Garden Dilemmas, Delights & Discoveries, Ask Mary Stone, New Jersey Garden blog
a closeup of a peeper on foliage

Planting Following Nature

Hello fellow readers, Have you ever heard when the peepers are peeping, it’s time to plant peas? Or when dandelions bloom, it’s a cue to dig in potatoes? It’s called phenology –observing animal migrations and when certain insects, amphibians, and hibernating animals
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snowy farm field with lambs in a light snow

March Folklore of Hope

Hello fellow readers, This morning, Curt recited the familiar folklore that March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. Then I reversed it as my mom always did.”In like a lamb out like a lion.” He had never heard it that way. In like a lion out like a lamb Upon researc
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Wade, Grant, and Blaire around the kitchen table making dog treats.

Helping Rivers Edge Horse Rescue

Hello fellow readers, Sometimes, when you hear a story of kindness, it needs to be shared, especially when it involves children helping an organization in dire need of funds. Wade, Blaire, and Grant, of Stillwater, NJ, took it upon themselves to fundraise for Rivers Edge Horse Rescue
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a black and white dog in a snowbank with a tennis ball in shadow

History of Groudhog Day

Hello fellow readers, As I write, the snow is falling and is likely to continue well into Groundhog Day. They say if the groundhog sees his shadow, they’ll be six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t, it will be an early spring. With all this snow, it may be six weeks before we see the
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a mysterious unaddressed Christmas Card opened up on a wooden table with a red cardinal decoration

Mysterious Christmas Card

Hello fellow readers, May I share a story of the mysterious Christmas card that landed in our mailbox with messages addressed to all. The unaddressed envelope has a lovely illustration of a male and female cardinal. Red cardinals, the males, are often featured in Christmas decorations
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closeup of a large yellow sunflower bloom

Lessons from Woman with Flower

Hello fellow readers, While searching my stash of questions and garden of life tidbits, I came across an influential poem by Naomi Long Madgett titled Woman with Flower that I first heard over a handful of years ago. Most that review Naomi’s poem believe it pertains to a mother-
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a snowman with a blue CZC tag around his neck with the name Mark Frosty

What’s in Store? Lessons from Frosty

Hello fellow readers, It’s coming up on nine years of our weekly chats. Hard to imagine! One of the annual topics is what’s in store for winter in the garden of life. From weather folklore to the go-to almanacs and weather authorities, none seem to agree this year, much li
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Benefits of Dragonflies

Hello Fellow Readers, You’ll enjoy the story of a dragonfly visiting an extraordinary memorial tree and what they symbolize. Plus, the benefits of dragonflies and their mysterious life cycle… I partook in a happy email exchange from the caretaker of Myles memorial tree. It
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two woman opening a wood and screen cage with monarch butterflies

Hospice Butterfly Release

Hello Fellow Readers, What a privilege to participate in a Butterfly Release Celebration hosted by Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice. It’s their 20th year of the celebration and the 40th year of serving our community. Previously they’ve held the event live in the counties they ser
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Pale pink peony flower wiht yellow center

History & Meaning of Mother’s Day

Hello Fellow Readers,  A friend’s mom passed away recently. Eleanor, a grand 98, lived an exceptionally long life. Still, losing a mom is heartbreaking. When Barbara called to share the news, she said how close it is to Mother’s Day. We always celebrate our Moms, I assured
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