Garden Dilemmas, Delights & Discoveries
Society & Culture
About
Join columnist and garden designer Mary Stone in sharing Dilemmas, Delights, & Discoveries in the Garden of Life.
Episodes
- Ep 252 - Edible vs. Ornamental Rhubarb — Kindness Helps Heal
This week, from the screen porch, Mary Stone shares reflections on edible versus ornamental rhubarb—both unusual, delightful, and deer-resistant additions to the garden. She also shares stories of rhubarb custard pie, overwintered parsley,…
- Ep 251 - A Changing Gardens Teaches What Belongs
What a Changing Garden Teaches - Finding What Belongs Sometimes what we see as a problem is simply a message. While visiting a longtime client in Sparta, New Jersey, Mary Stone reflects on shifting conditions in our landscapes—from struggl…
- Ep 250 - Weeping Cherry Dilemmas: Trees Tell a Story
A weeping cherry tree begins to “bleed,” revealing what lies beneath—from soil stress to planting missteps. Plus, seed-starting tips and a reflection on where we’re truly meant to grow. In this episode, I share what gummosis can tell us ab…
- Ep 249 - Living Mulch: Layering with Native Plants
Replacing mulch with living layers that nourish soil, support wildlife, and gently teach us patience. What if you could stop mulching—and let plants do the work instead? In this episode, we explore “living mulch” with native groundcovers a…
- Ep 248 - Healing After Winter: In the Garden—and in Life
After a harsh winter, Mary Stone reflects on healing in the garden and in life—sharing spring pruning tips, plant care insights, and a humorous tale of “hotdog flies”—all woven with a gentle reminder to slow down, notice beauty, and make r…
- Ep 247 - Nothing Is Wasted: Leaf Mold, Mulch & Letting Go
As spring unfolds, I find myself reflecting on what remains, what falls away, and what—over time—returns to nourish us again. In this episode, I share a walk in the woods that took an unexpected turn, along with listeners’ questions about…
- Ep 246 - Early Spring Tending: What to Keep, What to Clear
Sometimes tending isn’t about removing—it’s about redistributing, restoring, and making space for what’s ready to grow. As winter loosens its grip, early spring invites us to tend —clearing what’s too heavy, redistributing what can nourish…
- Ep 245 - What the Roadside Reveals: Lesson of Belief
A roadside walk becomes a lesson in tending what doesn’t belong—and trusting what quietly blooms. From plogging to snowdrops, this episode explores how small actions and nature’s signs guide us back to hope, healing, and the “lesson of bel…
- Ep 244 - A Late Winter Walk to Remember
Some walks stay with us long after they end. A quiet rainy walk through the late-winter woods becomes a meditation on healing, hope, and nature’s wisdom . On a misty morning, Mary Stone and her faithful companion, Jolee, head into the fore…
- Ep 243 - Native vs. Invasive: Who Decides?
What does “native” really mean — and who decides? In this episode of Garden Dilemmas , Mary Stone explores native vs. invasive plants , urban gardens, biodiversity, and ecosystem balance. From dandelions to the marmorated stink bug, this e…
- Ep 242 - Inviting Beneficial Garden Guests
Do hard winters curb garden pests? A listener’s question about whether cold weather reduces “bad bugs” leads to a deeper conversation about beneficial insects, biological control, and sustainable pest management. In this episode, Mary Ston…
- Ep 241 - Reflections in the Garden of Life
On a slowly thawing winter day, Mary Stone reflects on the relationship between shadows and reflections —in nature, in garden design, and in the tender landscape of the heart. From Jolee's curious moment at the storm door to the science of…
- Ep 240 - Nature’s Shadows, Outlines of Love
In winter’s long light, shadows reveal more than darkness —they outline memory, love, and quiet hope. Mary reflects on Groundhog Day, Peter Pan’s lost shadow, Jung’s shadow self, and the beauty of moonlit snow, weaving garden wisdom with p…
- Ep 239 - What Yellow Leaves Teach Us
What Yellow Leaves Teach Us Tending houseplants—and hearts—through seasons of change. Yellow leaves on a fiddle-leaf fig often point to watering issues—but they can also offer deeper lessons. In this episode, Mary Stone explores common hou…
- Ep 238 - Hope Takes the Form of a Tree
In this episode, Mary Stone reflects on the quiet wisdom of trees after receiving the New Jersey Tree Survey from the Arbor Day Foundation. She explores how trees support mental and emotional well-being, the realities behind tree-planting…
- Ep 237 - Roofs to Roots: Reviving Houseplants
Mary Stone discusses the benefits of using rainwater and snowmelt for indoor plants and how to revive houseplants in duress. She explores the quiet wisdom of water through stories of Christmas cacti, Jolee's water bowl, and flowing streams…
- Ep 236 - What We Release, What We Grow
Mary Stone reflects on releasing what no longer serves us and setting intentions that grow in their own time, inspired by nature's rhythms and a New Year water ceremony hosted by Rev. Dr. Christina Tillotson. Through garden metaphors and p…
- Ep 235. What Nature and Gardens Gifted Us
Mary Stone reflects on lessons learned from a year of observation in the garden and wild places beyond it. From copperheads and moths to healing land and personal change, she explores how slowing down, trusting nature, and paying attention…
- Ep 234. Stillness Teaches Growth Through Nature
