Garden Dilemmas, Delights & Discoveries, Ask Mary Stone, New Jersey Garden blog
red rose shrub in front of golden dry grasses along Virginia Beach

Thanksgiving Gardens along Virginia Beach

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. As I write, I am overlooking the ocean, enjoying a respite before heading to my sister’s home near Richmond. It’s a treat to spend cherished time with family on Thanksgiving, and I hope you will, too. To my delight, the Thanksgivin
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a collection of a late season harvest of ten, six-inch zucchinis and six green peppers on a countertop.

An Honorable Harvest

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green, Our warm weather anomaly quickly turned into the first hard frost, inspiring the last of the fall harvest. An honorable harvest. A grateful harvest of the gifts from the garden of life. Having had only one zucchini this growing season, despite
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Virginia Beach Sunrise with a silhouette of Mary Stone and her golden retriever Miss Ellie Mae.

Pushing Hands of Peace

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green, Previously, I shared coming upon an arrowhead in Cape May and the importance of leaving artifacts where they are, including the sculptures and books depicting American history. Indeed, while there are shameful times, we can learn and grow from
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Fall-leaf-in-hand

Overview of the Lesson of the Leaf

Hello, fellow lover of all things green. In the spirit of completing my book, I plan to share bits of it going forward. It’s our book, really, as the column and your questions over the last thirteen years have contributed significantly to the mission, and I am so grateful. To fo
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Heart-shaped leaf with droplets of dew

Remember Learn Grow and Love

Hello, fellow lover of all things green, As you may know there’s a podcast version of our weekly chats from the screen porch. Last week, I recorded the episode on 9-11 (link below). The sky was bright blue and the air crisp— much like that day our world changed. The anniversary
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Mary Stone, Garden Dilemmas, Ask Mary Stone,Gardening tips, Garden Blogs, Stone Associates Landscape Design, Garden Blog, Cicada

Cicadas Sing Back to School

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. In recent weeks, while recording the podcast, I’ve apologetically mentioned the ruckus of cicadas in the trees. The sounds remind me of a cicada encounter during a garden installation and a reminiscence of how the late summer sounds of c
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a little girl in a blue sundress and pigtails holding hands with her mom.

Fistfuls of Pinecones Bring Happiness

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. Last week, we spoke about Early Acorn Drop – Lessons of Letting Go. Acorns aren’t the only thing that seems to be dropping early. During a walk on Sunday on the Paulinskill Rail Trail, I meandered further and landed at our local airport.
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Early Acorn Drop – Lessons of Letting Go

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green, An entertaining exchange about the probable causes of an abundance of acorns dropping early leads to lessons in letting go, thanks to Chris from Blairstown, NJ, who asked if I ever saw acorns fall this early. “Our trees in the back start
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a large truck with a spaded holding the giant umbrella pine as a mother and young boy watch.

The Gift of a Giant Umbrella Pine

Hello, lovers of all things green. Our public gardens are a sure way to get a garden and nature “fix” with no cost of admission. Bruce Crawford, Morris County Park Commission’s Manager of Horticulture, invited me to tour the Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morristown, NJ.
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a brown box turtle walking in grass

Revisiting Turtle Island

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green; I came across two snapping turtles swimming near shore at Catfish Pond in Blairstown, NJ. Turtles have always fascinated me, but more so since my soulful twin brother passed away. Bill felt a strong connection to turtles, marveling over their
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