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How to Plant a Prayer Garden

Christine McLachlan

Prayer gardens are outdoor spaces that are designed to facilitate thoughtful prayer and meditation. Overall, the space should provide a setting where God and all his creations can be appreciated and reflected upon. The process of creating a prayer garden can be a very rewarding experience. Particular elements of the garden vary, but some of the more common elements include biblical plants, religious statues, decorative biblical passages and comfortable seating.

Prayer gardens can easily be incorporated into yards with a few simple steps.
    Date palms are an attractive species of tree referenced in the Bible.
  1. Research plant material. Try to incorporate plants with special biblical meanings. Many useful online manuals provide biblical context and photographs to help you select appropriate foliage. Many of the plants may not be readily available or appropriate for where you live, so research the growing requirements of each plant before making any purchases.

  2. Analyze the space where you plan to put your garden. Note existing vegetation, where the best views are and any unpleasant noises, smells or distractions. Jot down a rough sketch and key details of your current space, including basic dimensions.

  3. Sketch a diagram of your prayer garden based on the information gained from your site analysis. Include the type and location for all the new features of your prayer garden in relation to the existing plants and features noted in your site analysis. Large plants may be used to block unpleasant views. Colorful specimen plants can draw attention to a particular garden element.

  4. Think about the mature size of vegetation while spacing plants.
  5. Plant your vegetation. Don't forget to take into account sunlight and spacing requirements of each plant.

  6. Saint Francis is the patron saint of animals and the environment.
  7. Place religious statues or biblical passages you would like to include in your garden. One of the more common statues featured in prayer gardens is Saint Francis. However, above all else, the statue should have personal significance to you, so include one that you like. Large statues can serve as a focal point, so place them in an area of your garden that you think deserves extra attention.

    Biblical passages can be inscribed on just about any form of hardscape. The most readily available form is premanufactured rocks. Avoid placing these too low or behind vegetation -- position them where you can read them easily.

  8. Add some comfortable seating to encourage use and enjoyment of your prayer garden. Place sitting areas under trees to provide shade. Orient the seating toward your garden's best views.