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Simple
and Fast Mini Sphagnum Bog Garden |
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Article from the Ontario Water Garden Society Newsletter |
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ONTARIO
WATER GARDEN SOCIETY |
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Ever since my last visit to Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia, it has always been my desire to build a bog garden near my pond. The sight of thousands Sarracenia Purpurea (Pitcher plants) in bloom along with orchids Arethusa Bulbosa (Swamp Pink) sitting on the carpet of lush green Sphagnum Moss, was etched in my memory. It wasn't until I read several articles in North American Rock Garden Journal written by Fred and Roberta Case, that I had enough confidence to try my hand at it. It took part of the afternoon to complete the project. This is my method: Select the site in full sun adjacent to the pond. Next excavate the hole deep enough to accommodate a large bag of Chunky Peat moss lying on its side, plus 4-5 inches deeper. (This is to allow the peat to swell up as you fill the bag with water.) With the Peat bag in position back fill the soil and pack it down right up against all three sides of the bag. The forth side is against the side of the pond. Now with the bag properly positioned, cut out the plastic on the (top) exposed side of the bag and fill with water. I left it overnight to get fully saturated. The next day, remove enough peat from the corner nearest to the pond to insert empty one-gallon plastic pot on the bottom of the peat bag. Make lots of holes in the sides of the one-gallon pot before you submerge it into the peat bag. Cut a piece of garden hose long enough to reach from the bottom of the one-gallon pot over into the pond. This is going to act as a siphon and maintain the same level of water in the peat bag as it is in the pond. Next activate siphon in the following manner: Submerge the garden hose in the pond so all the air is out of it. With thumbs close both ends of the hose, holding the water inside, place one end in the bottom of the pot and the other in the pond. Once you are sure that the siphon is working properly, return the wet peat back over the submerged plastic pot. Now is the time to plant the bog with your favorite plants. In my Bog garden you will find: Sarracenias, several native orchids like Arethusa Bulbosa, Calopogon tuberosus, Pogonia ophioglossoides, also (Cotton Grass) Eriophorum sp., (Sundews) Drosera sp., (Bladder wort) Pinguicula, just to name a few, top dressed with tips of lush green Sphagnum Moss. This has been the single most enjoyable project in my garden so far. Now, if I could only find a way to keep the raccoons out of it!
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