C wrote:
=

On Mon, 19 Jan 2004 17:11:44 -0600, FrankS wrote:
=

I'm thinking of creating a bog garden this year but haven't been able=
to
find much info on how to do it. Basically, I'm thinking of digging a=

shallow depression about 10 ft in diameter and 10 to 12 inches deep a=
nd
refilling with about 6 inches of topsoil. I have a natural slope to =
my
yard so keeping it wet shouldn't be a major problem for me. I would =
like
to create as much a natural environment as possible with cattail,
bulrushes, horsetails and any other bog type plant I can find. I hav=
e
about 4 to 6 inches of topsoil over a thick bed of clay. I live in =
the
extreme north of zone 4 so winters are long and brutal while the summ=
ers
can be hot as hell. I want this to be a low maintenance area and I'm=
not
interested in attracting any wildlife although, if it works, I imagin=
e
frogs and garter snakes may show up.

Does anyone have any experience or info to share with me?

thanks frank
=

I would recommend finding a good book on bog gardening. For some reaso=
n,
straight topsoil doesn't seem too bog-like. You may wish to incorporat=
e
some peat. Peat comes from bogs.
=

I would stay away from horsetail (equisetum) since it is very invasive =
and
may take over the entire area. A 10' diameter "bog" is not that much
space.
It's not that bad.

-- =

Celestial Habitats by J. Kolenovsky
2003 Honorable Mention Award, Keep Houston Beautiful
=F4=BF=F4 - http://www.celestialhabitats.com - business
=F4=BF=F4 - http://www.hal-pc.org/~garden/personal.html - personal