Creating a winter-hardy peat bucket
A peat pot is not only a practical element for the garden, but also a true masterpiece of nature. The design of such a pot makes it possible to create a unique and fascinating plant world that inspires with its beauty and sophistication. The combination of the acidic, nutrient-poor substrate and the specially matched plants creates a harmonious and varied picture that captivates the eye.
A bog pot can be used to create a special atmosphere in which both exotic carnivorous plants and native bog plants can thrive. These pots not only provide an ideal environment for many fascinating plant species, but also a highlight in your garden or on your balcony, enriching every garden image with their liveliness and diversity.
Let yourself be enchanted by the sophistication of the peat buckets and experience how this unique design option transforms your green space into a little paradise.
This text highlights the beauty and specialness of bog tubs and can be used as an appealing introduction on your website.
Tip: On our plant list you will also find a variety of hardy carnivores that are perfect for year-round use in the garden or on the balcony. These robust plants can easily survive cool winter temperatures and offer you a fascinating natural spectacle even in the cold season. Take a look at our selection to find the ideal companion for your garden!
Image source: www.Green-Jaws.de
quick guide
This is what you need for a peat bucket:
A beautiful vessel or bucket
The right substrate (unfertilized white peat)
Old pots for water storage
The right plants
Optional: A pouring pipe made of PVC
Optional: roots or other decorative elements
In the following, we will go through the process of creating a peat bucket step by step and you will receive important tips for your very own personal moor landscape at home.
Choosing the right vessel
Basically, the container you want to use has to be absolutely airtight because a water reservoir is placed in the lower part of the container (about 2/3 of the total height). This means that the plants are always nice and wet, just like in the natural moorland habitat, and you don't have to water them as often in summer. Also make sure that the container is as high as possible so that there is enough space for a water reservoir and the actual planting area. The planting area should be at least 10 cm high.
Tip: Use a bucket or another container that you really like. The black mortar tubs from the hardware store are great if you want to sink the peat bucket into the ground.
The water reservoir
Once you have found the right container, it's time to add the water reservoir. The water reservoir should have as large a volume as possible. Note: A water reservoir has nothing to do with a drainage layer. It is important that we create an internal cavity for a large volume of water, as sand, expanded clay or gravel would have the opposite effect. If you want to water your peat bucket using a filling pipe, we recommend that you insert the filling pipe directly into the water reservoir to the bottom of the container.
Tip: To store as much water as possible, it is often better to use a few very large pots rather than many small ones due to the volume.
The right soil
Choosing the right substrate is very important. The best substrate for growing plants is unfertilized white peat (e.g. from Landi), as is available in our online shop. Make sure that the peat has a degree of decomposition (indicated in H levels) of H2-H5. Anything above H5 would be too decomposed and would be more like black peat. The pH value should also be acidic (below pH 6). When mixing the soil, the peat must be well moistened and mixed thoroughly, ideally with your hands, so that the peat can absorb the water. If the peat is too dry, it will only absorb water very slowly when watered. In the worst case scenario, this could cause the plants added later to dry out. Fill your container up to the brim (about 1-2 cm below the rim) so that excess water can drain away and your peat bucket is not flooded.
Tip: The amount of peat needed for a container is often underestimated. The manufacturer's information on the peat bags does not correspond to the volume of the container. Since the peat shrinks when wet, you should always have a little more peat on hand. White peat is available from Landi.
How to choose the right plants
First of all, it should be said that the bog bucket can be designed however you like. There are countless genera and species that can be individually combined. We generally recommend adding companion plants, i.e. non-carnivorous plants, to your bog bucket, as this simply creates a more natural look and most companion plants produce amazing flowers or berries.
This step often raises the question of how many plants are actually needed for each container. The easiest way to start is to determine the number of pitcher plants (Sarracenia) per container size. Pitcher plants need a planting distance of around 10 cm, although most other carnivores can easily be planted close together. We therefore recommend the following number:
You can now determine the number of additional plants of other genera as you wish. The bog sets can serve as a guide if necessary.
planting the container
Now it's time for the most enjoyable part of creating a peat pot - designing and planting. We plant the peat pot so that the height of the plants increases gradually from small to large. This gives us a nice visual impression, as all the plants are always in a good position, and it also means that the pot can be better aligned with the sun later on, meaning all the plants get more sunlight. We start by planting the large pitcher plants at the back of the pot and then work our way forward. Small plants that do not have strong root growth (e.g. sundew and butterwort) can be planted anywhere in the pot. They then multiply throughout the peat pot over the next few years by division or seed.
Tip: Don't fill your container too full at the beginning, as the plants need to grow in first. Many plants, such as pitcher plants or companion plants, will spread quickly or form large clumps. In addition, additional plants can be added at any time.
This is what you need to consider when caring for your dog
Caring for a peat pot is actually child's play. There are three general rules when it comes to growing carnivorous plants:
Always keep moist (water reservoir filled)
Only water with rainwater or similar lime-free or low-lime water such as osmosis water or distilled water
As much sun as possible (preferably west or south side)
If you run out of rainwater and you have no other low-lime water available, just use normal tap water before the plants dry out. The peat has a certain buffering effect, so it doesn't matter if you water with tap water a few times a year.
In addition, pruning or removing unwanted plants is necessary twice a year. But that's it! Growing carnivorous plants outdoors couldn't be simpler and easier to care for.
Tip: Only prune the plants in spring, just before new growth begins. This way, the dead leaves will serve as additional winter protection.
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