see damp soil.
Exactly.
This sounds great for my Taro roots! They grew SO much better IN the pond, but tried to take over! This would keep them wetter, so the leaves will grow larger again! Thanks for the idea!
mel
My Mom had an old green bath tub in her trailer we just replaced. Now it is buried by my pond with plants. Lined the outside with rocks and you cannot see it. Now to look for more free containers. LOL
Works great. I have one bog area that is nothing but taro.