Building a Zen Miniature Garden

Shhh. Do you hear that? It is the sound of complete silence. There are no worries to be had, no anxieties to consider, and no tasks to accomplish. The world is a peaceful place to be.

Most of us do not live our day-to-day lives in a state of calm and quiet. Some days, moments of "Zen" might feel rare indeed! But one thing is for sure—if you want to develop a calm mind and centered life, there are proactive steps you can take. One of my favorite ways to promote peace, quiet, and contemplation in my own life is to spend some time with a Zen garden. These miniature container gardens can even double as "brain breaks" during the workday, as the small containers fit perfectly on a desktop.

In a Zen miniature garden, low-maintenance plants and sensory-friendly miniature accessories combine to create healing spaces where you can take a break and take a breath. Ready to see how you can create your own? Read on.

Containers

While you can build a Zen garden in a classic garden container that you use for other miniature gardens, you may want to acquire a container built specifically for Zen miniature gardens. Because most Zen gardens do not utilize deeply-rooted plants or need much soil, their ideal containers are shallow and wide. Many come in smooth shapes like circles, ovals, and rectangles. Look for shallow bowls, boxes, and plates in minimalist colors and designs. Popular colors include natural cement, white, black, and clear glass.

Landscaping Materials

One particularly calming aspect of a Zen garden is its landscaping materials. While moss and grass-like plants create color in a traditional fairy garden, a Zen miniature garden calls for neutral materials like gravel, pebbles, and sand. Sand and gravel can be touched and shaped. Small rakes and spheres are used to create patterns. As children, we spent hours in the sandbox, shaping and re-shaping the sand. As adults, it is okay to take a moment or two to "play" in the Zen miniature garden. Sometimes a few minutes is all we need to feel relaxed, refreshed, and ready to take on the day.

On top of the garden’s sand or gravel, you may choose to incorporate larger polished stones. These can be grouped together or used to create a border around the garden.

Plants

While a large portion of any Zen garden consists of sand or gravel, you may choose to plant a few bits of "green" in your garden for a fresh look. Think about the level of care you hope to give your new garden. A Bonsai tree looks beautiful, but living varieties do need to be shaped and carefully watered. A desk near a window could be the perfect spot for a group of tiny succulents. Will your Zen garden live at the office? Consider a low-maintenance air plant that needs just a bit of spraying or soaking each week. A healthy plant will add a sense of calm and abundance to your Zen garden. A struggling plant will not!

Miniature Accessories

As you build your Zen miniature garden, you will want to remember that Zen gardens usually have fewer miniature accessories than traditional fairy gardens. In addition to plants, stones, and gravel or sand, you may want to choose just one or two accessories for your garden. Small rakes are popular, as are singular statues of animals or people. You might consider a bridge or a building.

Some of the most popular miniature accessories are geometric. Solid orbs are decorated with patterns like swirls, waves, and vines. When you roll them gently through the sand, they leave a print behind. Do you remember the famous poem, Footprints in the Sand? It starts:

"One night I dreamed a dream.As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,One belonging to me and one to my Lord."

If this is a favorite poem, or if you are giving the Zen garden as a gift, you might consider displaying the poem near your Zen garden and adding the Zen Sand Pattern Orb Footprints to the garden. You can roll the orb through the sand, creating the footprints mentioned in the poem.

No matter what your Zen garden looks like when it is complete, it is sure to be a beautiful place for contemplation, peace, and quiet. Those are all things we could each use more of in our daily lives!