Zen garden and zen space. What exactly are these? Ideally, a zen space – usually the big or small garden in your backyard or around your home – is an area rich in ecosystem and full of life. It is peaceful, healthy and alive. At the very least, it’s where you can meditate without distraction, and what you create with care that is harmless to yourself and the environment.
If your current backyard needs a refresh to bring it more into the zen mode you’re looking for, don’t be overwhelmed. Remember that the zen concept for your DIY garden embraces the natural elements of the earth. It is also an ideal way to relax in the backyard, incorporate one mind & one body philosophy while creating balance and harmony with nature. Although a zen space can be whatever is aesthetically pleasing to you — whenever we think of zen gardens, we are visualizing bamboo, comfortable seating, pergolas and breezy curtains to add a decorative touch. This does not mean trading in your worn out furniture for high-end, expensive items and accessories from a designer outdoor furnishing store. You can start small and have fun taking your time to add your favorite pots, chairs, lighting and more to your backyard.
DIY Natural Zen Garden
You can create a zen garden in your current yard with as little effort as possible. But first, you need to incorporate elements that support the natural ecosystem to ensure that the air you breathe, the soil that plants require for nourishment are toxic-free. So, keep your yard healthy and peaceful – naturally! Where grass is present, replace any non-native grass with the native version. Use natural mulch for your trees, plants and shrubs. Buy good quality compost that has fully completed composting, or use kitchen compost. Use pots and planters for flowering and delicate plants in your DIY garden.
The total state of focus in a zen garden is on rocks and stones. The concept of one mind & one body is derived from ancient Japan where meditation was a preferred way to relax in the backyard. Simply rake the sand and gravel in a desired spot in your yard away from trees and shrubs. Place rocks of different shapes and sizes on top of the sand or gravel to create a soothing pattern to meditate. Next, add plants spread across the area but keep them to a minimum. Vertical stones erected in the garden represent trees, whereas horizontally placed stones represent water. Stones that have an arch shape represent fire. You can also create bridges and paths through these ‘Zen representations’. All these elements are meant to aid meditation.
Determining Your Budget For a Peaceful Backyard
Ask yourself this: is my main goal to have a peaceful backyard that is also a low maintenance garden? Getting really clear on your budget for your small garden ideas can help you stay motivated. Stick to your budget by clarifying your priorities. What is your lifestyle? If you work full-time and spend only a few hours in the yard during weekends, you may not want to have total state of focus on the yard upkeep, even for a low maintenance garden. On the flip side, if you have lots of money and little time, you may want to hire a local contractor to design the garden on a budget and maintain it regularly as well. The choice is yours.
When you’re ready to transform your yard into a zen space, contact us to get 3 to 4 quotes from your local contractors fast!
