Garden Dilemmas, Delights & Discoveries

Mary Stone
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Join columnist and garden designer Mary Stone in sharing Dilemmas, Delights, & Discoveries in the Garden of Life.

  1. 5D AGO

    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 the mirror test, from still water in gardens to the hidden wisdom in roots shaped by difficult seasons, this episode explores how gentle awareness can transform survival into growth. Thanks for tuning in! Enjoy the Photos on the Companion Blog Post: Reflections in the Garden of Life  Links to Related Podcasts and Posts you'll enjoy: Ep 240. Nature's Shadows, Outlines of Love Nature's Shadows: Outlines of Love & Hope – Blog Post  Link for more about Panache Desai  Videos By Ellen Ebert: Casting Shadows 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

    13 min

  2. FEB 8

    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 personal healing. From plant care to letting go, this episode explores how light and shadow together shape resilience, reminding us that even in sorrow, hope gently walks beside us.  Link to the Companion Blog Post: Nature’s Shadows: Outlines of Love & Hope Thanks for tuning in! Related Podcast you’ll enjoy:  Ep 192 Groundhog Day - Ancient Origin and Accuracy Ep 123 Keeping Lighting Pollinator-Friendly Ep 84 Winter Season of Growth 8888 I'd love to hear your garden and nature stories, as well as your thoughts on 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   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

    13 min

  3. FEB 1

    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 houseplant dilemmas, from root-bound money trees to yellowing leaves and sneaky pests, while sharing a tender personal chapter. Through gardening wisdom and lived experience, she reflects on patience, balance, and how tending plants can help us tend our hearts during times of transition. Thank you for tuning in! Companion Blog Posts:  When Fiddle-Leaf Figs Turn Yellow  and  Making Room for Growth   Related Podcast and Posts you’ll enjoy:  Ep 146 Money Tree-Houseplants in Duress A Money Tree Brings Abundance - Blog Post  Ep 237. Roofs to Roots: Reviving Houseplants Harvesting Rainwater & Snowmelt Wisdom - Blog Post 8888 I'd love to hear your garden and nature stories, as well as your thoughts on 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 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

    14 min

  4. JAN 18

    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 campaigns, and the value of nurturing growth over time.  A flashback to a fallen Eastern Hemlock and a thriving young beech offers a gentle reminder that even after loss, new life emerges. Hope, it turns out, sometimes takes the form of a tree. Thanks for Tuning In! Related Episodes and Posts:  Hope in the Form of a Tree - Blog Post Ep 130. A Pet Painted Turtle, Beech Leaf Disease Worrisome Beech Leaf Disease – Blog Post Ep 45. Beloved Mr. Beech Beloved Beech Trees – 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 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

    12 min

  5. JAN 11

    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, and reflects on patience, renewal, and trusting life's natural flow. Thanks for tuning in! Related Episodes and Posts:  Harvesting Rainwater & Snowmelt Wisdom - Blog Post Ep 89. Wisdom in the Rhythm of Water Wisdom in the Rhythm of Water – Blog Post Houseplants in Duress Turn Happy – Blog Post Benefits of Watering with Rainwater – 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 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

    11 min

  6. JAN 4

    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 personal insights, she reminds us that what we let go of creates space for quiet, lasting growth. Thank you for tuning in!  Link for more about Rev. Dr. Christina Tillotson Link to Companion Blog Post: What We Release, What We Grow Related Podcasts and Blog Posts you'll enjoy: Essential Nutrients for Gardens and Life - Blog Post Episode 141. Essential Nutrients for Gardens and Life Benefits of Gardening - Blog Post Ep 139. Legends of Holly and Christmas Trees  Legend of Holly & Christmas Trees - Blog Post  Live Christmas Trees - Blog 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 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

    12 min

  7. 12/28/2025

    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 to what often goes unseen can lead to growth, understanding, and quiet transformation. Thanks for Tuning In! Link to the Companion Blog Post: What Nature & Gardens Taught Us   🌿 Featured Podcasts and Posts:  Ep 234. Stillness Teaches Growth Through Nature Stillness Teaches Growth Through Nature – Blog    Ep 221. Curious Copperhead Encounters Curious Copperhead Encounters – Blog    Ep 195. Healing from Hyper-Humus Peat Mining Healing from Hyper-Humus Peat Mining - Blog    Ep 217. Moth Surveying in a NJ Mountain Meadow Moth Survey in a Mountain Meadow – Blog    Ep 200 A Milestone in Our Journey Together A Milestone in Our Journey Together - Blog Post    Ep 230. Lessons from a Late No-Till Garden Lessons from a Late No-Till Garden - Blog 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

    12 min

  8. 12/21/2025

    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 Two of her forthcoming book, The Lesson of the Leaf. “Stillness isn’t a pause — it’s where growth quietly begins.” Thanks for Tuning in!  Link to the related posts and podcast:  Stillness Teaches Growth Through Nature -- Blog Post  Overview of The Lesson of the Leaf - Blog Post Episode 180 Overview of the Lesson of the Leaf  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 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

    13 min
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Join columnist and garden designer Mary Stone in sharing Dilemmas, Delights, & Discoveries in the Garden of Life.

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