how to plant pitchers in your yard

A bog garden is one of the best ways to enjoy North American pitcher plant, sundew and venus flytrap.  All you need is a very sunny spot, a liner and some peat moss.   During dormancy or in early spring is the best time to transplant.

First step is to find your location.  Choose a spot that is very sunny all year.  You can use part of a flower bed that’s already part of your yard.   If it regularly gets near zero degree Fahrenheit where you live then choose a location that is protected from wind.

Next, find a liner.  It can be a plastic storage bin, heavy piece of plastic or kiddie pool.  Dig a hole 10 inches deep and place your liner in.  Then fill your liner with wet peat moss or a wet peat moss and sand mixture.  Plant your plants.

Because your new bog garden holds lots of water, maintenance is easy.  As long as it rains every few weeks you don’t have to do anything.  Water every few weeks in the summer if there is a drought.  Remember, no fertilizer!  The plants catch their own.

Winter care for a bog garden:   If the weather forecast is calling for sub zero temperatures (in the negatives), then put six inches of pine needles on your bog garden.  A layer of pine needles is a good idea anyway; it holds in the moisture during the summer!