Garden Dilemmas, Delights & Discoveries Mary Stone

An entertaining exchange about the possible Causes of an Abundance of Acorns Dropping Early leads to Lessons in Letting Go.Nearby Oak trees were defoliated by Spongy Moths, formerly called Gypsy Moths, and could be the cause. We chat about the origin of Spongy Moths and the reasons for the name change. Thank you for tuning in.Related Stories & Helpful Links:Early Acorn Drop – Lessons of Letting Go – Blog Post Native Plants, especially Oaks, are Essential -Blog Post Ep 35. ...

A long-standing client considered using Roundup to tend to the weeds in his patio and walkway. Instead, I shared Safe Alternatives to Harmful Weed Killers.In this episode, I share bits of our 15-year history of working together, including reflections on Andrew's youngest daughter helping to tickle the roots of perennials on planting day. Jessica, now 22, will join her siblings to attend their father's wedding. Knowing all he did to raise his children in their family home warms my heart. ...

I recently designed a low-maintenance garden. Around it, we planted a pollinator-friendly lawn alternative: a combination of No-Mow Lawn and Micro-clover Seed Mix and No-Mow Flowering Lawn Seed Mix from American Meadows. The clients adored it, but town authorities insisted they mow it. Hopefully, they will change their mind when they learn the benefits of a clover lawn that pollinators love. Thank you for tuning in. Related Stories & Helpful Links:Clover Lawn Alternative -&...

In this episode, we share a visit to the Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morristown, NJ, which came with an extraordinary surprise—the arrival of the Gift of a Giant Umbrella Pine. The story includes insights from those involved in the arrival: Bruce Crawford, Kristen Prommel, Mark Adelle, and Lori Jenssen. Plus, a tour of other treasures in the Conifer Collection. We wrap up reflecting on a special onlooker, a two-year-old boy who teaches us no matter our age, if we encounter unexpected thi...

We start the episode revisiting the creation myths of Native Americans naming North America as "Turtle Island." Turtles are welcome guests in the garden; Box turtles eat up to 10,000 slugs a season and other pests, including grubs.We wrap up by sharing Natural Slug Remedies beyond inviting a turtle into your garden. Some will surely bring a chuckle. I hope you enjoy the story. Thanks so much for tuning in.Related Stories & Helpful Links:Revisiting Turtle Island Natural Slug Reme...

In this episode, we start with an update on the Song Sparrow meets Robin, thanks to Blaine Rothauser, an expert on all things in nature, leading to Lessons from Braiding Sweetgrass. Sweetgrass, Hierochloe (meaning "holy grass") odorata (meaning "fragrant"), is a grass native to North America and is included in Native American rituals and healing. In the exquisite book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, sweetgrass is a metaphor for respecting and having gratitude for our Earth an...