Garden Dilemmas, Delights & Discoveries, Ask Mary Stone, New Jersey Garden blog
groundhog in a partially snowy yard

Groundhog Day- Ancient Origin and Accuracy

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. The ancient origin of Groundhog Day dates back thousands of years, and while its success in predicting winter’s end is marginally accurate, it’s a fun tradition that celebrates nature. At about 7:25 a.m. this morning, Punxsutawney
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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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dry seed heads of Black-eyed Susan in snow.

Encouraging Self-Seeding

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. The perennial rock garden is full of dry perennials remaining. It has nothing to do with being lazy or too busy tending to others’ gardens. Leaving seed heads on your dormant perennials over winter will encourage many plants to spread. P
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a seed catalog opened to assorted colors of peppers on a wooden table.

Spring Urges Satisfied by Seed Shopping

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green, “Seems timely,” wrote Anita from Blairstown, NJ, in her email I received with a Rose is Rose cartoon (a syndicated comic strip by Pat Brady) that leads to seed shopping tips to satisfy your Spring urges. It starts with a woman dres
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African Violet with a long neck needing Radical Repotting

Fixing African Violets with Long Stems

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. During the recent deep freeze and high winds, I brought my podcast from the screened porch inside and recorded it while sitting in front of my indoor plants. I noticed that the low humidity of the house has already caused them stress. The reme
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A pot of Frozen in Time African Violets next to a small brass watering can on a windowsill.

Caring for African Violets

Originally published on December 17, 2015, when my dear Mom was in a nursing home.  Hello, fellow readers, “You can’t water their faces,” recalls brother Rick, one of Mom’s instructions on caring for African violets, as water on their leaves can cause spotting
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Benefits and Folklore of Dragonflies

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. Dragonflies are fascinating creatures with an unusual lifecycle and folklore to match. Plus, they benefit our gardens by controlling pests—a perfect unfolding. A few weeks ago, I shared a story about the Preservation of the Paulinskill River a
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A closeup of Paperwhite Flowers in front of a black background

Paperwhites in Water Like to Party

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green, It’s starting already—gardening withdrawals. Margaret of Washington, NJ, asked how to force Paperwhite bulbs, reminding me of a simple winter withdrawal remedy that makes an excellent pick-me-up. It’s as easy as putting the Narciss
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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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a pile of whilte six-foot long tubes along the Paulinskill Rail Trail

Preservation of the Paulinskill River

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. Over the weekend, we stumbled upon a stack of plastic tubing while walking the Paulinskill Rail Trail. I was delighted to see the tubes, as the trees they were protecting looked like they had outgrown them. This inspired revisiting when I firs
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