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Co-authored byBen Barkan
Last Updated: June 2, 2023Approved
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
1
Dig 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]
2
Line 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]
3
Line the liner. Shovel over a layer of gravel and pebbles. Make this layer about 8 centimeter (3.1in) high. Cover this with a layer of peat.
4
If 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.
5
Fill the hole. Using decomposed plant matter, peat, fibrous plant material, and soil, fill the bog garden in.[3]
6
Plant with suitable bog plants. Plants that might be ideal for your bog garden include:
- Hostas
- Bog primula (they need shade)
- Irises[4]
- Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris)
- Forget-me-nots[5]
- Polygonum[6]
- Crocosmias[7]
- Monardas (wild bergamot)[8]
- Some ferns.
7
Keep watered using a hose. The moisture content will be retained much longer.
8
Fertilise with a liquid fertiliser. Do this regularly.
9
Weed 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.
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What are some great resources that people can use if they want to learn more about gardening?
Ben Barkan
Garden & Landscape DesignerBen Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, is licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and is a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Ben Barkan
Garden & Landscape Designer
Expert Answer
Just do it and learn by doing, learn by experimenting, and learn by making mistakes. Learn by working with the plants and letting the plants teach you what you're doing right and what you're doing wrong. Pay attention to the plants. Pay attention to if you're watering them too much or too little. It's better to just do it and make mistakes than it is to wait until you feel like you're an expert. I've been doing this over 12 years and I'm still learning every day.
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Can I have a bog garden and a pond?
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Staff AnswerThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
Absolutely, 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.
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See AlsoHow to make a bog gardenQuestion
Can you suggest some suitable plants for a bog garden?
wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff AnswerThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
Various 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.
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Tips
You may need to identify the bog garden using sticks, fencing, or other materials in case it's assumed it's just another soil covered area of the garden.
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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
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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
About this article
Co-authored by:
Ben Barkan
Garden & Landscape Designer
This article was co-authored by Ben Barkan. Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, is licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and is a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. This article has been viewed 88,209 times.
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Co-authors: 11
Updated: June 2, 2023
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