| A nice backyard or garden is a perfect addition to | | | | southwest area of your garden is associated with |
| any house, it creates a place for family members to | | | | the earth element and creates a sustaining and |
| sit outside, enjoy the outdoors and change their | | | | grounding force. In the northeast, water element is |
| atmosphere completely. Once you have a place that | | | | at home. This element will allow your plants to |
| has an outdoor backyard or garden you will need to | | | | flourish. The fire element in the southeast supports |
| put in some effort into the design of the garden, it | | | | disease-free plants. The northwest is related to the |
| has an amazing affect on your family's health and | | | | air element encouraging cross-pollination. |
| well-being. This article will discuss the creation of | | | | So now that we discussed the theory, here are few |
| harmony in your garden or backyard and bring peace | | | | great tips you can use to bring the five elements into |
| and happiness within your home. | | | | better balance with your garden and make it a |
| Vastu in Sanskrit means nature , a surrounding or | | | | sanctuary that is not only beautiful to look and |
| environment. The word "Vaasthu" denoting anything | | | | wonderful to spend time in, but will actually have an |
| existing such as house or shelter. Shastra means | | | | empowering affect on the health and well-being of |
| systems. Vastu shastra is an ancient art and science, | | | | you and your family. |
| containing principles and practices of constructing | | | | 1. Invest in the southwest area of your garden. This |
| buildings which ensures a harmonious balance | | | | should be done in order to stabilize the force of the |
| between man and nature and thereby bring all round | | | | earth element. You can do this with a rock garden, |
| happiness, health, wealth and prosperity. Vastu | | | | tall trees and even a stone statue. 2. The water |
| Shastra dates back some 7,000 - 10,000 years ago in | | | | element can be used in the garden by using low |
| India. | | | | plantings in the northeast that will allow the flow of |
| The Indians observed the Nature and recorded how | | | | positive solar energy. Add a fountain or reflection |
| different rays of the sun, the magnetic poles, the | | | | pool or pond in this area to reflect this beneficial |
| makeup of the land, soil, slope, structures, etc. | | | | energy throughout the garden. |
| affected all living things. It is the oldest recorded | | | | 3. The southeast side of your garden should be |
| architectural treatise known to man and it is from this | | | | devoted to the fire element, here you can place a |
| science that some of the world's most enduring | | | | fire pit, the fire pit is a great way to serve the fire |
| structures have been created. | | | | element, and it will also be a delight to look at, once |
| According to the science of Vastu, all of the five | | | | placed in the right location and setup properly, you |
| elements (earth, water, fire, air and space) aspire and | | | | and your family will enjoy a fire pit. Red symbolizes |
| need to be in harmony. This is true to all living things, | | | | this direction so plant tulips, geraniums and dahlias |
| including plants, we all requires that all five elements | | | | here. |
| be balanced. The disproportion of any one | | | | 4. Use wind chimes to balance the air element in the |
| element-quality of the earth, quality of water, wind, | | | | northwest. Since blue is the color of this area, plant |
| sun, or the amount of space it is planted in-will inhibit | | | | bluebells, forget-me-nots and iris to enhance the |
| its growth. In this way a wise gardener sets up a | | | | influences coming from this direction. |
| balanced environment for his plants to grow free | | | | A well-designed and tended garden, using the |
| from disease and stress. | | | | principles discussed here, consideration to space, |
| You should remember that each area of your garden | | | | earth and fire using a fire pit will benefit you and all |
| is associated with one of the five elements. The | | | | the members of your family for years to come. |