<p>If you have the privilege of having a garden or a small lawn in front of your house, don’t let it go waste. If nothing else, let the balcony be the extension of the green element in you.<br /><br /></p>.<p> It’s not a big thing to turn a patch of land into a beautiful landscaped scene, but maintaining it does cost time, labour and love. So, let the plant enthusiast in you manifest as you get busy decorating your garden. Once the patch is set with flowers, pots and planters, it’s time for some icing. And we will do it with elements — crazy, unique, cute, antique, straight-from-a-fairytale, to eco-friendly or even lying-in-the-junkyard-for-ages variety.<br /><br />Start with landscaping <br /><br />Before you set out to enthusiastically buy items for your garden, pause! First, get done with the landscaping. Demarcate the land where you would want to grow flowers from the space where you would keep the pots. Visualise the final space in your mind and start working backwards. Choose pots of one colour or perhaps multi-coloured ones.<br /><br />Pick up from the blue pottery Mediterranean collection or simply paint them bright. Lay the grass and decide if you will use it for walking over — lay cobbled stones for a walk guide — or if you prefer a sitting arrangement — then pick your garden <br />furniture. The good part is that if at any point you seem to be failing to do your <br />duties in the upkeep and management, you can call for a gardener. This is a <br />privilege we, Indians, always have.<br /><br />A container garden provides a riot of colour even if your yard is primarily paved. Just a few pots filled with bright fragrant flowers can transform any landscape into a work of art. “I developed a micro-farm on my terrace and it grows almost anything I lovingly sow. It took a lot of planning and effort in making the roof leakproof etc but the dividends are a beautiful farm where we even sit and chat at times,” says Bhawna Ahluwalia, an avid gardener.<br /><br />Theme for a dream<br /><br />It’s always better to follow a theme and gradually build up the garden with elements that go with it. However, it may get difficult to find the thematic items in one go. So, first, decide on a theme and keep your eyes open for any product that gels with your lawn design. Here’s a quick list to pick one from: animals – for the pet lovers; people — to show the humanitarian side of you; statues – inspiration from the famous Rock Garden; gnomes, fairies and gargoyles — for a magical touch. <br /><br />It’s not that difficult to find small lawn ornaments around these themes. A pair of cute looking squirrels nibbling at an acorn can be placed somewhere in the <br />corner to attract guests’ envy. And you needn’t even check out the garden shops for this. Look for what you’ve got as gifts at some point and never knew where to place them. Visit the local gift shop for any of the theme-related statues or structures that could be fixed on to the garden. <br /><br />Travel across the globe and you will definitely spot your pick somewhere. A universally explored theme is Buddha. Almost all Indian gardens want to portray the Buddha in some form or the other. <br /><br />Select from metal, clay or terracotta varieties. Be a regular at the flea markets, garage sales or your very own junkyard and you will surely find interesting items that can find their way into your garden.<br /><br />Fountains<br />These add life to the garden. Flowing gurgling water is not just a sight of beauty but therapeutic as well. Ensure a good supply and flow of water and install a pretty carved Victorian or simple yet elegant Roman or a regular plaster of Paris sprinkler. However, make sure that water does not settle in for long and that its circulation is maintained.<br /><br />Lighting<br /><br />Lighting adds the finishing touch to your garden. Observe the garden at different times of the day to pinpoint the spot for placing a solar lamp. This is not just eco-friendly but a great way to encourage and inspire guests too. Lights can be strategically installed to render a desired effect <br />— subdued, warm, cosy, defining. Look for garden lights that come in interesting shapes — squirrels, ducks, turtles, shells etc. Be innovative and make a lamp out of old containers or artefacts by plugging in a bulb.