re: outside bogs
BREWER_CHARLES@ecomail.damneck.navy.mil
Wed, 11 Sep 1996 11:20:26 -0400
In regards to building a outdoor bogs. I have just completed building
one using cedar wood and salt treated wood. I used 1 inch x 8 inches x
8 feet long cedar boards. The overall size turned out to be 8 feet
long, 2-1/2 feet wide and 18 inches deep. The main bog box is
supported on all corners, top and bottom rims with 3 inch supporting
strips similar looking to a crate. I then covered the whole outside
cedar box with salt treated wood allowing a 1 inch air gap between the
cedar wood and salt treated wood. This will act as an insulator
keeping the cedar box from freezing in the winter and for removing
excess moisture to escape between the two boxes.
The main cedar box has a 1/4 inch drain hole drilled in the bottom
which is also applied to the salt treated wood. These drain hole are
covered with copper mash allowing only water to be released vice soil.
I also have installed a 1-1/4 inch PVC pipe that extends from the top
of the bog box to the bottom. This pipe has several small holes
drilled in it which extends below the soil line. The main purpose for
these holes is to monitor the water level within the box. The cedar
box is not consider water proof therefore, allowing water to seep
naturally through it. This is similar to the CPs natural habitat.
I plan to dig a hole in the ground which the box will be placed into.
The hole will have a layer of sand or pebbles on the bottom (which
ever is cheaper) allowing water to drain away from the bottom of the
outer box.
The box will be sitting about 3/4 of the way down in the ground. This
should help control some of the crawling critters. The spacing between
the cedar box and outer salt treated box will be used to allow
moisture to escape and be used to slide vertical post into. These post
will allow me to attach a small fence around the bog(if needed) or
used as a support for plastic covering during winter months.
Of course the bog will be filled with a mixture of peat and sand and
allow to sit for several months prior to planting the CPs. I feel
seasoned soil works better then newly mixed soil.
Hope this helps somewhat or makes for good reading.
Charles
Virginia Beach, Va.
USA