Watching My Garden Grow

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Sheryl Checkman

Urban Garden on the upper east side of Manhattan

My zen garden!

Some of you might remember how the tree in my backyard came tumbling down last October in the freak snowstorm that hit our area. The heavy snow, falling on the tree still full of its autumn leaves was just too much for my poor wild cherry! The massive tree took out both my deck and the fence to my neighbors yard as well. The good news was that insurance covered the replacement of my deck so I got to start from scratch (almost) in planning my new garden oasis on the Upper East Side of Manhattan!

I thought I’d bring you up to date on my progress so far! The contractor and his workers got the new deck built (based upon my design) in just over a week. I was amazed at just how efficient and ON TIME they were. Oh and did I mention that their craftsmanship was really first rate too?

Once the deck was completed, it needed some color! So I went to my local garden center, Urban Garden Center on 116th Street and Park Avenue (yes there is a garden center in Manhattan). Dmitre was very helpful in suggesting plants and flowers that would do well in my northern facing garden. I bought as much as could fit in my friend’s Mini Cooper and spent Saturday afternoon planting away. I still need a bit more but I think my garden is starting to shape up nicely! In the rear of the garden I placed some black river stones to create a zen rock garden. I plan on adding a Buddha fountain as well (as soon as the one I want is back in stock!). Stay tuned for more updates and photos as my garden continues to take shape!

My Rhododendron is starting to bloom!

Hostas in the deck cut-outs and impatiens and vinca vine in the baskets on the fence.

If you love to garden, or know someone who is, take a look at this gardening t-shirt from Life is Balance! It makes a great gift for any gardener, urban or otherwise.

Snow in October…and a shift in the balance

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Sheryl Checkman

My backyard garden on New York's upper East Side

My backyard had no idea of the destruction that was to come.

This was the way my garden looked last summer, and the summer before that. The big wild black cherry tree that sat in my backyard for as long as I’ve lived there reached out its branches to shade my Rhododendron and lent a branch to hold up a lantern or two as well. But last Saturday, the fine balance of tree and yard came to an end when during the freak October snowstorm, the mighty tree fell, right before my eyes. I was sitting at my window talking to a friend, commenting on how I hoped the snow on the tree still laden with leaves, wouldn’t break any branches, when I saw the tree fall over. It seemed to fall in slow motion and barely made a sound. I couldn’t believe it! It totally up-routed itself, taking along my deck and fence and laying to rest across three other building yards. I am thankful that no one was outside when it fell and it did not fall onto any buildings.

My fallen tree

However, I am saddened by the loss of this great tree. The tree man who came to assess the damage told me that probably no one planted it, that most likely it just grew on its own. It stood for well over the 30 years that I had come to know it. It was witness to many a garden party and evening gathering.

So what did I learn from this experience? Nothing is permanent. There is a fine balance in life which sometimes tips one way or the other. We can’t always be prepared for the tip, but we can learn to re-set the balance. My deck will be rebuilt (hopefully insurance will help with that), and it will probably feel a bit more spacious and be sunnier. I may even be able to plant those flowers that never would grow before because they needed more sun. But still, I will miss that great old tree.

A great old tree – it served me well!

A New Perspective Balances My Day!

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Sheryl Checkman

The Lotus Garden, a community on west 97th Street in NYC

A little bit of heaven I discovered on West 97th Street

I’ll admit that this has not been a great week for me. I’ve been anxious about a few things lately, both personal and business-related. It hasn’t felt good. However, yesterday I discovered that sometimes a new perspective can literally change your perspective!

I spent an hour yesterday morning in the Lotus Garden, a hidden community garden, tucked away above a garage on West 97th Street in Manhattan. Deborah Roth of Spirited Living, introduced me to this hidden gem, where she tends her very own urban garden plot. The lush green space is abundant with a variety of plants, flowers, couple of ponds and even a peach tree! All this on the Upper West Side – who knew?

Deborah is a Life Transition Coach, Certified Relationship Coach, and Interfaith Minister. Deborah and I met in a women’s networking group that we both belong to, Powerful You Women’s Network. Our meeting this morning was to get to know each other better and I definitely left, not only knowing more about Deborah and the unique perspective she brings to her coaching business, but I think I also gained a new friend as well. Deborah has a calm, easy demeanor and is easy to talk to… she’s a good listener. I can see what a great coach she must be.

That hour spent talking with Deborah in her garden made me realize that things are not always as they appear to be. You can look up to see a garden atop a garage on a city street, or you can keep your eyes down and only see the concrete pavement below. It’s how you choose to look that can change your perception. Our visit in the garden came to an end. Deborah was off to a yoga class and I left to tackle the challenges that waited for me back home. We all find balance in different ways, and I find that those ways change daily. Yesterday it was discovering a beautiful garden and a new friend – and a yoga class later that evening didn’t hurt either!