<br /><br />Swings <br /><br />Swings are an age-old feature that charm people of all ages. This can definitely be a hip and elegant add-on. The market is full of options. Wrought iron ones are sturdy and withstand all kinds of climates. Bamboo or cane is another eco-friendly option that adds warmth and is easy to maintain. Please your kids by installing a kids’ play gym or swing and see them happily occupied while you chit-chat over tea in the garden. Then there are singleton monkey swings for those solitary peaceful times. <br /><br />Old-world charm <br /><br />Postboxes, bird-shaped weather vanes, bird feeders, Victorian wrought iron garden chairs and tables, vintage clocks hanging from the tree or by the wall can make for a really inviting space. Junkyard sales and quaint alley shops are the best spots to find these collectibles. “When I did my garden, I knew I had to install fine garden furniture for sure. I got some exquisite cement chairs made from the local artist and painted it white. It actually looks like some vintage garden collection. My chairs and table stand all weathers and are always a topic of discussion with guests,” says Kripa Agnihotri. <br /><br />Arches too are not a bad idea if you have the space. Vines and creepers beautifully take over them and soon fill up the arches with their bounty. Cobbled stones are another attractive item that can add to the appeal. Pick them from local stores or <br />manage to carry them all the way back from your travels. Align them neatly to either demarcate areas or lay to pave the walkway. <br /><br />Feng shui garden <br /><br />It’s not just about decorative showpieces. The feng shui principles actually work towards creating a delicate balance, so very needed in all our lives. One of the basic feng shui ethics says to keep it clean. So, ensure you clean up the fallen leaves and weeds from the garden as they’re believed to silently suck up all good energy. Try to a have a few of these feng shui compliant plants — jade, peonies, silver crown, chrysanthemums, <br />money plant, plum blossom, bamboo, lotus, lime and peach tree. <br /><br />Ponds and water features can bring good energy into a garden as long as it is moving (yang) and not stagnant. If you already have a pond or water feature, make sure it is kept clean. In case of any leaks, fix them immediately. Placing a ba gua mirror (check a feng shui shop and you will certainly find this colourfully framed mirror hanging at the entrance) for disintegrating any stagnant energy.<br /><br />Most importantly, more than the placement of objects or the mere aura they create from their being there is you being involved in your garden. The kind of peace, love and happiness this activity will generate is unparalleled. <br /><br /></p>
<p>If you have the privilege of having a garden or a small lawn in front of your house, don’t let it go waste. If nothing else, let the balcony be the extension of the green element in you.<br /><br /></p>.<p> It’s not a big thing to turn a patch of land into a beautiful landscaped scene, but maintaining it does cost time, labour and love. So, let the plant enthusiast in you manifest as you get busy decorating your garden. Once the patch is set with flowers, pots and planters, it’s time for some icing. And we will do it with elements — crazy, unique, cute, antique, straight-from-a-fairytale, to eco-friendly or even lying-in-the-junkyard-for-ages variety.<br /><br />Start with landscaping <br /><br />Before you set out to enthusiastically buy items for your garden, pause! First, get done with the landscaping. Demarcate the land where you would want to grow flowers from the space where you would keep the pots. Visualise the final space in your mind and start working backwards. Choose pots of one colour or perhaps multi-coloured ones.<br /><br />Pick up from the blue pottery Mediterranean collection or simply paint them bright. Lay the grass and decide if you will use it for walking over — lay cobbled stones for a walk guide — or if you prefer a sitting arrangement — then pick your garden <br />furniture. The good part is that if at any point you seem to be failing to do your <br />duties in the upkeep and management, you can call for a gardener. This is a <br />privilege we, Indians, always have.<br /><br />A container garden provides a riot of colour even if your yard is primarily paved. Just a few pots filled with bright fragrant flowers can transform any landscape into a work of art. “I developed a micro-farm on my terrace and it grows almost anything I lovingly sow. It took a lot of planning and effort in making the roof leakproof etc but the dividends are a beautiful farm where we even sit and chat at times,” says Bhawna Ahluwalia, an avid gardener.