How to Build a Zen Garden on Your Deck

A Zen garden is a small area of sand, rocks and gravel used while meditating or for distracting the mind. These gardens originated in 15th century Japan as a teaching tool used by Buddhist monks learning to still their minds. Most often, these gardens appear on a small scale, such as a 6-by-12 inch rectangle, pr they can cover a whole back yard. Make your own Zen garden on a deck for a quiet place to think.

Measuring tape
Pencil
1, 4-by-6 sheet of ¾ inch MDF
Table saw
1, 2-by-4 inch board 8-feet long
1, 2-by-4 inch board 12-feet long
1 box of 2-inch wood screws
Clamps
Hand sander
Paint or stain
Sand
Large smooth boulders
Garden rake

Instructions

- 1
  Measure your space to determine if the garden will fit. If not, adjust the measurements to fit your deck.
- 2
  Measure 4 inches from one end of the 6-foot lengths of 2-by-4 inch wooden boards. Make a mark at the measurement and cut the 6-foot long 2-by-4 pieces on the mark.
- 3
  Place the sheet of Medium Density Fiberboard flat on the work surface. Place one 4-foot piece of 2-by-4 on one of the shorter ends standing on its side. Secure with clamps to keep in place. Flip the piece over and drill pilot holes every 6 inches through the MDF into the 2-by-4. Attach with wood screws.
- 4
  Place one of the 6-foot boards on top of one of the longer sides of the plywood so the short end of the 2-by-4 is butted against the 2-by-4 already attached. Hold in place with clamps. Flip the board over and drill pilot holes through the MDF into the 2-by-4. Attach the two pieces with wood screws.
- 5
  Repeat for the other two 2-by-4 pieces to make a shallow box. Sand the box and paint or stain as desired.
- 6
  Place the larger boulders into the garden in a random fashion. No matter what size garden you have, you will want boulders spaced a good distance from one another.
- 7
  Fill the box with sand until the sand is about one inch below the top of the frame. Spread the sand around the boulders and level.
- 8
  Rake the sand around the boulders and in the box to make a pattern.

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