Zen Landscaping in Calgary

By Jose G. Monagas  |  https://ishidorozengardens.com/ Watering lawns and gardens is expensive and inefficient, especially in a dry region like Calgary. On the other hand, Japanese Zen dry gardens make use of boulders, stones, rocks, gravel, sand, and plants that can withstand drought conditions. According to the City of Calgary, some 30 percent of all residential water consumption is used for lawn and garden irrigation. In 2023, the average monthly water bill for a household was $111. If households reduce this expense by 30% during the summer months, they could save around $200 per year. With 356,225 families in Calgary (per the 2021 census), these savings are quite substantial. Furthermore, a study conducted at the University of Alberta suggests that incorporating green spaces can lead to a notable appreciation in property values in Edmonton, ranging from 5% to 15%. By applying this 5% increase to the average residential property value in Calgary, which amounted to $555,000 ...

By Jose G. Monagas  |  https://ishidorozengardens.com/ Residents in Calgary have consciously decided to immerse themselves in a haven of peace and tranquility as we introduce the captivating world of Japanese Zen style gardens and landscaping as an option. Meanwhile, both the news and media have consistently reported about how much water is being wasted on unsustainable lawns -- where households consume in excess of 10 thousand gallons of water annually. This phenomenon, known as "the hidden water waste in lawn maintenance" is something we aim to address through our approach. It is unsettling to see how in dry climates like Calgary, homeowners tend to overwater their lawns during the hot summer months in order to maintain their green appeal. Unfortunately, this results in a significant amount of fresh water being lost through evaporation. So, adopting Zen dry gardens is a smart move towards a more sustainable future, as they require minimal to no irrigation -- which is an ide...

By Jose G. Monagas   |    https://ishidorozengardens.com/ In Calgary, the climate gracefully offers a taste of icy serenity and fiery passion. So, you should expect to transition between cold winters and hot summers with plenty of rain. It is prairie-like, and mostly sunny throughout the year. Despite being dry, Calgary is known for being the sunniest city in Canada, with an average of 2,396 hours of sunshine annually. More precisely, July is the hottest month with an average temperature of 16.5 degrees Celsius, while January is the coldest at minus 7 degrees. The wettest month is June with an average of 80mm of rain; and March is the snowiest with around 23cm of snow. In contrast, Japan is a rainy country with high humidity levels. For example, in May, Kyoto has temperatures ranging from 24 to 13 degrees Celsius, with an average precipitation of 154 millimeters. Although Kyoto has a humid subtropical climate, winters can be cold with some snowfall. It is no secret t...