Swindler's Cove

These are some  images from Swindlers's Cove, a beautiful gem of a garden in northern Manhattan.  I was lucky enough to be an Assistant Gardener here for a season in 2011.  The garden was conceived, designed, installed and is maintained by The New York Restoration Project, which renovates and maintains gardens in underserved  neighborhoods in New York City.  NYRP was conceived of and established by Bette Midler.

ML Farm Energy Report

Tuesday September 19, 2017

Cornerstone Studios
121 MacDougal Street #19
New York, NY 10012

Attn:  ML

RE:  Report for energy work for Greenwich Property (Soliphilia Farm)

Project Mission:  (composed by Jill Emerson, revised in morning group discussion 9.18.17) To improve the balance of Soliphilia Farm for the Earth, the owner and all inhabitants, seen and unseen.  To remove any blocks to prosperity that threaten the ownership of Soliphilia Farm and its lands by ML.  The Farm and its lands support ML financially and give her equity.

(Additional intent:  Bring more fun and love to Soliphilia Farm.)

The overall energy of the Farm was, prior to any work being done by Jill Emerson, quite high – 8.5 out of a possible ten.  This indicated the farm was ready to move forward.  Some energy blocks existed, however, and their details and amelioration thereof are as noted below:

                1.  The three energy processes below are generally utilized to remove darkened, stagnant energies of the past.  The energies involved are primarily human.
                                a.  Energy Cleansing (performed by Jill Emerson remotely):  This process removes accumulated energies of human thoughts and emotions from the land and sends them gently and respectfully along the path to the next step in their evolutionary journey.  It was during this process that a pink stain was spotted in the southeast corner of the property.  Pink or red typically denote animal deaths, and it was discovered that a large group of animals perished simultaneously in that area due to a fire.  They apparently ran from another part of the property to escape the fire, only to be trapped by a steep cliff, or possibly another area of flames.  (Kay had indicated in working with ML that this very area was a good place to do remedial energy work.)
                                b.  Battle Energy Release (performed by Jill Emerson remotely):  Battle energy covers the entire planet, if the word ‘battle’ is expanded to include animals being pursued by predators, vicious arguments, or divorces.  If we include these definitions, we see that there is most likely not an inch of this Earth that is free from these energies.  Soliphilia has hosted no less than:  a murder; three people being killed in a French and Indian War skirmish; and a foreclosure.  In this process, Jill Emerson showed up as a representative for humanity and worked co-creatively with the Nature Spirits to lift the burden of these energies from the soil, water, trees and plants of the Farm.
                                c.  Essences Process:  The entire northeast United States was clear-cut three times, and Soliphilia got its share  of this trauma in being clear-cut twice.  The bewildering effect this would have on the local biospheres is incalculable, really staggering.  The flower essences were used on-site to balance out and heal this trauma.

                2.  Mental self of ML:  In mentioning the indication that this process was needed to ML, she immediately knew what this referred to:  Multi-generational poverty consciousness.  ML has been actively working with this issue for some time, and a White Brotherhood Medical Assistance Process coning was opened in order to give general support to ML, but also to change a subconscious thought pattern through an affirmation given by the Nature Spirits:  I am open to releasing the Farm (three repetitions needed).

                3.  Two more energy processes were needed under the heading ‘environmental’ (meaning the atmosphere, in broadest sense of that word, on the physical, emotional, mental or spiritual levels of the Farm):
                                a.  Meeting/brainstorming – the group handled this with brilliance and love, a wonderful experience to be part of, teasing out possible meanings and solutions regarding the current state of the Farm.
                                b.  Organizing, reorganizing, or relocating – when this was mentioned to ML she knew exactly what it referred to, which is the location of the housing.  A spot almost exactly in the center of the farm is higher above the water level of the river (in case of flooding), quieter, more private, has more of a view and has much more serene energy.  It’s also nestled amidst the heart of the fields.  After viewing the area I agreed with ML that this is a far more satisfactory location for any houses. Even on a symbolic level, the current location of the living quarters means that the rest of the Farm is ‘all uphill from here’ – not a pleasant metaphor.  (ML, it just occurred to me, perhaps you could quickly assemble a symbolic ‘house’ out of sticks there to ground this process, some time when you need to retreat a bit or meditate.)  I can see a future for the land and Farm in which additional worker housing may be needed, or perhaps the B & B can take over both houses lower on the land.

