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28 LC DBM of my Asian landscapes. My knowledge of the ancient art is derived from self-education." As is typical with Zen gardens, the view corridors were calculated to be tightly controlled, and meditation areas were established. A New Holland compact skid-steer and a Bobcat compact excava- tor prepared the yard. Multiquip plate compactors compacted de- composed lava fines in the utility areas. Hand-selected sandstone boulders were harvested from Weiser, Idaho. Some boulders were chosen for their rough texture to rep - resent the craggy cliffs where the ancestors live. Other boulders were picked out for their smooth texture to encourage meditation. The landscape team built a live stream and waterfall and a dry stream by arranging and rearranging some of the boulders until the features looked extremely natural. Then they numbered the boulders in the live water feature, photographed their placement, removed them to install the liner, returned them to their established locations, and then added the boulders surrounding the stream and the river rock on the streambed. The skid-steer and the excavator helped with this effort. For some boulders, a chain was wrapped around them and hoisted by the ma- chines. Hanging in the air, the boulders could be viewed from all sides by the team to help them decide which sides should be visible and which boulders were the most appropriate to create the planned water route. "I am fortunate that Dave and Curt are masters in creating natural looking water features so I don't have to supervise every boulder that is placed," Sims admits. Suggesting another source of water, rubble and gravel line the bot- tom of the dry creek, which is bridged by three large sandstone slabs. Boulders placed in the dry creek represent secondary homes for the ancestors. Small 1/4" chip rock was used to create a "raking garden," a tradi - tional part of a Zen garden that is meant to give people opportunities to calm their minds as they rake patterns in the material. Water is circulated through the live waterfall and stream by two Aquascape pumps and plumbing products but the landscape team created their own invisible spring instead of using a manufactured spillway. The landscape is simplistic in nature with strategically placed plant materials, including evergreens, bamboo, and Japanese maples. The existing irrigation controller was deemed to be usable but a new drip system – Rainbird Xeribug emitters, 1/4" and 1/2" lines – and micro overhead spray heads were installed. At the entrance to the garden is a landing platform for visitors to stop and take in the views. The raised vegetable garden and a small patio area are out of con - text with the theme, but both are screened with plant material to keep the integrity of the Zen garden intact. In the future, accent lights from Vista Professional Outdoor Light- ing will be installed. Cougar Mountain Landscape built out the hardscape and Treasure Valley Landscape was responsible for completion of the softscape. In total it took eight workers three weeks to complete the project. Sims reports that the biggest challenge was containing the rhizomes of the bamboo. To solve the problem, the crew planted the bamboo in water troughs that are usually used for livestock. The troughs were then buried with only two inches showing above ground. That ex- posed surface was painted brown to disguise the metal. Other difficulties included the limited size of the yards. Access to the backyard was through a 5'-wide side yard so careful attention had to be paid to prevent damage to the fence and side of the house. The backyard itself was only 15' wide, which tested the landscape team's ability to make it appear wider. And what materialized in that small and non-descript yard, thanks to their work, was a picturesque, serene, yet intricate landscape that demonstrates the Zen tradition of rediscovery, and the Feng Shui principles of harmony. Above: To control the rhizomes of the bamboo located behind the waterfall, the crew planted it in water troughs that are usually used for livestock, which were then buried with only two inches showing above ground. That exposed surface was painted brown to blend in. To the left of the bamboo is a weeping white pine. Framing the bottom of the photo is a Japanese red maple. DBM LC