PRINCIPLES FOR LANDSCAPING

GENERAL VAASTU PRINCIPLES FOR LANDSCAPING

1. Ground Preparation: Make sure that the ground to the North and East is not elevated above the house foundation. The ground on the South and West sides can be higher than the foundation level or at the same level all around, but not lower than the level of the ground to the East or North.

2. Ponds and other water bodies should be in the Northeast sector. 

3. If you are creating a stream, it should flow toward the North or East.

4. If you are creating a waterfall, it should be on the Southeast side, flowing toward the North. 

5. Rocks and rock formations should be on the South or West side.

6. A children's play area, such as a swing set, should be in the Northwest.

7. Whenever possible, plants should be selected carefully to balance the vaata, pitta, and kapha principles. For aesthetic purposes, you may wish to include ornamental plants for which the tridhaatu composition is not known. In that case, try to coordinate the color of the flowers or plants with the colors of the governing planets for each direction.

8. All tall trees should be planted in the South and West. No tall tree should be planted in the North or East in such a way that the shadow of the tree falls on the house for more than two hours a day. 

9. The Southwest and Northeast comers should be kept free of any trees.

10. There should be no Milk-sap-yielding plants in the garden. Avoid keeping this type of plants.

11. No thorny plants should be placed on the East or North side.

12. The Southwest and Northeast corners should be kept free of plants, except Bilva (Aegle marmelos) in the Southwest.

13. Aromatic plants are more potent than non-aromatic plants. Try to include one or two aromatic plants in each direction. 

14. Most medicinal plants are not ornamental plants and thus they are not very suitable for aesthetic landscaping.