The hole is solid rock on three sides (there was some jack-hammering involved in the pond dig). I think the exposed rock is very pretty. One area is dirt and I would like to plant some drippy viney thing that would cover it.

I am saving leaves for compost, should I fill the bog liner with dirt and shredded leaves this fall? How about wood ash?

Instead of lining it, I could just drop large containers down there, which would be better?

Thanks for any encouragement I can get!

A bog is a nutrient poor enivironment. The last things you want in a bog are compost, leaves, and dirt. Instead, you want long fiber sphagnum moss and perhap clean sand. Exact blends differ by personal choice.

My 50 gallon bog is composed entirely of long fiber sphagnum moss in a black plastic preformed liner. No peat moss and no sand. I grow Sarracenia (Pitcher plants) and they appear to grow great.

Another common blend is 50 percent peat moss, 50 percent sand, and top dress with long fiber sphagnum moss to make it look pretty. Some build the liner with drain holes. Again - all personal choices.

If you use compost, leaves, and dirt - you create a swamp. If you want to grow swamp plants, that's great. But if you're after true bog plants - keep the nutrients low.

Hope this helps.

Tom