1/ Mark a site in
the desired size
on a relatively
level area that's
suitable for a se-
rene garden. For
example, mark an
10-by-16-foot rectangle in the side
yard that's farthest from sources
of noise. Dig out the rectangle to a
depth of 4 inches.
2/ Check the site with a carpenter's
level and adjust as needed. Use a
tamper to compact the soil.
3/ Line the Zen garden with edg-
ing stones, such as rectangular rocks,
to create an enclosure. Alternatively,
place a two-by-four along each edge,
and hammer the boards to seat
them in the ground.
4/ Mark with the tip of a shovel the
desired spots for the garden's large,
weathered stones and any plants,
benches, statues or lanterns. For the
stones, dig holes at least 6 inches
deep and the diameter of each
stone. Seat the stone at their desired
locations in the Zen garden, creat-
ing a natural landscape that appears
symmetrical yet random.
Plants
for a
Zen Garden
Focus foliage/texture plants: nandina, conifers, bamboo,
Japanese maples, hostas.
Suggested shade-loving bloomers: camellias, azaleas,
rhododendrons.
The
Projects
5/ Dig holes 2 inches deeper than the root balls
of any plants. Center the plants in their respec-
tive holes. Press the removed soil back over the
roots gently. Water the plants immediately. Set
each additional Zen garden feature in place, in-
cluding a meditation bench, Buddha statue and
pagoda lanterns, if desired.
6/ Pour small pebbles or crushed granite into
the site to a depth of 3 to 4 inches. Spread the
material evenly with a hoe around all of the ele-
ments of your Zen garden. Rake ripples into the
crushed granite, if used, to create the character-
istic sandy waves that symbolize the water ele-
ment in traditional Zen dry landscapes. Spread
pebbles with a hoe, if preferred.
