DIY Saturday #39 – How to Create a Zen Garden – (Video)

Entry # 438, March 5, 2011

Happy DIY Saturday! This last week has been a great kick off to the ‘ Home Renewal’ theme kickoff for Stagetecture this March. Landscaping and your home’s outdoor environment was a huge focus this week. I thought today would be a great Saturday to feature how to create a Zen Garden. While there are many varieties, many Zen gardens are characterized by minimal plantings, sand, rocks, and areas to meditate and reflect.

How to Create a Zen Garden

Today I show you some simple DIY steps to create your own Zen Garden in a You Tube Video. I also will show you another video that is good inspiration for creating your own, or for giving you ideas to hire a landscaper to help you recreate Japanese and Zen garden qualities.

How to Create a Zen Garden (Graphic Step-by-Step)

Japanese Garden Before & After Inspiration

How to Create a Zen Garden from eHow.com

Step 1:

Decide on the size for your dry landscape Zen garden. The size depends on the amount of yard you want to dedicate to the Zen garden and how much time you can spend maintaining it.

Step 2:

Create the form to contain the sand and other Zen garden materials. For a large garden use lumber or railroad ties and nail or screw the wood securely together to make the form.

Step 3:

Lay a weed barrier down inside the form. This can be black plastic, thick newspapers or weed barrier cloth. Keeping weeds out is a must.

Step 4:

Fill the form to the top with sand or gravel and spread it as level and evenly as possible with the rake.

Zen Garden, MIT, Children’s Garden

Step 5:

Add other desired embellishments like polished pebbles, interesting rocks and boulders, statues and other visually stimulating items of unusual textures, colors and shapes.

Step 6:

Submerge the items partially into the sand or gravel and keep them off-center for the best effect. Don’t clutter the area. A Zen garden should be peaceful and simple.

Step 7:

Place solar lights or other lighting to enhance nighttime enjoyment of the Zen garden. Light and shadows add particular interest.

Step 8:

Rake the Zen garden sand or gravel in long, curving designs to represent rippling water. Use a variety of patterns to accentuate the garden and change them often to create new effects.

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.