Garden Dilemmas, Delights & Discoveries, Ask Mary Stone, New Jersey Garden blog
Blairstown NJ Village Green, Garden Dilemmas Ask Mary Stone

Volunteers tackle Mugwort

Hello fellow readers, I had the privilege of digging in with the North Warren Garden Club who held their monthly meeting in the new park behind Agway in Blairstown next to where the seasonal Farmers’ Market is hosted. You may recall I met with the club almost two years ago to talk abo
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Microstegium vimineum / Japanese Stilt Grass, Garden Dilemmas Ask Mary Stone

Japanese Stilt Grass & Thistle Remedies

Hello fellow readers, Last week we spoke about annoying crabgrass and how to keep it at bay. Unfortunately, there’s more to be crabby about, writes Carol from Blairstown, NJ, who sent a picture of what looks like mini-bamboo, which she’s trying to wipe out to allow her pac
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a green and rust colored Japanese Beetle on a green leaf

A Jiffy Jar of Japanese Beetles

Hello fellow readers, I saw the first of the season, as did Tom of Mt. Bethel, who asked if he should hang the Japanese beetle traps you find at the hardware store. The subject opens up a can of worms, or should I say grubs? Studies have shown that these pheromone lures attract many m
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readying gardens and pots for vacation, Mary Stone Garden Dilemmas, garden Blog

Readying for Vacation

Hello fellow readers, I am flattered how many of you introduced yourselves at last week 4th of July festivities. It goes to show the energy of our local paper and the sense of community it promotes.  I am grateful to The Press and to all of you for engaging in our chat. Well the heat
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Stop Garden Volcanoes Mary Stone Garden Dilemmas

Proper Planting & Mulching

Hello fellow readers, One hundred columns ago, we began out garden chat. It’s far more than about digging in the dirt. Gardens relate to all that grows in this garden of life. So for column 101, it seems fitting to reflect on our very first topic; Proper Planting & Mulching.
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Vertical Gardening Part 2

Hello fellow readers, Several of you like the idea of standing tall while picking vegetables and are intrigued by the decorative possibilities of vertical gardens. Ted from Allamuchy uses a cattle panel arched in half so he can walk under it and secures each corner with T-posts – Wall
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Vertical Veggie Gardening

Hello fellow readers, Oh, goodie! Garden catalogs are here to tease our fancy and tickle our toes. Not sure what toes have to do with it, but it sounds exciting. And it is! John from Hope asked whether to grow veggies in those newfangled vertical garden “systems” and bags.
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