Boggy areas

Boggy areas provide a good habitat for small frogs, toads, beetles and even grass snakes. If you cannot create a pond, then a boggy area is still good for wildlife. You could also create a boggy area at the same time as your pond. Both habitats will together attract more wildlife than each one alone.

Creating a Boggy Area

Excavate a shallow hollow. This should be around 30-45cm deep, either on its own or bordering a pond. Make sure any water cannot run from it into an existing pond.

Ensure the area stays damp but not waterlogged. To retain moisture in a dry area, line the excavated hollow. Pierce this every few feet to allow some drainage and cover it with soil.

Don’t compact the soil. Fill with water and leave the soil to settle, removing any germinating weeds.

Plant with native plants. Choose those that are typically found at the pond edge or in damp meadows, such as marsh marigold, purple loosestrife, ragged robin, snake’s head fritillary and iris. You could also use rushes, reeds and sedges such as pendulous sedge.

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