Wetlands gardens: what to plant?

[AreaCode707]

I've got 8 acres of Washington state class 2 wetlands with a few acres of solid ground around the edges. Meaning:
- Dryish in the summer with a few small streams running through it (we think; we just moved in)
- Covered in tall thick grass
- Up to 3 feet of standing water in winter under the grass

We'll be planting veggie and herb gardens on our solid ground areas. I'd like to use a bit of our "bog" too if I can, and the more edible plants the better. Cranberries came immediately to mind - anyone have any experience there? I also heard that young cattails are edible and I think they'd grow well.

What are other good wetlands plants that would be attractive and/or edible that might grow in our area? Tips for loving care of wetlands gardens?

[edit] If this belongs in water gardens please feel free to move. It seemed like that forum had more small pond gardening info and this is neither a pond nor small.

[MysticGardener67]

when it comes to mispostings. Wetlands gardens are a bit of a borderline watergardenening / landscaping/ planting with natives category

What you need to be looking for are plants that can take mosit to wet soil conditions and full to part sun.
I found this wonderful website concerning native wetlands plants for your area

[url]https://green.kingcounty.gov/gonative/Index.aspx[/url]

Huckleberries come to mind.. nice shrub great fruit, good for wildlife.

Ummm... you may find this link most helpful.. I use it ALOT
It is for the Missouri Boptanical Gardens searchable plant database. Most comprehensive I have yet to run across. Just select your conditions and off you go!

[url]https://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Search.asp[/url]


here is another AWSOME wetlands plant database courtusy of the USDA
[url]https://plants.usda.gov/wetland.html[/url]

It does have a few terms even I was not aware of. Obligate , Facilitative and Upland. Obligate plants are almost ALWAYS (99%) found in wetlands, Facilitative are often but not always found in wetlands and upland plants are located in the dry areas associates with wetlands.

Cattails seem a good idea, Try them if you wish. Bear in mind that when they are happy, they become agressive and may evenetually choke out your wetlands.

You may have good luck , and it is often reccomended, that you check out your local agricultural extension agency. I took the time to search the Washington state extension for you:

[url]https://ext.wsu.edu/[/url]

I didn't see much about wetlands, but they can point you to the right direction.

With such a wondeful natural resource on your land, I would be rather nervous about any gardening technique other than organic.. You will have to be VERY mindful of nutrient runoff and herb,pest,insect -icide overspray.


Come on GardenHelpers, more advice??

[MysticGardener67]

I misunderstood your location. So the link I previously posted for county extension was incorrect
Here is the link to the Mendecino County Extension office

[url]https://cemendocino.ucdavis.edu/[/url]

These things happen, ya know.

[AreaCode707]

I misunderstood your location. So the link I previously posted for county extension was incorrect
Here is the link to the Mendecino County Extension office

[url]https://cemendocino.ucdavis.edu/[/url]

These things happen, ya know.

Actually, your original location guess was right. Our wetlands our in our Seattle spot. I only WISH the Mendo property had some wetlands! Hitting water when you drill is the big concern there.

Thanks for the database links! I love me some organized info. Huckleberries is a great idea! Most of the wetlands will stay exactly as is so that we don't interfere with the salmon; I'm planning only to ever put in plants on the edge nearest our house.

[applestar]

I like the Plants For A Future database even though you sometimes have to account for our own local native status: https://www.pfaf.org/leaflets/habitats.php

You could also look for edible wild harvest webpages in the Pacific Northwest area.

Check out what Paul Stamets describes here: [url=https://www.fungi.com/mycotech/permaculture.html]Permaculture with a Mycological Twist[/url]

Prior to installing these mushroom beds, fecal coliform bacteria seriously threatened the water quality. Once the mycelium fully permeated the sawdust/chip beds, downstream fecal bacteria was largely eliminated. The mycelium in effect became a micro-filtration membrane.... For nearly 8 years, I have continued to install King Stropharia beds in depressions leading into sensitive watersheds.

[AreaCode707]

Ooh, my husband would like the mycologial twist! He has an ambition to go mushroom hunting in the spring and next fall; I have an ambition to keep him firmly attached to a mycological society for authentication of his finds, no matter how certain he is that they are mushroom x or y.

[Sage Hermit]

https://richrdsramblings.blogspot.com/2008/08/compositejpg-by-susunomi-on-flickr.html
[img]https://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa267/adaba/afff.jpg[/img]
Cattail's support one of my favorite birds the red winged black bird.

[rainbowgardener]

Doesn't look like anyone gave you this link:

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/

It's the Native Plants Database from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center at UTexas. But you can put in State = Washington, Lifespan = perennial, and soil type = Wet - soil is saturated with water and it will pop up a nice list of native wetland plants for your area. If you want you can narrow the search by also telling it what the sun exposure for your area is and if you are looking for plants, shrubs, trees, etc....