How do I turn a tiny patio into a zen garden

On Pinterest look up zen gardens and you’re likely to fin at least fifty specific ideas. For planting’s appropriate to your space and location, go to your local garden center or county agriculture center.

Gravel raked into a design. Buddha - Bamboo Plant in Pot - Water feature...

I agree. Keep things simple. Container pots work well after a few foundation plants are in the ground. A white garden would be nice: astilbe, hosta, white rhodendron, etc. Depends on your climate and exposure, so check with your local nursery. Must have a water feature. If you can't do gravel try mulch that is fine enough to walk on. Or, decomposed gravel.

Less is more... raked gravel, larger specimen stone, a buddha, a bonsai tree, a water feature..... https://www.google.com/search?q=pictures+of+a+small+zen+garden&client=opera&hs=izl&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjZ4deZtsraAhVD92MKHVKICgIQsAR6BAgAEE8&biw=1242&bih=598

What a lovely idea. So restful and contemplative. Yes, what Sharon said was what I would have suggested.

If you can't do gravel, there a short ground covers, like creeping thyme that are heavenly to walk on.. some grow mounded, like small island and some even have tiny flowers!