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

Then shares Dennis Briede’s story of the Wolf Tree, a grand White Ash tree on the official New Jersey Big Tree and Heritage Tree Registry, and the labor of love to save it. Mary concludes by encouraging listeners to be kind, generous, and caring for the natural world and each other, starting in their own backyards.

Related Posts, Podcasts, and Helpful Links:

Ep 45. Beloved Mr. Beech / Beloved Beech Trees - Blog Post

Ep 61. A Story of Treasured Tuliptrees / Treasured Tuliptrees - Blog Post

Ep 101. Woodcock Dance- Making a Meadow

Woodcock Dance – Making a Meadow - Blog Post

8888

I'd love to hear your garden and nature stories and your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. You can email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com.

You can follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone.
Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page

Thank you for sharing the Garden of Life,
Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer
AskMaryStone.com

More about the Podcast and Column:

Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries.

It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.

Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
Direct Link to Podcast Page

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:

Tidying Daffodil Foliage - Blog Post

Ep 81. Bulbs Extending Blooms & Deterring Squirrels

Bulbs to Extend Spring Blooms - Blog Post

Ep 207. Labyrinths Provide Paths of Healing

Labyrinths Provide Paths of Healing - Blog Post

The Labyrinth Resource Group about Frenchy's Field Labyrinth.

The National Geographic Kids Page about Prarie Dogs

8888

I'd love to hear your garden and nature stories and your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. You can email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com.

You can follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone.
Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page

Thank you for sharing the Garden of Life,
Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer
AskMaryStone.com

More about the Podcast and Column:

Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries.

It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.

Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
Direct Link to Podcast Page

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 rose dilemma—a Scarlet and Green Leafhopper!

Related Podcasts and Blog Posts you'll enjoy:

Spongy Moths Vs. Tent Caterpillars – Blog Post

Rose is a Rose Pest Remedies – features my brother Rick's hilarious dilemma

Fall Webworm vs. Tent Caterpillars - Blog Post

Ep 71. Diehard Campers - Tent Caterpillars and Webworms

8888

I'd love to hear your garden and nature stories and your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. You can email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com.

You can follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone.
Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page

Thank you for sharing the Garden of Life,
Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer
AskMaryStone.com

More about the Podcast and Column:

Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries.

It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.

Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
Direct Link to Podcast Page

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 therapeutic benefits. And ways to build a labyrinth and plant ideas to adorn them.

Thanks for tuning in.

Related Podcasts and Blog Posts you'll enjoy:

Ep 179. A Butterfly Garden of Growth

A Butterfly Garden of Growth - Blog Post

Ep 101. Woodcock Dance-Making a Meadow

Woodcock Dance-Making a Meadow - Blog Post

8888

I'd love to hear your garden and nature stories and your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. You can email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com.

You can follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone.
Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page

Thank you for sharing the Garden of Life,
Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer
AskMaryStone.com

More about the Podcast and Column:

Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries.

It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.

Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
Direct Link to Podcast Page

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 her mother owned, noting that some seeds sprouted despite their age. And invites listeners to share their Garden of Life stories my emailing AskMaryStone@gmail.com.

Thanks for tuning in.

Related Podcasts and Blog Posts you'll enjoy:

When to Sow Vegetable Seeds Outside

Ep 28. Three Sisters, No-Till Gardening

No-Till Gardening and Starting a No-till Garden - Blog Posts

Ep 26. Folklore of Hope - Planting Following Nature

Planting Following Nature and Planting by the Moon - Blog Posts

8888

I'd love to hear your garden and nature stories and your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. You can email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com.

You can follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone.
Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page

Thank you for sharing the Garden of Life,
Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer
AskMaryStone.com

More about the Podcast and Column:

Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries.

It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.

Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
Direct Link to Podcast Page

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 heaviness in our world.

Related Podcasts and Posts:

Benefits and Folklore of Dragonflies - Blog Post

Ep 188. Benefits and Folklore of Dragonflies

Reasons to Prune – features the story of my aphid invasion.

Ep 29. Aphid Invasion, Beneficial Ladybugs

8888

I'd love to hear your garden and nature stories and your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. You can email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com.

You can follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone.
Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page

Thank you for sharing the Garden of Life,
Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer
AskMaryStone.com

More about the Podcast and Column:

Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries.

It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.

Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
Direct Link to Podcast Page

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.

She concludes by inspiring listeners to share stories about plants they were given and the special people who shared them by emailing her at AskMaryStone@gmail.com.

Related Podcasts and Posts:

Dividing Iris and Multiplying Gifts - Blog Post

Ep 201. Dividing Perennials and Sharing Growth

Dividing and Sharing Perennials - Blog Post

Ep 47. Personal Growth with Houseplants

Personal Growth with Houseplants - Blog Post

8888

I'd love to hear your garden and nature stories and your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. You can email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com.

You can follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone.
Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page

Thank you for sharing the Garden of Life,
Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer
AskMaryStone.com

More about the Podcast and Column:

Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries.

It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.

Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
Direct Link to Podcast Page

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 clarifies the differences between short-lived perennials, biennials, annuals, and perennials.

The episode concludes with her reminiscing about her mother's influence on her gardening journey and encouraging listeners to share their own stories about gardens and nature by emailing her at AskMaryStone@gmail.com.

Related Podcasts and Posts:

Ep 202. Pansies Bring Vicki Johnson's Garden Start

Ep 18. Walking & Plalking, Queens & Bachelors

Queen Anne’s Lace Anomaly – Blog Post

Ep 51 Plants for Nooks and Crannies

Favorite Plants Between Steppingstones - Blog Post

8888

I'd love to hear your garden and nature stories and your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. You can email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com.

You can follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone.
Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page

Thank you for sharing the Garden of Life,
Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer
AskMaryStone.com

More about the Podcast and Column:

Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries.

It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.

Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
Direct Link to Podcast Page