Practical Tips for a Dry River Bed Construction

A Japanese dry river bed (often inspired by karesansui) is a great choice for a small garden—low maintenance, calming, and very flexible. Here are practical, step-by-step actions you can follow.

1. Choose the Location & Shape

Practical steps: Pick a spot with good drainage (or where you want to improve drainage). Mark out a gentle, meandering line using string, a hose, or sand on the ground. Keep it narrow in small gardens: 30–60 cm wide usually looks best. Tip: Curves should be soft and irregular—avoid perfect symmetry.

2. Prepare the Ground

Practical steps: Dig down 10–15 cm along the marked area. Remove weeds and roots thoroughly. Compact the soil lightly. Optional but recommended: Lay weed-suppressing membrane, cutting slits where plants or rocks will go.

3. Create the Base Layer

Practical steps: Add 3–5 cm of sharp sand or fine gravel to improve drainage. Rake it level and tamp it down. This prevents stones from sinking unevenly over time.

4. Select Stones Carefully

Key principle: Fewer, well-chosen stones look more authentic than many small ones. What to use: Rounded river stones or pebbles for the “water” Larger anchor stones (3–7 per small garden section). Look at our glacial stones.

Practical placement: Bury each large stone ⅓ into the ground so it looks natural. Place stones in odd numbers and vary their size. Angle some stones slightly, as if shaped by water flow.

5. Add the “River” Material Practical steps: Fill the channel with light grey, cream, or off-white gravel (10–20 mm works well). Spread evenly to a depth of 3–5 cm. Consider using slate scree. Tip: Avoid pure white gravel—it can look harsh and unnatural.

6. Rake for Flow & Movement Practical steps: Use a small hand rake - check out our range. Rake gentle parallel lines to suggest water flow. Curve the lines around stones, as if water is moving past them. Re-raking becomes part of the garden’s calming ritual.

7. Add Minimal Planting (Optional)

For a small garden, restraint is key. Good plant choices: Dwarf bamboo (clumping, not running) Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa) Moss (for shaded, damp edges) Low evergreen shrubs or a single acer Placement tip: Keep plants mostly at the edges so the river remains visually clear.

8. Frame the Area

Practical options: Dark timber edging Natural stone edging Leaving a soft grass or moss boundary This helps the river bed feel intentional rather than decorative gravel.

9. Maintain Simply

Ongoing care: Remove fallen leaves promptly. Re-rake after heavy rain or wind. Top up gravel every few years if needed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Too many stone sizes mixed together

❌ Bright white gravel

❌ Symmetrical or straight lines

❌ Over-planting