Pochoda Residential Garden

The Pochoda Residential Garden is located in Lyme, New Hampshire. I discovered this garden as a result of an article I read from the North American Garden Association by Phil Pochoda in which he discussed why and how he constructed his garden. Intrigued, I reached out to Phil and he kindly accepted my request for a visit.

Website: https://najga.org/pochoda/ (Phil's article vand YouTube video)

In 2013, the garden was constructed along a previously engineered pond on the property. 

I noticed the garden shares some similarities with the Shin-Boku Nursery & Stroll Garden in Wentworth, New Hampshire. It turns out that the owner of the nursery provided advice and assistance when the garden was being designed and constructed.

Over the years additional sections and features were added, including a karesansui Zen garden. 

The overall garden is essentially a stroll garden, but the pathway goes well beyond the edge of the pond, winding further up the slope of the hill behind the pond. Its terminus brings one to a bench with an elevated view of the entire garden and property.

Along the pathway, one encounters as many as ten different species of pine tree, including at least four large Scots Pine, all impressively pruned.

There are also a large number of reddish granite stones strategically placed throughout the garden, all having been excavated from on the property.

Strolling through the garden provides some interesting highlights as one makes their way to the grotto at the far end of the garden.

Finally, crossing a small bridge provides an alternative view of the grotto and a profile of the entire garden from the far side of the pond.

The garden was a real joy to visit, especially on a warn and sunny day. It was also a thrill to visit a garden designed for the extreme weather conditions associated with this region of New Hampshire. This opportunity expanded my garden visiting experience and I am grateful to Phil and Mary for the opportunity to visit such a wonderful garden.

Mahayana Temple

I recently discovered that there was a Buddhist temple within an hour driving distance of my home. The Mahayan Temple is a retreat of the Eastern States Buddhist Temple of America, the oldest such Buddhist temple on the eastern United States and founded by Annie Ying. It's construction began during the late 1960s and opened to the public in 1971. 

Currently, the temple sits on 166.5 acres of land and includes several ponds, an extensive vegetable garden, and numerous structures, including the Grand Buddha Hall, the Guan Yin Hall, the 500 Arhat Hall, the Seven Storied Jade Pagoda, the Earth Spirit Bodhisattva Hall, a three-unit temple dedicated to the spirits of the land, and an obelisk marking the burial site of members of the Ying family.

 

Website: https://en.mahayana.us/

In addition, there is a structure on the property known as the Joy Cottage. This building is essentially a rentable space with five bedrooms, a full kitchen and living area. It looks really nice and was built around 2019. Architecturally, it looks different than most of the other structures on the temple grounds, more Japanese (or perhaps historically Tang Dynasty Chinese?). The rear of the structure contains a Zen garden with stepping stones, a Buddha sculpture, and some landscape features with medium and large types of gravel/stones.

Overall, the grounds of the temple make for a pleasant walk, similar to a stroll garden. However, it should be noted that many of the structures are in need of serious repairs. As a garden, the scenery is beautiful, but plantings need much work. As I have noted elsewhere in this blog, creating a garden (or temple) requires long term upkeep and regular maintenance. Perhaps the temple will benefit from a future benefactor who can financially contribute to the process, ensuring that the temple, and its grounds, continue to provide the joy that comes from visiting retreats and gardens.