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Having a Zen garden does wonders for helping you relax and enjoy a constructive activity. The building of the garden can be just as peaceful as maintaining it, whether it fills your entire back yard, or just your desk space at home. Large gardens can be the size of an acre, whereas a miniature garden can be no larger than a small notebook.

The size of the garden

The first thing you need to decide on is the size of your Zen garden, which can be done by analysing the space you’re going to use. If you have a backyard with no actual design, it could be a good idea to transform it into a magical, Japanese-style garden. If you are simply looking to harmonise your working space and add some tranquillity, then a miniature garden is just for you.

Once this is decided, a mould needs to be created to hold the sand needed. A Zen garden is mostly sand, with a few ornaments intricately and strategically placed in the middle, so be prepared to purchase a lot of sand.

If a large garden is what you are aiming for, then pieces of wood of varying size will work perfectly; otherwise simply gather small pieces of wood to create a container for the sand.

Decoration

Attach the wood together to make the form needed for the garden. Next, you will need a weed container, such as plastic, to keep the garden looking neat, tidy and weed-free. Fill this form to the top with sand or gravel, spreading it as evenly as you can, maintaining a good level. If your garden is a miniature, sand can be bought at any local pet shop.

Next, find interesting and stimulating ornaments to place evenly around the garden. Look for small statues, wooden structures, rocks with interesting colours, or even mossy logs. A small water feature is also a popular choice, as water features are known for their calming, soothing effects.

Calming effects

Lastly, acquire a rake to create interesting patterns in your garden. Naturally, the size of the rake will depend on the size of the garden. The raking of the garden is a calming, soothing process, working wonders to clear your mind and relieve stress when times get tough. When you are finished raking, sit back and admire your garden.

Tags: gardening