What is a Bog Garden?
Often located on the banks of lakes and ponds in glacial depressions, a bog is created by the accumulation of organic debris. The slow moving waters in these sensitive areas are unable to remove the dead plant matter. This organic material sinks to the bottom of the water and forms a black, spongy soil called peat moss. The peat moss establishes a foundation for the growth of a sensitive and remarkable habitat. Animals typically found in a bog include: frogs, newts, hummingbirds, butterflies, dragonflies, white-tailed deer, otters, water shrews, bog turtles, ducks, and minks. The natural bog also plays a tremendous role in storm water management. The absorbent soil helps to retain and slow excess rain water on its trip to rivers and streams. Rain water is filtered and purified helping to reduce the flooding and pollution problems caused by storm water runoff. Bog gardens can be created in educational landscapes, providing homes for rare and intriguing plants and wildlife. During the fi
