Zen Rock Garden - Creating Your Own Relaxation Spot

Ever felt like your backyard just wasn't quite the relaxing place you wish it was? Or that mowing all of that grass is just a little more than you want to be bothered with? It’s time to change the garden landscape style! If you feel like a change - and are looking for a weekend DIY project that is just a little bit different - then creating your very own Zen rock garden may be just the thing.

A Zen rock garden - known as a karesansui in Japan is a different type of garden in that it actually contains no plant life at all - good news for those who have a less than green thumb! Instead it consists of an assortment large rocks that is placed on top of a bed of gravel or sand. The idea is to then rake the surface in circular and wave shapes that mimic the flow of water to create a sense of calm and wellbeing, promoting peace and relaxation.

Building your own Zen rock garden in the backyard is really not hard at all and in fact if you do not have a grassless surface to create it on (or you really are not up to a lot of digging) you can even chose to create your Zen rock garden in a simple sand pit. Traditionally though the garden is contained within a shallow wooden frame - something that should not be too hard for the average handy person to construct.

Once you have your sand or gravel in place how you place the rocks onto it is up to you - there is no right or wrong way to go about it. Nor does it matter what types of rock you use or how you trace the patterns in your Zen rock garden - this is your unique garden and it is all up to you!

The idea behind a rock garden is that it is a place for meditation and quiet thought and even those who live in a home with no garden can actually create a Zen rock garden of their own. Many urban apartment dwellers create an indoor, miniature version using a simple tray and some play sand. These indoor rock gardens are even finding their way into offices as people realize just how calming time spent with them can be!