Garden Dilemmas, Delights & Discoveries

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. 

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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.  

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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...

Mary Stone discusses how Violets and Pansies bring joy to our gardens and pots in the cool seasons of Spring and Fall. She revisits bits of Vicki Johnson's story, shared in Episode 202, of how pansies grown by her mother, a Swiss giant pansy in particular, inspired her to start gardening. 

Mary explains the differences between Pansies and Common Blue Violets from the Viola genus, as well as how and where to plant them. She clar...

Mary Stone shares a heartwarming story from her dear friend Vicki Johnson, a garden writer and photographer, about her gardening start, which grew into a passion and career. It stemmed from her mother's love for gardening, which blossomed in her late-season of life, and the special delivery of pansies. Vicki's story includes the how-to of traditional pansy-growing methods.

Mary concludes by encouraging listeners...

Mary Stone discusses the beauty of early spring, the sunny faces of daffodils and their significance, and the roots of a family tradition of gathering cuttings from the family plot. Mary describes the benefits and the how-to of dividing perennials in early spring. 

She answers a listener's question about daffodil bulbs planted late and creating an instant garden of Easter leftovers. Mary ends by reflecting on personal growth an...

Mary Stone celebrates the 200th episode of the podcast, reflecting on the journey and the lessons gained from nature and gardens and thanking listeners for their help and kind support. She chats about her hopes to expand her reach, perhaps on YouTube, without being attached to outcomes. Like seeds, allow things to grow naturally and accept them for what they become, as we should accept each other in this Garden of Life.

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Mary Stone shares the delight of Wood Frogs arriving in her pond and singing their mating calls. Previously, Bullfrogs and Spring Peepers were the only frog residences. Mary highlights the role of frogs and toads in pest control and as indicators of environmental health. She recalls her Frog Watch USA training, a simple way listeners can help count species in their neck of the woods to help save our wetlands. 

She wraps up...

Mary Stone discusses early spring garden tasks, such as rejuvenating shrubs and removing dead wood. She describes the process of rejuvenating shrubs and the protocols for pruning lavender and concludes with wisdom gained from the rhythms of nature.

Spring is a perfect time to clean our homes, gardens, and gardens of life, including improving our collective outlook, as reflected in Langston Hughes's poem, The Dream Ke...

Mary Stone shares her design colleague and dear friend Marty Carson’s favorite summer flowering bulbs to plant in spring, adding a few other hardy deer-resistant corms to the list. A discussion on using bone meal while planting bulbs as a squirrel deterrent leads to Koleen’s saga of a typo in a description of corn she ordered from a seed catalog, which turned into a humorous squirrel dilemma. 

Mary concludes by sharing her...

Mary Stone discusses the how-tos of encouraging early indoor spring blooms that go beyond her go-to of Forsythia. She shares a story by her friend Vicki Johnson, a garden writer and photographer, who colorfully describes an assortment of Spring Flowering Woody Plants to enjoy. The episode concludes by suggesting we grow hope by spreading kindness and love amidst the feelings of uncertainty in our world. 

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Mary Stone shares the history and environmental impact of peat mining by Hyper-Humus Inc., learned while attending an outing hosted by the Paulinskill Rivershed Watchers and the Food Shed Alliance in New Jersey.

The Nature Conservancy and New Jersey Fish and Wildlife have received approval to restore the stream's natural sinuosity to improve water quality. Mary encourages using alternatives to peat moss in gardening to support ...

Mary Stone discusses the impact of road salt on plants and the environment, highlighting the damaging effects of chloride ions on dehydrating plants and aquatic life. 

Mary reviews beet juice, pickle, and cheese brine alternatives municipalities are testing, along with non-toxic home remedies to use instead of salt. Plus, ways to help by volunteering in your community activities to reduce salt use by sharing examples of ho...

Mary Stone discusses Myths and Truths about Roots that extend well beyond the tree and shrub branches. She also explains how to protect roots by not parking on them, which compacts soil and can kill a tree. She reviews the functions of Transport and Feeder Roots and how to safeguard the Root Plate, which stabilizes trees and shrubs. 

Mary wraps up by sharing a personal story about generational loneliness and loss, encouraging listen...