When the pace of life feels crazy and hectic, or you feel overwhelmed by errands, deadlines, and other pressures, having a calm and soothing outdoor space to relax and unwind can be an excellent way to help maintain good mental health. A unique landscaping feature, rock gardens or Zen gardens, has been gaining popularity recently.
A Zen garden or rock garden emphasizes the beauty and simplicity of natural products, arranged in such a way as to allow for serenity and meditation. Due to the austere nature of this type of landscaping feature, less regular maintenance is required than in a regular garden or flowerbed. If you are looking for a unique and low-maintenance way to add interest, visual appeal, and serenity to your outdoor space, a rock or Zen garden might be the perfect project for you!
Forming a base is the first step in creating a Zen or rock garden. After removing 3-6” of soil from the desired area, we strongly recommend laying down a geotextile cloth or landscaping fabric. This physical barrier prevents weeds from growing up through the stones and also keeps the stones neatly contained rather than allowing them to mix with the soil over time. Greely Sand & Gravel’s PRO SILVER PLUS geotextile is our most popular product for this purpose due to its neutral colour and long-lasting durability. At this step, you may also want to consider adding some landscape edging to keep the stones from drifting into your lawn.
Once you have prepared your space, fill it with a solid base layer of small stones. Greely Sand & Gravel has several excellent options for this, including:
Any of the products above would work well as the canvas to build your unique rock garden. When selecting one, think about the colour scheme and visual aesthetic you want to achieve. Consider the stability the different stones provide if you plan to walk on them often or place furniture in the space. Decomposed Granite and ⅜” - ⅝” Riverwash Stone are excellent choices for stability under foot or furniture.
Now, it's time for the exciting part - choosing the stones and boulders that will be the heart of your garden. This is where your creativity and personal style can truly shine. Pick a variety of boulders and stones in different sizes and envision how you’d like to arrange them. To handpick your stones, we invite you to our head office at 1971 Old Prescott Road. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will guide you and let you see and select your stones. For smaller boulders, our Ornamental Pond Stone collection is worth considering.
We have large, decorative boulders in stock in a variety of shapes, sizes, colours, and cuts. Our team will assist you in the selection process and then organize the delivery and placement of your stone(s) at a time that works for you.
Whatever size, shape, or style of rock garden or Zen garden you are looking to create, Greely Sand & Gravel has exactly the products you will need! With endless combinations of stones possible, creating a unique, serene, and peaceful space for relaxation, meditation, and play is easy, quick, and enjoyable.
To see our brilliant array of stones and decorative boulders, come visit us today at our main landscape depot in Greely. Our team is looking forward to working with you to make your vision a reality!