Garden Dilemmas, Delights & Discoveries Mary Stone

I look forward to sharing a few glorious Wonders of Willowwood Arboretum in Chester Township NJ as shared by Bruce Crawford, Manager of Horticulture of Morris County Park Commission. I especially adore the wisdom gained from the beauty of the old and declining trees. I hope you enjoy the story.Related Stories :Wandering Willowwood Arboretum — blog post Ep 34. Forest Bathing, Willowwood Champion TreesNo Mow May Helps Pollinators – Blog Post Ep 103. No Mow May & Marvelous Mo...

Today's topic hits close to home. Sandy's pine bark nuggets were filled with huge black ants and termites. The close-to-home part is that I was tackling carpenter ants that nested in the screened porch, so Sandy's dilemma was my dilemma, too.In this episode, we share a comical saga about determining the difference between carpenter ants and termites and safe ways to remedy the dilemma. I hope you enjoy the story. Related Stories Carpenter Ants and Termites in Mulch– Blog Post&...

Mushrooms are the fruit of valuable spores that decay organic material and recycle nutrients into the soil, which is good for plants. However, in volumes, they're unsightly in the garden. In this episode, we review the icky fungi that can develop in mulch (you may wish to put down your sandwich while tuning in — Ha!) And, we discuss how to prevent and fix the plethora of Funky Fungi in Mulch. I hope you enjoy the story.Related Stories Fixing Funky Fungi in Mulch– Blog Post&nbs...

This episode discusses Companion Plants for your Vegetable Garden to control pests, encourage beneficial insects and pollinators, and increase yields. We share an overview of Three Sisters Gardening, the origin of companion plantings from Native Americans.We wrap up with a reflection on when the podcast logo switched from Miss Ellie to now Jolee and how life changes like the seasons and endings bring new beginnings. I hope you enjoy the story.Related Stories Making Friends with Comp...

Have you ever considered Broadleaf Plantain, the flat-leaved weed that invades your lawn, a beneficial plant? It is, as are my favorite Dandelions.In this episode, we chat about the benefits of both and I share Koleen Garland's hilarious childhood memory of making dandelion wine sure to entertain. I hope you enjoy the story.Related Stories and Helpful Links: Benefits of Broadleaf Plantain & Dandelion "Weeds" – Blog PostGreat-Horned Owl meets Hawk -Blog Post Ep.116 - Great ...

Thomas Jefferson's birthdate recalls visiting Monticello, considered a Lab for Plants. We chat about the fascinating history of the plantation and Jefferson's Garden Book, which is filled with trials and tribulations. One is his remarkable Castor Bean Plants. We chat about Castor Bean Plants overcoming the concern of toxicity in the garden and how I used them to "Hide Uglies." The episode wraps up with a reflection on Thomas Jefferson's self-written epitaph, which suggests a sense ...