Garden Dilemmas, Delights & Discoveries, Ask Mary Stone, New Jersey Garden blog
Pickerel frog with rectangular dark spots nestled among fallen brown leaves and green plants beside a stone.

The Beauty of Leaving Things Be

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.
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Rescue dog Jolee stands on an autumn woodland trail facing a hanging ghost and a large green dragon at Mohican Outdoor Center in Blairstown, NJ.

Haunted Trails and the Comfort of Trees

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.
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Jolee sitting behind a large pile of fallen leaves gathered on a tarp in the backyard.

When Autumn Arrives Early—Letting Go and Beginning Again

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.
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Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) with sprays of white flowers

To Weed or Not to Weed Knotweed?

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.
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Amber-colored gum oozing from a wound on a peach tree branch

A Not-So-Peachy Gel Dilemma

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.
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Freshly harvested Red Baron beets with leafy greens and one small carrot.

It’s Not Too Late to Plant Again

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.
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Pulled mile-a-minute weed spread on a sunny driveway beside a garden cart, with Jolee nearby.

Tending What We Can in the Garden of Life

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.
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A modest summer garden harvest with green beans, one cherry tomato, and Malabar spinach leaves.

Doing Nothing and Everything: Wisdom from Nature & Gardens

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.
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Front foundation garden with pink roses, boxwood hedge, and layered landscape plantings.

Beneath the Surface: The Mystery of the Missing Rose Roots

A healthy rose suddenly became loose in the soil, revealing a mystery beneath the mulch. What first appeared to be chipmunk damage led to an unexpected culprit, solutions for protecting treasured plants, and a reminder that gardens—and life—often invite us to look beneath the surface.
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Bitter melon vine growing in a greenhouse, one of several unusual vegetables discovered during a spring greenhouse visit.

Leave Room for Wandering: Unexpected Greenhouse Treasures

Leave room for wandering. What began as a trip to purchase annuals became a treasure hunt filled with unusual vegetables, greenhouse discoveries, practical planting tips, and a reminder that some of life's greatest treasures are found beyond what we originally came looking for.
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