You'll need tons and tons of moss. The they must be deposited in a wetland area and allow to decompose anaerobically.
Google scholar might help.
https://scholar.google.com/schhp?hl=en
If you would like, I can take you through the parameters of "inoculating" an area to create a bog with peat moss and related species that makeup these biome types. I designed vivarium and related habitats at one time for zoos/nature centers etc. I still dabble in Orchidacea terrarium, and small vivarium for reptiles, amphibians and other small animals. This (I am assuming?) is outside and would resemble something we built for spotted and bog turtles.
Do you want this to be an "all natural" peat bog" or something that may use materials like pond liner or related items? Also how big an area, and do you have a naturally wet area already in mind for this?
It would also help (I know you're in PA) if you could harvest some local species to transplant into your system?
Bog plants and creatures are legally protected in many areas. Check with the appropriate authority. Sometimes, things can be gathered from areas that are being developed. It could be a salvage operation.
Jay C , anything you got on inoculating a peat bog, I'd love to hear it.
Just so we are all on the same page, I am 100% Irish, i love the bogs and moors, plus I see land as generational resourse development, and a peat bog can provide heat when trees are no longer, call it worst case insurance. Worst case being British navy cut all your trees for ships, or blight. ( I'm not a end is nigh guy) plus it's a great carbon bank.... So I'm interested in a late succession solid mass bog not a wetland area that has a lot of open water, as my goal.
I'm no scientist, so try to keep it on lay terms, I don't enjoy wordiness, I try to get to a given destination by the simplest route that is effective.
The Irish habit of cutting out their peat and burning it, is something born of desperation. 100 years ago, Ireland had only about 1% tree cover. It's now over 2% and up to 10% depending on the source, but still one of the lowest in the Europe. Ireland's record of forest destruction and then burning of the soil, is not something worth emulating. Haiti is the only other place I can think of that has done such a poor job with their forests. Things have really turned around in the last century. The government has set a goal of 17% forest cover. Hedgerows are also encouraged by various grants.
A standing crop of trees, is a much more efficient way to produce fuel wood. I doubt that much would come of a man-made bog in under 1000 years.
I read you loud and clear Dale on the "legal part" and agree. In this case, I am sure it is an acceptable practice as I use to live in Gettysburg, as long as things like Lady Slipper Orchids and few others aren't harmed (but I think some harvest transplanting is allowed?) I agree, check the regs.
As for a "bog" to produce "cutting peat" for fuel...I think the number is over 15000 years. I know it take a very long time just to start to get something established and of fuel value and that is measure in many millenia.
As for just having "bog" I love them too!!! They are awesome, and have much more than just the peat. Orchids, iris, fern, and all manner of "wee beasty" plus the fringe is great for blueberry, and related species...
To get started...Is the a "wet spot" in the area that this is planned for??
No,no, fellas I don't want to actually cut the peat, it's just something that means a lot to me and a great carbon bank, things would have to be bad for my future people for that to work, but I had to explain what my definition of bog is...many think of a cattail shallow as a bog, some just a swampy place.
Ireland was almost all forest except the windy coasts, Irish oak was a great wood, it made the British naval system what it was, and it still lines the interior of royal buildings all over London. Ireland did not do a bad job at taking care of forests, their Bronze Age took care of some and their greedy niebor finished the job. One was Viking tool manufacture one was British wood greed. Anyway, I know Irish history, quite well, and am an Uilleann piper.
Irish oak by the way....extinct. But I believe it to be a southern live oak carried by the jet stream, and evoloved to suit Ireland's cool wet climate rather than a hot wet one of our southern states. Just a theory.
Ok, so, I want major water holding capacity, more than Swales will provide, but I don't care for ponds, hence the bog, major water in the landscape and carbon being held as well! Win win!
Hi there. Sorry for the zombie post, but I'm in the middle of a Permaculture Design Course and we saw an infographic stating that peat bogs are around 4-6 times better at sequestering carbon than virtually any other land use. We have a wetlands on either side of our land and are wondering if we can convert some of that into peat bog that would help drawdown carbon in a significant way. Can anyone suggest ways to do this? We have some beaver activity creating streams and ponds and such in the area. It's gorgeous here in Western Massachusetts!!!
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They are awesome, and have much more than just the peat. Orchids, iris, fern, and all manner of "wee beasty" plus the fringe is great for blueberry, and related species...