And last but not least, the mandala.  This was created with the intent to balance and heal the experience of the animals fleeing from, and then perishing in, fire.  As such it was assembled in an area some of them had been grazing in when the fire appeared.  Using animal food materials found at the site was deeply moving, and grounded our intent to the land in a way nothing else could.  The location Nature wished us to use could not possibly have been more clearly indicated.  The three reindeer moss patches, in my mind, echoed the three of us there in support of ML, and the yellow feather found already sticking out of the ground, well, I’ve never seen a more dramatic exclamation point, and pointer saying “Right here”!!  I will never forget the experience of bringing ourselves, our intent, materials, love, silence, and bountiful wishes together in one heartfelt ritual.  Ending with a silent enactment/dancing of “I, Sacred Human” was pure glee.  I agree with Eeo that we summoned the cleansing rain, which led us to our bonus – wild apples.  So very rich.

I feel we accomplished a lot in a mere 24 hours or so.  It’s also great been a pleasure to work with you on this beautiful land and Farm, and I know we have left the place better than we found it.  Best wishes, our hearts will be with you.

Submitted Respect and Love,
Jill Emerson

Perennial Vegetables Hearty to Zone 5

Perennial Plants for Your Vegetable Garden:  Hearty to Zone 5

I’ve been thinking lately that gardening can be much more efficient, easier, and more fun than we currently experience it.  The graying hair on the heads of many of my gardening friends says to me that we have to emphasize efficiency, as we wish to participate in this calming, zen activity for as long as possible.  These thoughts led me to explore perennial vegetables.

American garden and agricultural practices reflect their European roots.  Perennial plants were rare in Europe when our ancestors left there, and the American settlers were resistant to learning new agricultural lore from the Native Americans.  In fact, growing systems utilized here at the time of their arrival quite possibly did not even register as agriculture, and the immense dark forests were frightening to settlers raised on lands that had been cultivated for generations.  They arrived with the grains, legumes and annual vegetables that were their staples back home – plus the livestock needed to break up the soil for planting these each year.

As our understanding of no-till soil fertility increases, as well as our appreciation of permaculture, which emphasizes efficiency, we begin to embrace perennial plants.  The labor savings of perennials is their premier virtue, but there are additional benefits.

1.        You plant it once and reap the benefits for many years:  Any gardener with shovel or hoe in hand is preparing for hard, sweaty work.  Who wants to maximize this activity?

2.       Love that low maintenance:  Perennial roots can go deeper into soil, thereby requiring less watering, and come up earlier in the season, beating out annual weeds.

3.       Extended harvest means more food, more seasons:  Many perennial plants put out tender clusters of leaves in the fall as they prepare to expand their territory or feed next season’s underground bulbs.  Their leaves sprout earliest in the spring as well.

4.       No-till systems benefit soil fertility: Leaving the soil’s crumb structure intact ensures healthier soil and plants, as well as avoiding the tragedy of earthworms cut in half.

5.       A more lush beauty can be found in the heartier growth of perennials than in most of the smaller annuals.

6.       Landscaping with these plants can save valuable vegetable garden space:  A border of daylilies along a front porch is lovely, as well as a source of food.  Some deer resistant perennials can thrive in shade, woods, streams, or wild areas adjacent to a lawn, saving valuable garden bed space for annuals. 

7.       Permaculture benefits include multiple foods from one plant:  Short-lived annuals’ brief lives typically limit their edible contributions to a single type of leaf, bulb, flower or fruit.  Some heartier perennials can be managed to create a permaculture plant - a plant bearing three or more foods in the same growing season.

8.       Perennial plants condition the soil around their roots:  Mycelia, bacteria and minerals are drawn by plant roots as needed, and a perennial plant doesn’t have to start from scratch every year.  More of its vitality can be devoted to its edible gifts.

There can be drawbacks.  More planting space may be needed for situations in which the most of the plant is harvested, for example, ramps.  Planting two years worth of ramps is the only way to let half of the patch regenerate for an entire season after some or all its leaves have been harvested.  Some pruning or thinning, even removing of aggressive perennials may be needed on occasion, as well.  Additionally, some perennials require remaining undisturbed, not harvested, their first growing season, only producing the desired foods the second year.

Perennial Vegetables Hearty to Zone 5:
Asparagus (second-year plant) :  Left to their own  devices during the first growing season, second-year plants will reward you with hearty spears for many seasons.