<br /><br />Theme for a dream<br /><br />It’s always better to follow a theme and gradually build up the garden with elements that go with it. However, it may get difficult to find the thematic items in one go. So, first, decide on a theme and keep your eyes open for any product that gels with your lawn design. Here’s a quick list to pick one from: animals – for the pet lovers; people — to show the humanitarian side of you; statues – inspiration from the famous Rock Garden; gnomes, fairies and gargoyles — for a magical touch. <br /><br />It’s not that difficult to find small lawn ornaments around these themes. A pair of cute looking squirrels nibbling at an acorn can be placed somewhere in the <br />corner to attract guests’ envy. And you needn’t even check out the garden shops for this. Look for what you’ve got as gifts at some point and never knew where to place them. Visit the local gift shop for any of the theme-related statues or structures that could be fixed on to the garden. <br /><br />Travel across the globe and you will definitely spot your pick somewhere. A universally explored theme is Buddha. Almost all Indian gardens want to portray the Buddha in some form or the other. <br /><br />Select from metal, clay or terracotta varieties. Be a regular at the flea markets, garage sales or your very own junkyard and you will surely find interesting items that can find their way into your garden.<br /><br />Fountains<br />These add life to the garden. Flowing gurgling water is not just a sight of beauty but therapeutic as well. Ensure a good supply and flow of water and install a pretty carved Victorian or simple yet elegant Roman or a regular plaster of Paris sprinkler. However, make sure that water does not settle in for long and that its circulation is maintained.<br /><br />Lighting<br /><br />Lighting adds the finishing touch to your garden. Observe the garden at different times of the day to pinpoint the spot for placing a solar lamp. This is not just eco-friendly but a great way to encourage and inspire guests too. Lights can be strategically installed to render a desired effect <br />— subdued, warm, cosy, defining. Look for garden lights that come in interesting shapes — squirrels, ducks, turtles, shells etc. Be innovative and make a lamp out of old containers or artefacts by plugging in a bulb.<br /><br />Swings <br /><br />Swings are an age-old feature that charm people of all ages. This can definitely be a hip and elegant add-on. The market is full of options. Wrought iron ones are sturdy and withstand all kinds of climates. Bamboo or cane is another eco-friendly option that adds warmth and is easy to maintain. Please your kids by installing a kids’ play gym or swing and see them happily occupied while you chit-chat over tea in the garden. Then there are singleton monkey swings for those solitary peaceful times. <br /><br />Old-world charm <br /><br />Postboxes, bird-shaped weather vanes, bird feeders, Victorian wrought iron garden chairs and tables, vintage clocks hanging from the tree or by the wall can make for a really inviting space. Junkyard sales and quaint alley shops are the best spots to find these collectibles. “When I did my garden, I knew I had to install fine garden furniture for sure. I got some exquisite cement chairs made from the local artist and painted it white. It actually looks like some vintage garden collection. My chairs and table stand all weathers and are always a topic of discussion with guests,” says Kripa Agnihotri. <br /><br />Arches too are not a bad idea if you have the space. Vines and creepers beautifully take over them and soon fill up the arches with their bounty. Cobbled stones are another attractive item that can add to the appeal. Pick them from local stores or <br />manage to carry them all the way back from your travels. Align them neatly to either demarcate areas or lay to pave the walkway. <br /><br />Feng shui garden <br /><br />It’s not just about decorative showpieces. The feng shui principles actually work towards creating a delicate balance, so very needed in all our lives. One of the basic feng shui ethics says to keep it clean. So, ensure you clean up the fallen leaves and weeds from the garden as they’re believed to silently suck up all good energy. Try to a have a few of these feng shui compliant plants — jade, peonies, silver crown, chrysanthemums, <br />money plant, plum blossom, bamboo, lotus, lime and peach tree. <br /><br />Ponds and water features can bring good energy into a garden as long as it is moving (yang) and not stagnant. If you already have a pond or water feature, make sure it is kept clean. In case of any leaks, fix them immediately. Placing a ba gua mirror (check a feng shui shop and you will certainly find this colourfully framed mirror hanging at the entrance) for disintegrating any stagnant energy.<br /><br />Most importantly, more than the placement of objects or the mere aura they create from their being there is you being involved in your garden. The kind of peace, love and happiness this activity will generate is unparalleled. <br /><br /></p>
