Price : $18.68

Product Description

A thousand years of tradition comes to life in the contemporary gardens showcased in these pages. The New Zen Garden introduces the contemplative Japanese space in all its varied forms, then guides you through the basics of theory, design, and construction, blending age-old techniques with modern innovation.

After a brief history of the spiritual and cultural aspects of the Japanese garden, author Joseph Cali reveals the underpinnings of the gardener’s art. In simple and straightforward terms, he shows you how to conceive a small- to medium-size garden for your home, townhouse, or apartment balcony, then how to add the final elegant touches of your choice, including stone lanterns, bamboo fences, cobbled pathways, and sculpted plantings.

Superb examples of contemporary gardens abound, many never before published in English. Works from some of the foremost experts in the field today complement the text. Dozens of carefully conceived line drawings by the author–as well as additional instruction by top professionals–further illuminate the finer points of garden-making. When all is said and done, The New Zen Garden offers an abundance of ideas to transform your backyard, patio, terrace, courtyard, or other expanse into a space steeped in a quiet joy you’ll cherish for years to come.

Customer Reviews

Review date : 2008-08-13
This book in itself is literally a work of art. The book is a beautiful. Like Zen ……the book points the way to a modern Zen garden. The colored photos, the text, the black and white photos, the plans, the sketches, the examples, the details, the composition are as perfectly organized as a high order Zen garden. This is the Zen garden book I had been looking for. Joseph Cali does an excellent job of walking you thru the process of designing a garden. He starts with a plan and then does something very few authors/designers accomplish in the western world……….he promotes garden design thru……….intuition. I love it. He shows you how to put a plan together that "responds" logically to the site and then he advises the reader that while you are actually building the garden, stop and………..listen to what should happen while in the process of creating the garden! Go with what "feels" right. This book is only 88 pages long. Again this in itself is symbolic of the Zen way; simple, pure and free of the particular. If you purchase this book, be sure to study the list of plants and the bibliography.

Review date : 2008-06-29
"Early to pre-modern Japanese civilization was shaped in part by Chinese culture through direct contact or as filtered through the Korean Peninsula. Garden design arrived in Japan between the sixth and seventh century A.D., in the first wave of cultural influences from China that affected the arts, government, architecture, city planning and the written language…" Joseph Cali writes, he continues to describe the history of spiritual and cultural aspects of Japanese garden, and the underpinnings of the garden’s art. He also shows you how to use Japanese garden principle to design you own small to medium garden, adding finish touches with stone lanterns, bamboo fences, sculpted plantings and cobbled pathways.

"The New Zen Garden: Designing Quiet Spaces" includes five chapters: The Roots of Japanese Garden, Layout and Enclosure, Stone and Gardens, Water and Related Garden Fixtures, and Planting and Other Garden Features.

"The New Zen Garden: Designing Quiet Spaces" has 88 pages and many beautiful interior color photos. It is a fine addition to your Japanese garden collection.

Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA

Review date : 2004-10-03
This book is itself a work of art, the best I’ve ever seen in the field. The photographs convey the quiet, peaceful, beauty of small Zen gardens so well, that it is a joy to look at. Mr. Cali’s text clearly introduces and explains both the historical background and the philosophical/aesthetic concepts behind Zen gardens. The traditional techniques to create your own garden space, large or small, are explained clearly enough to give anyone the confidence to create even a tiny oasis of natural peace within their home environment. This is best book on zen gardens to come out in a long time. Highly recommended.

Price : $15.29

Customer Reviews

Review date : 2007-10-30
It’s nice to have the combination of someone so well researched who is simultaneously an excellent practitioner. Lots of great ideas about transplanting (I hadn’t heard of soil blocks before). Many great tool recommendations as well. This is worth the time and money!

Review date : 2007-07-15
This book is awesome. Eliot presents an abundance of information. The information is organized and clear. Eliot does not assume what we already know, and what we have at our disposal. For example, many books will tell you how to create a mulch pile. You need this much brown matter, this much green matter, … . That is all fine and dandy, but where do I magically get all of this material! Eliot understands this and explains many ways we can obtain the mulch material. He also does not assume your knowledge basis. For example, he will explain what and how a lugume works. This book is a constant resource for the organic gardener.

A great book!

Review date : 2007-02-09
Got me hiped up for my next several years here in Missouri. Practical, simplified systems for both the new and novice organic gardener. Definitely a fun read. Bring your highlighter. Thank you to the author, and all of the great shoulders that he stood on to get to this point…

Review date : 2006-12-21
Mr. Coleman has packed so much information into this wonderful book! I have started to use many of his suggestions. Keeping the costs of growing food down was one of the first subjects that caught my attention.

Review date : 2006-08-10
This is absolutely the best, straightforward, down to earth, organic gardening book I have ever read. No hype, no buzzwords, no new age crap, no agenda. Simply down to earth – literally.