Garden Dilemmas, Delights & Discoveries

Mary Stone discusses the fascinating world of fungi, particularly Giant Puffball Mushrooms and Jack o' Lantern Mushrooms. She emphasizes the importance of proper identification for those who scavenge for wild mushrooms and shares the foolproof four suggested by Cabinlife.com. 

Additionally, Mary explains the concept of the Wood Wide Web, detailing the differences between mycorrhizal fungi and mycelium. 

Then concludes by reflect...

Mary Stone discusses her experiences with snakes, particularly Copperheads, in her garden and how their hourglass-shaped markings blend into the environment. While venomous, they aren't as dangerous as rumored,  and while they benefit us by controlling pests, she shares ways to discourage them from hunkering down in your garden. 

The episode concludes with other wildlife encounters that instill fear, followed by excitement and ...

Mary Stone describes the beauty and fragrance of Sweet Autumn Clematis, despite its invasive tendencies, suggesting that pruning seed heads before they dry will prevent self-seeding. She introduces an alternative native plant look-alike, Virgin's Bower, clematis virginiana. Though nonfragrant, it's a lure to pollinators. Plus, Mary lists lovely native shrubs to shade the roots of clematis. 

She wraps up sharing her recent ...

As a sequel to the last episode, Mary Stone updates the progress of a late-season cardinal nest that she thought was taken by a predator. Later, she learns that the fledglings are likely on the ground, honing their flying skills while being tended by their parents. 

She concludes with a reflection based on a plaque passed down by her mother: "Wonder is the Beginning of Wisdom," encouraging listeners to cultivate acceptance...

Mary Stone reflects on how birthdays encourage us to pause and reflect, change, and maybe plant new seeds. She shares the outcomes of her book proposal to Hay House Publishing, which, although initially disappointing, inspires other ways to share The Lesson of the Leaf. She concludes with a heartwarming story about the restoration of a Welcome Home Clematis and a surprise late nesting of cardinals, teaching how endings give way to ...

Mary Stone shares participating in a moth survey with Blaine Rothauser of GZA Geoenvironmental, Inc., and Dennis Briede, whose mountain meadow is at the base of the Kittatinny Mountains in Blairstown, New Jersey. 

Using metal halide and ultraviolet lights to attract moths, they recorded 80 species by 11:15 PM. Blaine emphasizes the importance of moths as indicators of ecological health. Mary highlights the Bird Poop Moth's camo...

Mary Stone shares the Remedies for Mile-a-Minute Weed and how an inundation of the invader turned into a garden filled with Native Deer-resistant Butterfly Plants. 

Thanks for tuning in. 

Related Podcasts and Posts You'll Enjoy: 

Mile-a-Minute Remedies – Native Butterfly Plants - Blog Post 

Ep 215. The Tiny Wonder of Duckweed  

The Tiny Wonder of Duckweed - Blog Post

Ep.214. Nature Sounds from My Porch Camp

Nature Sounds from My Porc...

After last week's episode, Mary Stone describes the photo of a Green Frog peeking through a patch of Duckweed, the smallest flowering plant. Blaine Rothauser sent it. She shares the wonders of the unusual, tiny aquatic plant, its benefits to wildlife and humans, and its rapid growth. Plus, what to do if it covers your pond. 

Thank you for tuning in! 

Related Podcasts and Posts You'll Enjoy: 

The Tiny Wonder of Duckweed - Blo...

Mary Stone shares the sights and sounds of an overnight camp on her screen porch, including a Green Frog Chorus, two Great Horned Owls, waving Tulip Trees, and a visiting Great Blue Heron.  

Thanks for tuning in!  

Related Podcasts and Posts You'll Enjoy: 

Nature Sounds from My Porch Camp- A blog post featuring Blaine Rothauser's stunning photos.

Ep 176. Revisiting Cicadas and How Gardens Glow

Cicadas Sing Back to School -Blog...

Mary Stone interviews Carol Decker, a renowned wildlife artist. Carol shares her self-taught art journey, emphasizing thankfulness for her gift and success. Her 80 paintings graced the covers of New Jersey Outdoor magazine, propelling her career. Carol shares a remarkable story of how one of the original paintings came back into her possession. The conversation highlights the importance of living in gratitude and love, embracing th...

Mary Stone shares a humorous story about a neighbor's beaver and woodchuck dilemmas, the differences between the two, and their respective remedies. She then addresses the issue of invasive barberry, suggesting alternatives, emphasizing the importance of native plants, and striking a balance with ornamental plants. 

Mary wraps up with a reflection on the Fourth of July, encouraging listeners to relish and not take for granted o...

Mary Stone shares a story based mainly on truth that takes place in two historic estates built by a French architect in Northwest New Jersey, owned by elderly and eccentric weekenders from Princeton. She adds a mystery to the story, themed around the New York Times bestseller, "The Hidden Life of Trees" by Peter Wohlleben. 

Thank you for tuning in!  

Related Posts and Podcasts You'll Enjoy:

Ep 88. Insights from the Inte...

Mary Stone discusses the impact of insects and diseases on native trees, such as the Emerald Ash Borer, Spongy Moths, and Beech Leaf Disease. Mary shares the recommendations of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, suggesting that underplanting declining beech trees with other native trees is a viable option. She proposes a similar strategy for lawn trees. 

Then shares Dennis Briede's story of the Wolfe Tree, ...

In this episode, Mary Stone describes a labyrinth in Frenchy's Field along the Santa Fe River that April Fisher of the Sussex County NJ Native Plant Society shared and tidbits about Prairie Dogs prevalent there. 

She then discusses the importance of allowing Daffodil Foliage to fade to ensure future blooms—and stylish ways of tidying daffodil foliage while allowing it to go dormant.  

Related Posts, Podcasts, and Helpful Links:

T...

Mary Stone answers a question about whether Spongy Moths, formerly called Gypsy Moths, make tents in trees. Not so, though the larvae look similar to Eastern Tent Caterpillars and Fall Webworms. Spongy Moths can completely defoliate and kill trees. Mary shares safe remedies for the creepy crawlies. 

Then, she recounts her brother Rick's hilarious experience with Tent Caterpillars and the identification of another culprit in his...

Mary Stone shares her journey to find a labyrinth at the Johnsonburg Camp and Retreat Center, which recently hosted Comfort Zone Camp, a grief camp for young adults for whom she volunteers. She describes the labyrinth's location and design and the serene experience of walking through it, including up-righting a rustic cross that had toppled.

Mary explains the historical and spiritual significance of labyrinths and their therape...

After sharing a snap pea dilemma, Mary Stone reviews the significance of soil temperature for sowing vegetable seeds, tools, and DIY techniques to check soil temperature. 

She features the benefits of No-Till gardening to improve soil and plant health. Then, she discusses the practice of following nature, called Phenology, and Planting by the Moon. 

Mary wraps up with a personal story about planting seeds from a lunar gardening book ...

Mary Stone delves into the beauty of water droplets called the Lotus Effect on plants such as Lady's Mantle and Nasturtium, and insects such as butterflies and dragonflies. She reflects on Lady's Mantle's folklore, its benefits in the garden, and how Nasturtiums protect vegetable gardens from pests. Mary encourages listeners to embrace and learn from the cycles of life and nature that bring joy and lighten the heavin...

Mary Stone discusses how and when to divide iris to improve plant health and increase blooms. She also shares the history of her gifted iris and other plants, some of which are not her favorites.

Mary suggests native alternatives to Stella Dora Daylilies and Bearded Iris but accepts gifted ornamental plants if they are not invasive or harmful to the environment and encourages folks to aim to have 80% native plants in their gardens.

S...