“It’s a smile, it’s a kiss, it’s a sip of wine, it’s summertime.”

When temperatures soar the place to enjoy cooling off is the backyard! You can make summer more fun with these hot and juicy Feng Shui garden tips. I believe you’ll toast to the ambience, enjoy the smiles and entertain with the confidence that you made safe, smart, design decisions.

Love to grill? Measure the back of the house and find the center. Place the barbie there (make sure you have adequate ventilation). As a Fire element it will create a connection to the Fame gua (also a Fire element) of the house. With proper intention the two strengthen Fame and will bring recognition to your career.

Laying down pavers for the back patio? The most auspicious shape is an oval. But also natural curves are auspicious and much better than straight lines and protruding angular shapes. The Chinese discovered thousands of years ago that negative Ch’i travels in a straight line.

Where to put Fido’s dog house. The Helpful People gua (front right corner of your yard). Your dog is a helpful person to you and the family. Give him the recognition he deserves by placing his shelter in the gua that serves you both.

Yearning for a gazebo? If you are looking to transform your backyard and want to know the best placement for a gazebo, remember detached buildings can be tricky. If the gazebo is enclosed and in the far left corner of the lot, money will be hidden by a family member. If it is in the far right corner of the lot, you may find your partner eating in someone else’s kitchen. An open (no walls) gazebo in Wealth and Partnership are OK. But consider an open gazebo in Fame. This will increase your visibility at work and in your career.

Digging up the backyard for a pool? Placement is of the utmost importance. If an angle of a pool is pointing at a door or window into the house, the occupants will have:

• The occurrence of an illness in the head.
• Ocular diseases, especially if pointing at a window.
• Gynecological diseases if pointing at a sliding door, especially to the bedroom.
• Strange illnesses.

To cure: place nine potted plants between the corner of the pool and the door or window.

If you need helpful people in your life…try adding a round (vase-shaped) tree in Helpful People in the garden.

How to make your pond Feng Shui perfect. A pond should have a visible entry of water, as well as an exit, to avoid the impression of stagnation.

Need money for all of this? You earned this bonus item after buying a new grill, upgrading Fido’s dog house, splurging on the gazebo, excavating the backyard for a pool and adding a pond with koi. To cure: in keeping with the hot and juicy garden Feng Shui cures, place something associated with a wind mill into wealth. The movement will spin away any stagnant Ch’i. Remember to visualize your intention and choose an auspicious day.

Want design help with the rest of the house? Try Feng Shui A La Carte. 

If you feel you’ve benefited from any of the Feng Shui garden or any of the cures I share, please send a red envelope. Email me for details.

What I have discovered about our homes is that creating a heart healthy space leads to peace and contentment. The bedroom is where it begins. Start with my complimentary pdf: 27 Bedroom Concepts To Maximize Your Health, Happiness and Peace of Mind. Design your space to your best advantage. Subscribe to my blog and special offers. You’ll receive this valuable Feng Shui Guide as a thank you gift.