Garden Dilemmas, Delights & Discoveries, Ask Mary Stone, New Jersey Garden blog

Worm Composting Part 1

Hello fellow readers, Yay! John from Belvidere asked about worm composting -what fun! The process is called vermicomposting. It takes very little space, and there’s little or no odor. Best of all, a couple of pounds of worms can make nutrient-rich compost out of your trash in ab
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a closeup of rhododendron with leathery dark green leaves and flower buds.

Last of the Season Chores

Hello fellow readers, As requested, here’s some last of the season gardening to-dos. Protect your outside pots. Most concrete, glazed or terracotta pots, with or without plants, will crack if left out in the winter; with the exception of the high-priced ones made to withstand freezing
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Wilt Pruf

In the Northeast, late fall is the time to bring out the big guns to prevent transpiration – the loss of water from plant parts, mainly leaves. Deeply water plants before the grounds freeze, and continue to water during winter months when above freezing if Mother Nature doesn’t
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Composting, Composting Leaves, Leaf Mold, Garden Dilemmas Ask Mary Stone, garden tips, gardening blog

Opening up a Can of Worms

Hello fellow readers, I think I’ve opened a can of worms; about composting that is. We’ve talked about using leaves in our gardens but Jennifer of Hackettstown shared that hers never seem to break down. If you shred your leaves and add extra nitrogen, they’ll compost more quickl
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Composting Leaves, Leaf Mold, using fallen leaves in the garden, Garden Dilemmas Ask Mary Stone, garden tips, gardening tips

Vitamin Packed Leaf Confetti

Hello fellow readers, Last week’s chat about how leaves change color inspired several to ask what to do once they litter the ground. First, consider them as free vitamin supplements, not litter, as they are packed with nutrients that trees absorb from our good earth. John from H
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Seiryu Japanese Maple ,Acer palmatum 'Seiryu', Garden Dilemmas, Ask Mary Stone, Gardening tips, Garden Blogs

Why leaves change color 101

Hello, fellow readers, I’ll bet Bridget of Forks Township is not the only one who wants to know what influences the glorious colors of fall. We all know it has to do with cooler temperatures and shorter days, but why do some trees turn red while others stay orange and yellow? Du
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Hickory Tussock caterpillars , Lophocampa caryae, Garden Dilemmas Ask Mary Stone, Garden Tips

Cute Creepy Crawlers

Hello Fellow Readers, Seems we’re crowded with cute creepy crawlers, caterpillars that is. I have an affinity for the woollybear caterpillars because of the folklore about winter predictions; the wider the brown middle band, the milder the winter, so it is said. In fact I love photogr
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The Empress

Hello Fellow Readers, I visited William and Sarah of Bangor and admired a tree that I had never seen. They called it a Paulownia Tree (pronounced Pa-loan-i-a); Paulownia tomentosa is the Botanical name and is native to China. It’s also known as Princess or Empress Tree and I can see w
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Garden Dilemmas Ask Mary Stone, Bulb choices to extend the bloom, Garden Tips

Extend the Bloom Bulb Choices

Hello Fellow Readers, Stephanie from Denville NJ wrote ‘I’m so excited! I ordered a bunch of daffodil bulbs but it looks like they won’t ship until late October.’ That’s right Stephanie, you don’t want to plant bulbs too early as it can lead to fungus or disease problems. Ideall
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Echinacea-seeds-on-stone-patio

Fall Hunting & Gathering

Hello Fellow Readers, A few weeks ago we spoke about fall tasks and one is to take advantage of the great season to plant. What should he plant asked Harry from Hardwick. By and large anything that’s available and fits into your landscape plan and cultural environment – wi
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