Feng Shui in Your Garden: 04/13/09
California's history is rich with Chinese culture. Growing up here you'll learn a thing or two about feng shui but usually in as it relates to architecture and home decorating. I did know about the importance of water and wind chimes for movement and sound to soften up an area from my father who takes gardening seriously but until reading Feng Shui in Your Garden by Roni Jay, that's all I knew.

Feng Shui in Your Garden by British author Roni Jay looks only at how feng shui and the directing of ch'i in the garden can improve one's well being on a number of fronts. This short but beautiful photographically illustrated book has three main sections: principles of feng shui, general garden shapes and features, and types of gardens. Each chapter in these sections addresses specific pieces of feng shui to use when designing or redesigning a garden.

One of big points of the book is the dividing up of the garden into the eight compass points, each of which represent a different aspect of ch'i influence on life. I thought briefly about doing a chart for my own tiny patio garden but frankly there's all of about twenty square feet of it and not much wiggle room. Since I'm not a serious follower or believer in the magical or spiritual aspects of feng shui, I decided to give the exercises in the book a pass.

From a stylistic point of view, though, I enjoyed the suggestions and made some notes for future improvements for my garden. Again, though, this book will work best for people who have actual gardens (with dirt and trees and land) and not a tiny row of pots on a patio during a drought (my current situation).

books | nonfiction | Roni Jay | 1998

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Comment #1: Tuesday, April, 14, 2009 at 11:58:34

Jeane

I love gardening. And my husband is intrigued by Sheng Fui design. Maybe this book would help me put the two together.

Comment #2: Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 12:19:43

Pussreboots

It might. It certainly has some beautiful gardening ideas. I wish I had the space to try them out.

Comment #3: Tuesday, April, 14, 2009 at 14:08:38

Phyl

I know what you mean about the row of pots on a patio or balcony. There's not a lot of scope to rearrange things in that situation.

I'd have a similar problem if I tried to do feng shui in my apartment. With the arrangement of doorways, windows, & balcony window/door, not to mention phone or cable outlets, there are very few options for placing of certain items. Not unless one starts hanging furniture from the ceiling!

Comment #4: Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 12:22:53

Pussreboots

I'm giggling at the thought of hanging furniture from the ceiling. Our place is pretty cramped too.