Have you been fascinated by Asian garden art? Then design your own personal Zen garden on your own. These instructions explain step by step how to make an authentic Japanese rock garden yourself.

A Zen garden is harmonious and calming

Creating a plan - that is what characterizes a Zen garden

The Zen garden is considered a special form of the Japanese garden. The design plan consistently dispenses with colorful flowers and water. Therefore, create a plan sketch that is limited to the following elements:

  • Bright gravel beds and isolated stones/boulders in an odd number
  • Sandy areas simulating bodies of water
  • Moss as the only green plants allowed
  • Trees, exclusively in the form of bonsai

Using a scale plan, you can determine the required amount of gravel and sand. It is up to your personal creativity in which relationship you design the sub-areas to one another. By integrating hills planted with moss into the planning, you skilfully loosen up the appearance without leaving the concept.

Create gravel and sand areas with authentic planting - this is how it works

Mark out the areas precisely according to your plan sketch. Where there are gravel and sandy areas, dig up the soil 20 to 25 cm deep. Lay out the pits with weed foil. Fill in gravel and sand so high that you can rake the surface later without damaging the film. As a rule, only the gravel beds are planted with one to three bonsai trees. How to do it right:

  • Initially set up each bonsai at the intended location with wide planting distances
  • Step back several steps and let the placement sink in
  • At the final location, clear the gravel and cut open the foil in a cross shape
  • Plant the potted root ball, water it and close the pit again with gravel

Finally, place boulders in the Zen garden without creating a geometric pattern. Round off the design adequately with Asian accessories such as stone lanterns or Buddha sculptures. Then use the rake to create lines in the gravel and sand that symbolize the flow of water. It is important to note an even, curved line that shows no beginning and no end.

Make green hills yourself in proper style - this is how it works with moss

If your Zen garden extends over half-shady to shady locations, moss-covered hills are tastefully staged here in line with the concept. For this purpose, pour in moor bed or rhododendron soil to the desired height. In the nearby forest you collect fresh pieces of moss, put them in the ground and then sprinkle the area with a fine spray. A dense carpet of moss forms within a short time.

tips

The ingenious concept of the zen garden is the ideal option to make a small front yard at the terraced house unique. The do-it-yourself instructions described here can be applied to any area size. By assembling the various components individually, you stand out impressively from the uniform appearance of a row house settlement.

Category:

Garden design