The first question you probably have is . . .

What is a bog???

A bog is simply an area that has a wet, spongy and acidic substrate composed mainly of sphagnum moss and peat. Bogs lack the circulation necessary to supply nutrients and the only source of fresh water is rain. Therefor bogs are virtually nutrient free. In nature these are usually vast areas but they are easy to make on a small scale.

Mini - Bogs

A mini-bog really isn't anything other than a large drainless pot. The soil is the same carnivorous soil we always use and the "pot" can be just about any size or shape, whatever container you want to use.

You want the container you choose to be at least 16" deep and large enough to comfortably hold all the plants you are going to put in it. Line the bottom of the container with a 4-1 ratio of perlite/horticultural charcoal. This layer should be an inch deep or so. Use your regular soil mix to finish filling the container, I use 50/50 perlite/sphagnum peat moss & top with a one inch layer of long fiber sphagnum. Keep the soil wet using distilled or RO water as always. Mini-bogs moisture levels must be maintained, they are not big enough to stay wet from the rains. They also flood easily, so drain holes may be in order along the sides. Cover them with a screen or the media will wash out.

I generally run a hose across the bottom and up one side so I can still bottom water. This keeps me from messing up the soil by pouring water on top or washing seeds away. It also allows me to check and maintain the water level. See full bogs below.

Bogs

Full bogs are for the serious. It takes hard work and a fair amount of money to create one. Full bogs are basically like mini-bogs except they are much larger. Bogs can be made above ground or built into the ground.

For an above ground you need some kind of container. A kids wading pool would work if you get the deeper ones. Various ponds from Lawn and Garden Centers work great and give it some shape. Here again just about anything deep enough that will hold water will work. You can use landscaping blocks, decking or siding to give it a finished look. I went with decking for this one because I already had it laying around. The pond liner came from Lowe's.

The first thing I do is get a piece of 1/2" flexible tubing long enough to run diagnol across the bottom and up one side. This will be the watering tube and provide a means to check water level. I use 100% pure clear silicone caulking to plug the soil end. Next drill some 1/8" holes 4" - 6" apart down the sides of the tubing that will be laying on the bottom. Run the drill in and out a few times to make sure the holes don't seal back up. I use lava rock to hold the tube in place on the bottom while I work on filling the bog with media.

Once the tube is secure start adding the medium. Make sure you use acceptable water through all phases. This can mean a LOT of water depending on the size of your bog. I mix mine in 5 gallon buckets so I know it has absorbed enough water.

For my bogs I use Canadian Sphagnum Moss, crushed Lava Rock, Perlite, charcoal and top dress with a light layer of Long Fiber Sphagnum Moss. Make sure you rinse the Lava Rock well, in acceptable water. The lava rock and the perlite should equal roughly one half of the mix, charcoal 1/8 or less. Get the Sphagnum Peat Moss by the bail. If you add Long Fiber Sphagnum moss to the mix your plants will love you for it but it can become pricey. I wouldn't add more than 25% LFSM.

As you fill the bog work the tube up the side. Once done you can use this to monitor and adjust the water level. Get some fish tank air hose and a couple of air tubing clamps. Cut a piece of air hose long enough to go from the bottom of a gallon jug up, out and down to the bottom of your bog. Put a tubing clamp on the air hose. You need a tubing clamp used for turning hoses "on and off" not a hose clamp like what goes on a car radiator hose. With the clamp it is very easy to start the syphon.

Click for bigger pic

I really like having the watering tube. I just syphon a gallon or two into it a day in the summer time. I can run the hose down in it and clamp the air hose shut. When I lift it out it will show the water level, extremely handy. Plus I like doing the majority of the watering from the bottom, much easier on the soil and less compacting.

In - Ground Bog

Basically you dig a hole and line it with plastic and this becomes your container. Click the link below to go to an excellent bog building website.

This external website has
excellent instructions for bog building.
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