Mary Stone reflects on the wisdom of stillness as an essential part of growth. Through nature’s rhythms and garden observations, she explores how healing and transformation often unfold unseen, offering a gentle preview of themes in Part T…
- Ep 233. When the Garden Teaches Letting Go
A winter garden project leads Mary Stone to reflect on invasive plants, memorial trees, and the tender wisdom of knowing when it’s time to let go—both in gardens and in life. This episode is a gentle reminder that healing, like gardening,…
- Ep 232. Late Season Tasks into Décor and Healing
Mary Stone reflects on late-season garden projects , including the removal of old telephone poles and the careful harvesting of boulders for new retaining walls—done with deep respect for the surrounding ecosystem. She shares tips for plan…
- Ep 231. Three Seasons Tribute to Ongoing Growth
Mary Stone reflects on the life and legacy of her dear friend and design colleague, Marty Carson, who recently passed away. She shares memories of their collaboration and the impact of Marty's wisdom and generosity on the gardening communi…
- Ep 230. Lessons from a Late No-Till Garden
In this episode, Mary Stone shares the surprising gifts of her late-season vegetable garden and highlights the benefits of No-Till gardening . She walks through ripening green tomatoes indoors, saving seeds for next year and putting the ga…
- Ep 229. Flocking Together - Wisdom from Grackles
Mary Stone shares a breathtaking encounter with a flock of grackles while visiting the Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice in Fredon, NJ. Their synchronized flight inspires a reflection on the quiet wisdom of nature and the beauty of unity…
- Ep 228. Promises That Live on Beyond Seasons
Mary Stone shares an update on her friend and design colleague, Marty Carson, who is now in hospice care in Florida. At the same time, with a heavy heart, she shares news of the closure of the Karen and Quinlan Home for Hospice in Fredon,…
- Ep 227. Sequence of Fall Leaves Brings New Life
As fall unfolds, trees show us the art of letting go. From green to gold, orange to red, each leaf teaches us that change brings growth and beauty. In this episode, Mary Stone reflects on how nature mirrors our own seasons of transformatio…
- Ep 226. Reader Sagas of Shagbark Hickories
Mary Stone shares the delights and cleanup sagas of Shagbark Hickory trees, highlighting their shaggy bark, edible nuts, and benefits to wildlife. She shares personal experiences and reader anecdotes, such as a client who planted Shagbark…
- Ep 225. Acorns and a Ruckus of Blue Jays
Mary Stone recounts witnessing a bear in her pond overnight, perhaps feeding on acorns. The encounter led her to learn about the Acorn Float Test, which assesses the viability of acorns for propagation. Blue Jays flock to feast on acorns i…
- Ep 224. A Sunflower Maze of Healing
Mary Stone discusses the history, benefits, and healing aspects of sunflowers, sharing her return visit to Liberty Farms' Sunflower Maze in Sandyston. Raj Sinha graciously opens the maze to those who benefit from the services of the Mental…
- Ep 223. The Phenomenon of Fairy Rings
Mary Stone discusses the phenomenon of Fairy Rings, caused by fungi creating dark green or brown circular bands in lawns. Craig from New Jersey shares his hilarious experience with Fairy Rings, initially suspecting contamination from pesti…
- Ep 222. Fascinating Fungi and Wood Wide Web
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 foolp…
- Ep 221. Curious Copperhead Encounters
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…
- Ep 220. Sweet Autumn Clematis Native Alternative
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, V…
- Ep 219. Curiosity about Cardinals Brings Wisdom
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 bein…
- Ep 218. Nature Teaches Endings Bring Beginnings
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 t…
- Ep 217. Moth Surveying in a NJ Mountain Meadow
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 ult…
- Ep 216. Mile-a-Minute Remedies- Native Butterfly Plants
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-Minut…
- Ep 215. The Tiny Wonder of Duckweed
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…
- Ep 214. Nature Sounds from My Porch Camp
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 Y…
- Ep 213. The Gift of Carol Decker's Wildlife Art
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…
- Ep 212. Beavers vs. Woodchucks - Barberry Alternatives
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 th…
- Ep 211. Truth and Tale of Two Country Gardens
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…
- Ep 210. Hope Beyond Declining Native Trees
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, sugges…
- Ep 209. Frenchy's Field and Tidying Daffodil Foliage
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 impo…
- Ep 208. Spongy Moths vs. Tent Caterpillars
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 ki…
- Ep 207. Labyrinths Provide Paths of Healing
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…
- Ep 206. Soil Temperatures and Sowing Seeds
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 p…
- Ep 205. Lotus Effect and Lady's Mantle
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 gard…
- Ep 204. Dividing Iris and Multiplying Gifts
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…
- Ep 203. Violet and Pansy Season of Happiness
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 pan…