Landscaping gardens

When looking for the right kind of property, one aspect a lot of people tend to overlook is the garden area. Big balconies and terraces are substitutes for a garden when considering an apartment. This open space, apart from being a beautiful add-on, affects the price of the property.

But what some fail to understand are the favourable effects of landscaped gardens, balconies and terraces on our day-to-day life in terms of vaastu and feng shui. If these landscaped areas can affect us favourably, then they can have adverse effects as well. This aspect of vaastu is called “vanaspati vaastu”.

Landscaping in vaastu and feng shui includes various aspects. It considers the shape of the garden, balcony or terrace, the slope of the land, the kind of plants and trees, the colours of the flowers, the water element, etc.

• Shape: The ideal or most preferred shape is square or rectangle. Distorted shapes are not preferred, but in such cases certain measures are taken to balance the negativity based on the direction and other aspects of the property.
• Slope: Once perfection is achieved in the shape, look into the levelling of the land or the floor. Never have a water feature in the south-west location. Similarly, avoid a depressed or low-lying south-west area or an elevated and heavy north-east. These issues must never be ignored, as they can have a strong negative impact. Taking care of the shape and slope controls the energies to a great extent, as these are structural issues.
• Plants: Every direction is associated with certain plants and trees based on their use, colours, size, etc. Thorny plants of any kind such as cacti are to be avoided. If you are keen on such plants, avoid placing them in the north-east. Also, avoid bonsai plants. Bonsai symbolises stunted growth in life. Therefore, they are best avoided indoors or outdoors. Plants that bear fruits are best placed along the western area. Small plants or shrubs are best suited in the north-east of the garden. Big plants or trees are best placed along the south-west. Ample usage of fragrant flowers and lush greens in the garden helps in enhancing the energies of any space. Plants are a major source of positive energy. Their impact on human life is known to all. The green colour of plants brings in a certain sense of peace and happiness at a subconscious level. Just the sight of greenery around us makes every individual happy.

In a place like Dubai, where good weather is enjoyed for almost six months, barbecuing is one of the most favoured outdoor activities. Placing a barbecue appropriately in the garden or terrace is very important. It is best located in the south-east or the north-west area of the garden. Avoid placing it in the north-east.

Placing water features such as swimming pools, fountain or water falls requires a lot of attention. Water is considered to be an unstable yet calming element. Therefore, proper care and planning has to go in when placing a water element. Water features are ideally located north or east. Avoid placing them in the north-east. The exact location is established based on calculations with respect to the dimensions of the area being considered. Also, pay a lot of attention towards the maintenance of this water feature, as unclean or contaminated water is the root cause of major issues.

We all need that Zen around us. The size of the garden or terrace does not matter. What matters is the sense of happiness and calmness derived by its mere presence.