6 Steps to Create a Zen Garden in Any Size Yard

The absence of grass makes your zen garden low-maintenance and low-stress. Known as xeriscaping, it replaces a portion of your grass with landscaping rocks and drought-tolerant plants. It creates a more uniform and serene look than lush landscaping would. It’s also easier to go outside and relax without worrying about mowing the grass or pulling weeds. It’s less to water and less to think about.

Place weed block fabric right over the grass and cover the fabric with small rocks, pavers, sand or decorative boulders. Use larger scale rocks like retaining wall blocks, edging stones or pavers to create an outline for your garden. Fill in the smaller areas with gravel, river rock or sand to complete the look. 

A necessary feature in a zen garden is having a comfortable spot to sit and relax. Ditch uncomfortable chairs with worn out cushions. The point of a zen garden is to help you relax, and that’s hard to do when you’re sitting on a hard chair. Instead, choose the plushest patio chairs you can find. An outdoor daybed is a great option that gives you enough room to curl up with a good book, or your own thoughts.

If you have a comfortable outdoor chair you love, grab new patio chair cushions for an entirely new look for less. Add a small patio table so you have a spot for your drink and a candle and you’ll be relaxed in no time.

Stick with varieties that are hardy and drought tolerant. Opt for things like aloe, cacti and succulents. They’re nice to look at but won’t require everyday care. Place some of your plants in planters, rather than in the ground. It makes it quick and easy to swap out or rearrange them. Any garden is going to require some upkeep, but keeping it minimal sets you up for maximum relaxation.

The rhythmic sound of flowing water from an outdoor fountain helps you relax and adds another layer of tranquility to your zen garden. If you don’t have an outdoor electrical outlet, consider adding a simple rain chain. It catches rain and directs it down the chain, all while giving you the soothing sound you desire. If you want to enjoy the rain chain, make sure you have a covered place to sit without getting rained on. A bird bath is another great option. You may not get the sound of running water, but watching the visiting birds splash and bathe themselves is just as enjoyable.

Lights are a must if you plan to hang out in your zen garden at night. Scatter lanterns around the garden with solar or flameless candles inside. You won’t have to worry about dripping wax or blowing out the candles before bed. The lights reflecting off your planters, décor and stone pathways create shadows and dimension. Other things like string lights and solar path lights transform  your peaceful daytime zen garden into a magical oasis come sundown.