How to Create a Peaceful Garden

If you’re looking for a peaceful place to sit and ponder, why not create a peaceful garden? While it’s always nice to have a garden entrance to physically go through to feel you are entering into a sanctuary, you can also just close your eyes for a moment and imagine yourself going through a vine-covered gate into a peaceful place as you enter your special garden. Any outdoor area large or small is suitable for creating a peaceful garden sanctuary.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Spiritual meditative focal item
• Water accent or sound machine
• Wind chimes
• Flowers and/or herbs
• Citronella candles
• Garden bench

1. 
   Spiritual meditative haven

   Get spiritual. The first thing you'll need for peaceful moments is a spiritual focal point to prompt a meditative mood and a place for personal prayer and reflection. This can be any spiritual iconic item that helps you to relax into a peaceful reflective state of mind.

2. 
   Rejuvinating water

   Use water. Another essential part of a peaceful garden is rejuvinating flowing or falling water. If you’re not lucky enough to have a stream running through your garden space, you can still create a waterfall, pond or a fountain. There are many prefabricated water accents available now that allow you to add the relaxing sound of flowing or falling water to your garden. You might also like to add a sound machine to enhance the water sounds or to add the water sounds if you can't add a water accent.

3. 
   Add herbs for aroma

   Delight your sense of smell. Frangrant herbs in containers or in herb gardens add wonderful scents. Some of the most fragrant plants are lavendar, rosemary, oregano, parsley, basil and pinneaple mint as well as spearmint. When you water them, they fill the air with the fragrant aroma. Whether you harvest and prepare them for use or just enjoy them outdoors, herbs are a special addition to any garden area.

4. 
   Flowers everywhere

   Use color everywhere. Envelop the garden with flowers. Try sunflowers and wildflowers in containers and flower beds. Hibiscus and black-eyed Susans, sweet Williams, marigolds and delicate daises fit in anywhere and everywhere. Who can resist the beauty and the accompanying peace from their pleasant appearance and scents?

5. 
   A touch of magic

   Include a fairy or two for a touch of magic.

6. 
   Versatile garden bench

   Find comfortable seating. Space permitting, a garden bench is a versatile seating option as you can sit on it side to side or forward; you can even lay down on it you choose to. If your space is limited and the garden is perhaps all on a balcony, you can use a mat to sit on the deck surface. You might even choose to use a yoga mat and work on your stress relief yoga movements. Another choice that lends itself to relaxation is a rocking chair. The rhythmic movement can be very soothing.

7. 
   Music from the wind

   Wind chimes add a wonderful ethereal music to the air. Music from the wind is a wonderful addition that can enhance peaceful experiences in your garden.

8. 
   Find peace

   Add extra details. Try adding a rose bush here and there; their scent is unmistakable and their beauty undeniable. You might also like to add a cittronella candle to ward off distracting bugs. Add anything else you like to make the garden your own peaceful haven. Magic moments and magical places don”t always just happen. Sometimes you can create them by having a wonderful peaceful garden to enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• Never leave candles unattended and be sure that any electrical items used outdoors are for outdoor use and properly grounded.

[ocbaby]

on 9/10/2008 Thanks for the great ideas! I am definitely going to add some fairies to my garden for the "touch of magic"!!!