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Create a Bog Garden

Turn the waterlogged or boggy areas of your garden into a valuable habitat for wildlife

What:

A bog garden is a habitat mimicking the slow-draining, waterlogged conditions of a natural bog, offering the conditions needed for a range of moisture-loving plants and animals.

Where:

  • A bog garden can be created in an existing soggy area, at the edges of a pond or from scratch.
  • Choose a level spot, preferably one that is damp, and away from overhanging trees.
  • If possible, choose a location near a water source such as a water butt fed from the gutters as bog gardens need watering during long, dry spells.
  • Not in an area already rich in biodiversity such as a species-rich wildflower meadow, mature woodland, marshy wetland or active peatland.

How:

  1. Decide on size. Larger areas will be harder to maintain and stepping stones may be required.
  1. Dig a hole about 30cm deep and line with a flexible liner. Make a few slits in the liner for drainage before returning the soil.
  2. Bog plants like high nutrient levels so if the soil quality is poor, add plenty of organic compost (not peat-based as that is bad for the environment).
  3. Water well, preferably with rainwater, and leave to settle for a few weeks before planting. If only tap water is available, let it stand for a few days before using for the gases to dissipate.
  4. Plant a mix of tall and short native plants to increase the niches for nature, and try to choose some so that there will always be something in flower. Suitable plants include Marsh marigold, Meadowsweet, Bugle, Ragged Robin, Hemp agrimony, Water mint, Water avens, Marsh woundwort, Purple loosestrife. Some research may be required on their suitability to your garden e.g. whether they are sun- or shade-loving, the degree of damp and acidity preferred, and the amount of space they require.

Caring for your Bog garden: Bog gardens may need watering during long, dry spells. Vigorous plants that are taking over at the expense of other slower growing plants may need to be cut back.

Benefits: A bog garden provides a moist habitat that can attract a variety of wildlife, including frogs, dragonflies and damselflies, damp loving insects and other invertebrates, birds and small mammals.