Garden Dilemmas, Delights & Discoveries, Ask Mary Stone, New Jersey Garden blog
a silver dog bowl below a rain gutter filling with snowmelt

Harvesting Rainwater & Snowmelt Wisdom

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green, Many of us long for greenery, especially in winter. So much so that roughly 66 percent of American households have indoor plants. Not only are they beautiful, but they also improve air quality and provide joy and serenity, supporting our menta
Read More
White pine branches layered in winter window box with holly and pinecones

Late-Fall Tasks into Décor

Hello fellow of all things green, Last week, I shared about the buck rub on Ellie’s memorial holly (link below) and how branches ended up strewn along the base of the tree. While rubbing, deer often chew on lower branches, then paw at the soil and urinate to mark their territory. I sa
Read More
a basket of a late season harvest of peppers, yellow beans and cherry tomatoes.

Lessons from a Late No-Till Garden

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. I harvested the last of my vegetables from the garden—late by most standards. But tucked into that final harvest were unexpected reminders of the resilience of a No-Till garden and the quiet wisdom that arrives when we let Nature lead. Ripenin
Read More
large brown ring shaped patch on lawn with a dachshund dog in the center

The Phenomenon of Fairy Rings

Craig has had two rings that have made recurring visits to his lawn over the past few years in the same place. Each one is about ten feet wide and spaced five feet apart. He and Caroline live in front of a farm field and thought pesticides used over the years could be causing the myst
Read More
A lime green Mile-a-minute-weed-leaf is almost a perfect triangle

Mile-a-Minute Remedies – Native Butterfly Plants

Hello fellow lovers of all things green, Mile-a-Minute Weed is running rampant, and now is the time to address it before the berries ripen. While at the eye doctor the other day, Pat at the front desk described her overwhelming mile-a-minute dilemma, reminding me of a client long ago
Read More
a great blue heron flying out of a pond - the wig span looking like a kite.

The Tiny Wonder of Duckweed

Hello, lovers of all things green. Speaking of green, I often wondered what the lovely green growth that covers the pond in mid to late summer was. It turns out to be a Duckweed, a tiny wonder.
Read More
a row of daffodil foliage tied into pigtails

Tidying Daffodil Foliage

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. At last, I had some time in my garden. Not much time, but any time brings such joy. Though true, I get overwhelmed at how many things need addressing. Then came a quick fix to the overwhelming feeling—tidying daffodil foliage. As much as I lov
Read More
spongy moth larvae feeding on leaves

Spongy Moths Vs. Tent Caterpillars

Spongy Moths look similar to Eastern Tent Caterpillars and Fall Webworms but can kill trees. Learn about the differences and safe remedies.
Read More
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
Read More
a deck brush cleaning a natural stone patio wiht moss and plants in the joints.

Cleaning Stone Patios & Walks

Hello, Fellow Lovers of All Things Green, The recent rains turned the stone patio into an ice-skating rink. I adore the moss between the joints, but the presence of moss often goes hand in hand with mildew, which is slippery when wet. Indeed, it’s time to clean the stones. But h
Read More