Garden Dilemmas, Delights & Discoveries, Ask Mary Stone, New Jersey Garden blog
A side view of Jolee with her ears flat on her head next to Mary Stone.

Nature Teaches Endings Bring Beginnings

Birthdays have a way of encouraging us to pause and reflect, don't they? We may consider changing a few things or planting new seeds. There is such wisdom in nature, teaching us that endings bring beginnings— even unexpected, sad endings and losses— because from them comes new growth.
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a stone edge maze amongst a forest with an upright wooden cross in next to a tree in the center.

Labyrinths Provide Paths of Healing

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. Labyrinths provide paths of healing to help you maneuver through loss and grief, but the contemplation benefits are all-encompassing and beautiful, too. Comfort Zone Camp, in partnership with A Little Hope Foundation I participated in Comfort
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A selfie of Mary Stone smiling and wearing a beige sun hat with a happy sunflower.

A Milestone in Our Journey Together

Hello, fellow lovers of things green. The podcast version of our weekly chats reached a milestone of 200 episodes, which grew from thirteen years of columns in my local newspaper. I’m so thankful for The Weekly Press and all of you who join me online. There’s much to learn
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pink flowers on a branch in front of a white indoor wall.

Encouraging Indoor Spring Blooms

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. Spring soon arrives, and many are anxious for green with a splash of color. My go-to is harvesting branches of forsythia, but you can also bring other spring-flowering woody plants indoors to encourage early spring blooms. How to Encourage Ear
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a covered footbridge in an early morning snowy scene with foot steps, a slivered moon peaking through hemlock trees,

Welcoming Winter Sights and Silence

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. I have an artful ornament given to me by a lifelong friend. The denim-dressed gardener with flowers on her skirt looks like she’s flying, carrying a pole with dangling garden tools. Like a perennial border decorating a backdrop of trees
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Mary Stone in a yellow jacket with Jolee in front of Ellie's memorial holly.

Merry Season of Memories

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. Last week’s surprise snow was lovely to wake up to, inspiring outdoor decorating. While doing so, I thought about Christmas memories and created a new season of memories in the galivant. Miss Ellie had learned to flail her tail by the do
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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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