New Bog

Last week a new bog area was added to the main pond.  The first bog area was dug by hand, created so that there would be a shallow, flat habitat for wading birds and tadpoles.

This is called adding edge, which is an important component of any permaculture design.  The first bog is connected to the series of rain catchment basins and now is the link between rain overflow system and the large pond.  This year no rainwater left the property; it was all captured.  Edge areas in both water and plant design provide more sun and growth areas than a round or straight design.  More interesting things happen on the edge.

This bog area was dug up by a tractor bought from a farm auction that I’d shared rental with a friend.  It took a large mound of dirt and filled in some dips, leveling a walking and working area.

Steve, who among his many talents is also a heavy equipment operator, did a terrific job grading and then expanding the pond.  A small problem is that he found some more porous soil with the clay, so the water level on the pond dropped.

We’re seeing how far it goes down to tell if the seepage is occurring on the edge or on the bottom of the new area.  Once found, we’ll move extra clay over and tamp it all in.

Plants Jacob has put into the first bog include graceful cattails, which are a dwarf cattail that isn’t so invasive, iris, rushes, watercress, and some Mexican waterlily.

Very soon the plants will cover the bog areas providing excellent cover for many animal species which… wait for it… live on the edge.