A Watering I Did Go

By Michele Reisch

After weeks of receiving cheerful email reminders from the block association that the flower beds on West 55 Street were being mulched, then bulbed, or planted, I finally set my alarm for 6PM to remember to join the watering crew.

Gathered in front of 345, was Paul, the majordomo of the H2O brigade, surrounded by a small band of volunteers. They happily chatted as the oversized green cans were being filled. Today we would be feeding the plants with Miracle-Gro and each bed would get a full 2 gallons of fluid. My extra pair of hands was welcomed.

Paul explained that I should take my time as I work, so the water could begin to soak into the soil. During the heat wave, the beds get really baked. If you pour too quickly the water runs into the street, defeating the whole purpose. "Think of the soil as a sponge," he added, "when you wet it a second time it absorbs more."

Growing up in Florida, I had often set out the sprinklers in the afternoon, and regularly hosed the plants on the side of our house. Eagerly I grabbed a full watering can. "This should be a doddle," I thought. Nope. Scratch that. It was a waddle. Turns out a watering can filled with 2 gallons of liquid weighs close to 20 pounds. Slowly, with an awkward 2-handed carrying style, I shuffled toward my assigned bed. Praying not to trip.

Arriving safely I began the task at hand, gently splashing the blue tinted elixir onto flora and soil. I was joyously in my own little world, humming to the plants, encouraging them to grow. I am goddess. I am a fairy. I am Mother Nature incarnate, dancing among the trees!

Okay, so I got a little carried away.

As the agua trickled around the tree roots, I began to notice so many things. The variety of the plants as they stretched towards the sun. The treasure trove of trash hidden under the blossoms. Saddest of all was a withering impatiens, where a dog had been allowed to pee on it. I gave that plant an extra drink hoping it would bring her back from the brink. It often does.

Before I knew it we had traveled round the block, feeding 37 different flower beds. Along the way I made many observations and heard of different adventures in ye olde watering game. All of these episodes I'm keen to share on a regular basis with you. A Weekly Sprinkle, if you will.