What is the philosophy behind the dry landscape gardens of Japan?
The roots of Japanese dry gardens are deeply intertwined with Zen Buddhism, which is quite prominent in Japan. Central to Zen philosophy are notions of simplicity, mindfulness, and the appreciation of truly living in the present moment. Zen gardens are structured around seven guiding principles: Austerity (Koko), Simplicity (Kanso), Naturalness (Shinzen), Asymmetry (Fukinsei), Mystery or Subtlety (Yugen), Magical or Unconventional (Datsuzoku) and Stillness (Seijaku). Your Zen garden should promote most or all of these concepts.Dry gardens, or Zen rock gardens, are interpreted primarily as representations of the path to enlightenment within the Zen Buddhist tradition. Their minimalist design and focus on meditation promote mindfulness and contemplation.The Dry (Karesansui) Garden (sometimes erroneously called Zen) is a garden that does not fit the Westerner’s typical image of a garden. Instead of colorful flowers and foliage, it is instead a simple bed of raked gravel, interspersed with a few large rocks and surrounded by shrubs.A Zen garden is usually relatively small, surrounded by a wall or buildings, and is usually meant to be seen while seated from a single viewpoint outside the garden, such as the porch of the hojo, the residence of the chief monk of the temple or monastery.
What is the word for a dry garden?
The term ‘Xeriscape’ was coined in America after a prolonged drought in Denver Colorado led locals to look for a less resource-dependent way of gardening. Xeros is a Greek word that means dry. A Xeriscape works with nature employing the natural flow of water through the landscape as the basis for water conservation. Typically, xeriscaping is used as another word for dry landscaping, or desert landscaping. Xeriscape is there to fill the void in the areas of the world that are too dry to have a lush, colorful garden.
How to make a dry garden?
Soil health is essential when creating a dry garden Use lots of well-rotted organic matter and keep the soil well aerated, ideally use your own compost in the right places, depending on your plant choice. To retain moisture, mulch the soil with wood chip or bark or even gravel. The main characteristic of a dry garden is the use of plants that are adapted to arid or semi-arid conditions. These plants have evolved to survive with minimal water and are typically drought-tolerant, meaning they can withstand extended periods of dryness.
How to dry a garden?
To dry out soil quickly, you can apply hydrated lime to the soil, add compost and then turn the soil thoroughly to aerate it. Adding hydrated lime and compost will help absorb the water in your soil, and turning it all will help distribute the water in the waterlogged soil throughout your garden. This process involves spreading lime over the soil and mixing it thoroughly. The lime reacts with water in the soil, forming calcium hydroxide, which in turn helps to dry out the soil by facilitating drainage and reducing moisture content.To dry out soil quickly, you can apply hydrated lime to the soil, add compost and then turn the soil thoroughly to aerate it. Adding hydrated lime and compost will help absorb the water in your soil, and turning it all will help distribute the water in the waterlogged soil throughout your garden.