GARDEN DILEMMAS? ASK MARY!

What can an '80s murder mystery and the interdependence of trees teach us about kindness and belonging? Discover how Samaritan Inn helps families rebuild their lives and how nature reminds us that everyone deserves a place to grow.

Is a messy autumn garden really a problem? From vitamin-packed leaf confetti to the final lawn-mowing dilemma, relish the beauty of letting nature do some of the work while helping wildlife thrive.

A peaceful autumn walk at Mohican Outdoor Center turns spooky when Jolee encounters Halloween creatures and a masked visitor. Beyond the laughter, Catfish Pond offers tender memories and a reminder that nature helps us find joy when life feels a little scary.

Why is my sugar maple dropping leaves before autumn color arrives? An unusually dry spring followed by a wet summer offers lessons in tree stress, harmless lichen, leaf mold—and the remarkable resilience of trees.

To weed or not to weed knotweed? A day in a client's garden leads to a deeper look at persistent pulling, herbicide treatment, property concerns—and what this notorious invasive can teach us.

What do a peach-stealing squirrel, jelly-like gummosis, and old wounds have in common? A not-so-peachy garden dilemma offers lessons about tree health, resilience, and what may be happening beneath the surface.

A neglected vegetable garden, leftover seeds, and a disappointing spring harvest reveal unexpected possibilities for fall planting—and a reminder that it’s not too late to begin again.

Mile-a-minute and Japanese stilt grass have taken hold in parts of my woodland, while heavy rains unexpectedly cleared the duckweed from my pond. Amid the weeds, ferns, an old stone wall, and Blackberry Lilies offer a reminder: We aren't meant to tend everything at once.

What if doing nothing is actually one of the most important things we can do? A modest vegetable harvest, one perfect cherry tomato, birdwatching, and peaceful moments in the garden remind Mary Stone that slowing down often reveals life's greatest gifts.