With the green trend gaining momentum worldwide, it’s no wonder that many homeowners are deciding to rethink their garden designs and consider all the ways they can make them eco-friendlier.

 

Additionally, with such hectic lifestyles, a lot of people are turning their focus towards creating a Zen garden right in their backyards, where they can have some much-needed peace and quiet after a long day at work.

 

Check some of these ideas for turning your own backyard into a peaceful low-water oasis.

 

Consider the ground cover

When talking about gardens that require very little water to thrive, you need to understand that opting for any type of living ground cover is not the best way to go. No matter the type of living ground cover you might be considering – grass, moss or any other type of foliage – it will still require regular irrigation and maintenance. To this end, consider covering your backyard with pavers or decorative gravel and only planting the foliage between the gaps. This way, you’ll create an illusion of having a green backyard without having to waste considerable amounts of water in order to keep it looking fresh and lively.

 

 

Introduce garden containers

Next, once you have covered your backyard with pavers and gravel, you can use garden containers to give it definition. You can use the containers to section off your yard into various areas and create additional visual interest.

 

Next, consider planting en masse to amplify the graphic effect. Grouping the same type of plants of varying sizes in a single container will create a stunning layered look. When it comes to plants, think in terms of succulents and other low-maintenance and drought-resistant alternatives to lower your garden’s water requirements. However, make sure that the containers fit in with the design completely for a beautiful, coherent look – think in terms of stone, concrete, brick or wood, or decide to contrast them completely by choosing something in the lines of aluminium or wrought iron.

 

 

Add layers to your layout

Another interesting idea comes in the form of creating various layers in your garden design. By making certain parts of your garden lower (or higher) than others you will add more definition to the space.

 

Additionally, the lower areas of your garden will receive more water during rain than the higher ones, so those areas might be the perfect place for small flowerbeds if you still wish to create some.

 

If you do decide to layer your garden, however, make sure you find the right professionals to take care of the job for you. For example, landscape architects at Think Outside Gardens will not only do the job properly but will even offer you alternative solutions and ideas.

 

Additionally, do know that in some countries you are required to obtain special permits if you’re doing any type of construction in your garden, so having professionals take care of this is also advisable.

 

 

Decide on the design

If you’ve chosen to section off your garden by using planting containers, you can now decide on the design of those areas. First off, make sure you create a sitting area where you can relax and enjoy spending time with your family and friends. Add a fire pit to enhance the chillout vibe.

 

Next, you can create an eating area or even an outdoor kitchen where you can host various parties and get-togethers whenever the weather allows it.

 

Finally, no Zen garden can be called that without a quiet, secluded meditation area where you’ll be able to relax both your body and mind and enjoy some quality “you” time.

 

This area doesn’t have to be too big, but it should feature a place to sit, some shade and even some fragrant flowers – lavender is easy to maintain, doesn’t require a lot of water but has numerous positive effects on your overall mood.

 

As you can see, creating a beautiful Zen garden that doesn’t require a lot of water to thrive is not at all difficult. You just need to browse through various designs until you find the one you like best, hire professionals to help you properly organize the space and use it to its full potential and, in the end, enjoy your newly-designed personal oasis.

Guest post by Lillian Connors

 

 

Gardening & Lawn Care – get all the supplies you need for a healthy lawn and beautiful garden.

 

 

About the Author

Lillian Connors can’t resist the urge to embark on a myriad of green living/home improvement projects and spread the word about them. She cherishes the notion that sustainable housing and gardening will not only make us far less dependent on others regarding the dwellings we inhabit, but also contribute to our planet being a better place to live on. You can check her out on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

 

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