Garden Dilemmas, Delights & Discoveries Mary Stone

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
 Admiration for Ants & Safe Remedies -Blog Post 
Ep 121. Admiration for Ants & Safe Remedies
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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. Thanks so much for tuning in.
 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

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

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
 
Leaf Mold – Better than Mulch– Blog Post
 
Ep 05. NY Botanical Garden, Fall Leaf Confetti
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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. Thanks so much for tuning in.
 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

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 Companion Plants – Blog Post
 
Ep 28. Three Sisters, No-Till Gardening 
Three Sisters Gardening & Jolee’s Emergency – Blog Post
 
Ep16. One World, Robins of Renewal 
One World / Memorial Day and  Robins of Renewal in the Garden – Blog Posts
 
Ep 01. About Marigolds, About Mary Stone 
The Legend of Marigolds – Blog Post 
 
Helpful Links:  
 
The Old Farmer’s Almanac link to Planting, Growing, and Caring for Nasturtium Flowers
And Companion Planting Guide for Vegetables.
 
Better Homes & Gardens article on How to Plant and Grow Sweet Alyssum
 
 
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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. Thanks so much for tuning in.
 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

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 Post
Great-Horned Owl meets Hawk -Blog Post
 Ep.116 - Great Horned Owl meets Hawk

                                                                                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. Thanks so much for tuning in.
 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

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 of self-awareness and perhaps shame for offenses and imperfections. May we learn from history rather than erase or ignore it so that we continue to become better than we used to be.
Related Stories and Helpful Links:  
Jefferson's Monticello Lab for Plants – Blog Post
 Castor Bean Plants Hide Uglies – Blog Post 
Episode 29 Aphid Invasion - Beneficial Ladybugs
Beneficial Ladybugs – Blog Post
 Reasons to Prune – Blog Post
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 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. Thanks so much for tuning in.
 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

The episode starts with a fun little ditty about Bumbershoots (umbrellas) and a chat about Spacing Plants to avoid having to prune them. Plus, the reasons to prune are similar to those for caring for ourselves and our families. 
We discuss Smokebush, with its splendid features (and cautions), and other shrubs you can rejuvenate-prune in spring.
Then wrap up with inspiration on revitalizing and restoring ourselves. I hope you enjoy the story.
Related Stories and Helpful Links:  
 
Reasons to Prune – Blog Post
 
Rejuvenation Pruning & Smokebush – Blog Post
 
Ep 106. Rejuvenation Pruning Lifts Hearts, including mine, as I joined a lifelong friend and her grown sons to rejuvenate overgrown shrubs and renew their gardens.

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 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. Thanks so much for tuning in.
 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