How to Design a Backyard Serenity Garden

With the stresses of modern life, more people are trying to spend less time on the go and more time close to home. People are spending more time in their yards, relaxing by connecting with nature. If you design a backyard serenity garden, you will create a tranquil retreat.

Things You'll Need

• Plants
• Stones
• A centerpiece such as a statue, bird bath, or fountain
• A simple bench
• Steppingstones
• Pickax

Instructions

1. Decide where you want your backyard serenity garden to be. Some things to consider are sun exposure, amount of shade and proximity to neighbors' homes.

2. Decide on the shape and design of your backyard serenity garden. Most people find curves peaceful and pleasing to the eye, but you may prefer straight lines and sharp angles.

3. Use a pickax to break up the soil and sod in the place where your serenity garden will be. Break through several inches of the soil so it will be easier to plant your plants. Remove any pieces of sod to prevent grass from growing in your garden.

4. Choose plants that make you feel at peace. They could be tropical plants, fragrant flowering plants, succulent plants, or whatever kind of plant makes you feel happy and serene and that will grow in your climate.

5. Place the plants in a way that pleases your eye. For some people, this may mean placing the tallest, fullest plant in the back center of the garden with smaller plants in front of it. For others, this may mean arranging the plants from tallest to shortest, left to right (or right to left). Because this is your serenity garden, meant to bring peace to you, the placement of your plants is entirely up to you.

6. Place a meaningful focal piece in the center. This could be a statue, bird bath or fountain.

7. Add some stones between or around the plants. These should be stones that you find pleasing. For some people, these will be smooth, round stones, while for others they may be large, chunky and rough.

8. Add a bench in or near the garden so you can sit quietly and enjoy your backyard serenity garden. This can be made of wood, concrete or any other durable material. It should have room for two people so that you can sit alone with your thoughts or enjoy the quiet with one special person.

9. Add steppingstones that lead from your house to your backyard serenity garden. This way, you can get to your garden in any weather, without stepping in rain puddles.