The sun has finally burst through and has a bite. Coats are coming off, t-shirts are coming out and everything is lighter again. Spring is here, mimosa and tulips are in all of the markets. It is the time to look at what outer space you have. If you don’t have any, get a big low pot and create a mini garden with bulbs and light grass. Many garden nurseries will help with this. For those with balconies and gardens, it is the time to clear out old plants, put down new soil and spruce up this area.
You Have a Garden
Use the Bagua map and determine where it is placed. The space needs to be pulled in to connect to the house. What does this mean? Many modern houses are L-shaped and the garden is the quarter that is missing on the floorplan. Don’t panic. Put a tall ornament, tree or light in the far corner to make the whole property a square to connect all of the space. Most corner gardens are at the back of the house.
The Wealth sector: spend as much as you can and buy plants that are likely to grow as the Wood element is key here. Think lots of bright green, blue and purple. A water fountain is possible here but keep it clean and gently flowing. Avoid a fountain with light in as this is adding the Fire element and Feng Shui practice would say that is burning the Wood and dousing out the Water. Basically burning down the house!
The Relationship corner: remember, pairs of trees, plants and ornaments. This is about love and companionship. Pinks, roses, lemons and white flowers are perfect and should blossom. As soon as a plant looks as if it is suffering or dying, get rid of it. Earth is the element here and lovely ceramics can be used but ensure there are two of a kind.
Balconies
First clean the space. The balcony in our Berlin apartment had broken and tired wooden boards. They were immediately replaced and the whole space was revamped. Our French balcony is a tiny space and just room for two low chairs and two French pots. It has old tomato tiles which we dislike and we are painting them a soft cafe colour. Using the Bagua map, determine what plants, colours and elements to use, avoid spiky leaves and go for growth. The Wealth and Relationship tips above apply so let’s review the other sectors.
Health & Family: obviously happy plants are key and similar to the Wealth sector.
Fame: it is about Fire and red – get those roses out!
Creativity & Children: the colour is white and Metal is the element. This can be found in furniture and pots.
Travel & Helpful People: white flowers are best here and Metal is the element again.
Lifepath & Career: black is the colour and Water is the element. Be careful with fountains, keep them gentle and without lights as this is adding a Fire element dousing out the Water aspect. Go for dark blue or keep it simple with dark green plants.
Self Knowledge: our small balcony is here with Earth as the element and where the colours of blue and green can be used. The beige tiles are the Earth element along with the two earthen French pots. Lavender is often a dark blue and grows well.
Final Thoughts
If it is a small area, use the space cleverly with shelves, trellis, pots and hooks. Consider the weather, how much sun or shade does the space get? How low maintenance do you want it to be? Will it need watering all the time? What about a windy day with the furniture. What does your building management allow?
And then sit back, enjoy it and I leave you with a quote from Fredrik Backman, “you’re never quite alone when you can stand on a balcony – you have all the cars and houses and the people in the streets. You’re among them, but also not. That’s the best thing about balconies”.