Comfrey, symphytum x uplandica (http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/June08/wisewoman.htm) Although the large leaves of this valuable plant need to be cooked prior to eating, they are a powerhouse of nutrients for humans and plants.  Chop some fresh leaves fine and soak prior to filtering into your watering can, and you will give all other plants in your garden a free potassium boost.  Or put them with some water in a blender and pour into a bucket of water for the same nutrient-dense effect. 

Daylilies, Hemerocallis fulva or the yellow H. lilioasphodelus (only these two) (http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/how-to-sustainably-harvest-daylilies-zbcz1307),  (deer resistant):  Thriving on sun and neglect, these permaculture plants provide edible spring shoots, flower buds that are prepared like green beans, and edible flowers and fall tubers.  As aggressive as they are hearty, they’re best used in an area outside of the vegetable garden, or in an area around which one can mow.

Garden Rhubarb (Rheum x cultorum or Rheum x hybridum)(second-year plant, deer resistant):  Beneficial as a pioneer plant, meaning it will grow in poor soils while improving them, rhubarb is also a great ground cover.  The large leaves will shade out weeds while funneling available water to its roots.  Another plant best left undisturbed the first year.  The flower heads are edible as well as the stems.

Garlic (http://www.onestrawrevolution.net/One_Straw_Revolution/Article_Garlic_Plant_Once.html )(deer-resistant): There are many varieties of garlic, some producing delicious harvestable scapes and some not.  Smaller bulbs left in the soil at harvest’s end will become next year’s mature garlic.

Garlic chives, allium tuberosum (deer-resistant): These hearty wonders can be eaten as a salad green, cooked, or dried.

Good King Henry, chenopodium bonus-henricus (http://tcpermaculture.blogspot.com/2012/02/permaculture-plants-good-king-henry.html) (second-year plant):  This is a true permaculture plant.  Good King Henry is in the same family as spinach, so its leaves are used in much the same way.  Its shoots are eaten like asparagus, flower buds like broccoli, and the seeds are an edible grain. Add its ability to grow in some shade, and this is a prince among plants.  Allow the first growing season to establish vitality prior to harvesting leaves the second year.

Groundnut, Apios Americana:  A plant utilized by the Native Americans, this vine boasts subtle purple flowers and edible tubers. A few tubers left in the ground at the end of the season will ensure next season’s growth.  A great addition placed near a trellis or nearby shrub, vines take advantage of vertical space at the edge of a garden or bed.

Jerusalem Artichoke, Helianthus tuberosus, strain Stampede (second-year plant):  These sunny wonders are very invasive, and should be grown in their own bed, one that can be mown around, in containers on a porch or in a patch of wild space at the perimeter of a lawn.  Tubers are a good potato alternative - great for pollinators, too.

Lovage, Levisticum officinale:  This hearty perennial is a great celery substitute, with leaves and stems more powerfully flavored than the supermarket staple.  Only a single plant is needed, as it can reach six feet in height, which may make it perfect for the back of a vegetable or flower bed.  Tolerates partial shade.

Ostrich Fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris:  A shade-happy camper, the fiddleheads from these highly ornamental greens are a delicacy in early spring.

Ramps , Allium tricoccum (deer-resistant):  Both tubers and leaves are edible from this shade lover.  Ramps can be naturalized under trees to save garden space.  Harvest only leaves, and only half of them, in order to ensure plants survive from season to season.

Scarlet Runner Beans, Phaseolus coccineus:  A permaculture hero:  young leaves, tubers and beans (beans both as green beans and dried) are gifts of this plant.

Sea Kale, Crambe maritime: This favorite is usually grown as an ornamental, and its pretty sea-foam or pink leaves are a nice contrast to most vegetables.

Sorrel, Rumex acetosa:  Fresh fall leaves feed new bulbs that will grow around the parent plant, so allow for some expansion space when planting.  Tolerates partial shade.

Walking Onions, Allium cepa var. Viviparum (deer-resistant):  Tiny onions are produced at the top of the stems.  This plant can be aggressive, so consider giving it its own bed. 

Watercress, Nasturtium officinale:  Grow from seed in running water, or toss a harvested bunch with roots intact into a small stream or riverbed for years of effort-free greens.  Permaculture traits include edible spring shoots, mature leaves, and edible seeds.  Growing along moving water saves garden beds for other favorites.
Wild Arugula, Diplotaxis tenuifolia (deer resistant):  This peppery cousin of the supermarket arugula is actually a self-seeding biennial, which means it still only has to be planted once if some plants are allowed to go to seed.  Mulching the woody stem over the winter will ensure years of delicious, crisp greens.

Jill Emerson
October, 2017