Re: Bog Garden?

Well, Bob, my plan of action is to clear this spot where the underground
drain from our downspouts comes out at the edge of the woods; excavate
about a foot or so and line it with plastic.  Put in a layer of odd stones
and gravel to help distribute the water; cover that lot with geotextile so
it doesn't silt up and replace the clay with only a bit of added organic
material, so the soil stays heavy.  If rain doesn't happen, I can run a
hose down one of the drain pipe shoes to add water so that the whole
shebang stays constantly moist/wet from below.  I have a very small
circular bed around a birdbath that I did something similar to years ago -
with a plastic pipe to water from below, but no plastic.  It seems to work
well for one happy Royal fern, the only happy Astilbe I have and some happy
Rodgersia, amongst other guys....sooo, in theory....

My garden tends to be really dry because of the intense competition from
huge tree's roots - not to mention all the other guys planted in it.  I've
found that candelabra primroses, amongst others, just are not happy in my
borders.  Ligularia is another; Astilbes are others.  I figure if I can get
some spot I can keep moist and keep out the tree roots, they just might
flourish without daily watering (which doesn't really seem to work anyway).

I also have dreamy visions of a Gunnera.....some Lobelia cardinalis...move
some of the Ostrich ferns as well as one of my Royal ferns who isn't too
pleased with life - oh, there are a *lot* of plants on my wish list for a
nice moist spot.

It won't be a true "bog", really, but should, she says hopefully, do the
trick - I have read of doing this to provide a place for pond marginals
where you don't have a natural pond.  We shall see.  I am starting the
clearing tomorrow!! (er, rather, later today)

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
current article:  Planting Under Trees - Part 6; Special Pets
http://www.suite101.com/frontpage/frontpage.cfm?topicID=222
Gardening Topic Index for Suite101:
http://www.suite101.com/userfiles/79/gardening.html


----------
> From: Barb Pernacciaro <bpern@idcnet.com>
> Date: Saturday, August 08, 1998 3:13 PM
> 
> Marge wrote:
> > Maybe when I get my bog
> > garden dug
> How are you going to dig a bog garden, Marge?  I did see someone make
> one on the Home and Garden channel (new to this area, so I've been glued
> to it during the last several days of rain). He dug a long pit, lined
> the bottom with plastic bags and filled it in again with the soil. He
> said the plastic would retain enough moisture to provide for
> moisture-loving plants. Has anybody tried this? Is this a feasible idea?
> -- 
> Barb Perna
> Southcental WI,  Zone 4
> 
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
> message text UNSUBSCRIBE PERENNIALS

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PERENNIALS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index