A warm summer day, a picnic basket filled with your family’s favorites, and a blanket spread in the shade beside a gurgling spring. Can you think of a more peaceful and relaxing way to spend your summer days? With the rising cost of gas, why not turn your own backyard into the perfect picnic spot?

The first step is to create just the right spot. Running water is so peaceful, and building a small stream or other water feature is a beautiful addition to any yard.

The next component to a good picnic is shade. If you don’t already have natural trees to benefit from, invest in as large of a tree as you can find. Even the largest trees will still take some time to get established, so you may want to consider building a small gazebo, awning, or other protection. …continue reading Tips to Create the picnic perfect area in your own backyard

The Japanese serenity garden is famous for it beautiful tranquility that promotes peace, calm, and relaxation. What better place to rejuvenate your soul after a stressful day than amongst the gentle stillness of your backyard garden?

A water feature is an important inclusion in serenity gardens. A koi pond is a signature feature in Japanese gardens. These large and colorful fish will quietly add a touch of living beauty to your garden.

The Zen Garden is often located within the serenity garden and is designed to imitate the ocean. Take a large space and place rocks and statues where you desire. Surround the statues with gravel, and you have an ocean with islands. One of the Zen traditions is to rake designs into the gravel. Some fitting accessories you can include in your Zen Garden would be the Japanese Pagoda Fountain, oriental furniture, and Japanese Lanterns. …continue reading Creating a Japanese Serenity Garden

Maybe you live in a harsh climate, don’t have a green thumb, or simply want to add a different twist to your yard. A rock garden is a great addition to any yard, with a unique beauty all of its own. The official definition of a rock garden is a “type of garden that features extensive use of rocks or stones, along with plants native to rocky or alpine environments.”

The first step to building your rock garden is to select your location. You can either take advantage of an already rocky terrain, or bring in choice rocks to one specific spot. Rock gardens are normally small for easy maintenance, and work well on a slope to encourage good drainage. …continue reading Easy Accent for Your Yard: Build a Rock Garden