Garden Dilemmas, Delights & Discoveries – Details, episodes & analysis

Mary Stone shares a story about a fig tree in Cape May, NJ, sporting an invitation to help yourself. But a sign saying "Don't be a Fig Pig" reminds her of picking daffodils as a young child and being scolded for it. 

Then recounts the saga of overwintering a fig tree given as a rite of passage after marrying that didn't end well. But it wasn't that she didn't give a fig, leading to the memory of humorous banter with her dear mom about the word "shit."

Mary concludes by encouraging listeners to think about their past, the tears, and the laughter, and while some memories of tough times can be hard to revisit, there are good things, sometimes remarkable things, that grow from them. 

Thank you for tuning in! 

Links to related Episodes and Blog Posts: 

Don't be a Fig Pig– Blog Post 

Ep 180. Overview of The Lesson of the Leaf

Root Pruning and Journey of Growth – Blog Post

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I'd love to hear your garden and nature stories and your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. You can email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com. 

You can Follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone.

Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page

 Thank you for sharing the Garden of Life,

Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer

                                        AskMaryStone.com

More about the Podcast and Column:

Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries.

It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.

Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
Direct Link to Podcast Page

In this episode, Mary Stone shares an overview of her upcoming book, The Lesson of the Leaf: How Nature, Gardens (and Rescue Dogs) Help Heal and Grow Your Life. A journey from loneliness and loss to love and hope, inspired by the wisdom her beloved brother left behind. 

She reflects on the significance of the number 180 (Episode 180), linking 1 - 8 to Infinity with the One and the number zero with new beginnings. 
 
There are 81 chapters in the Tao Te Ching, an ancient philosophy to live our true, peaceful nature in the rhythm of nature inspired the structure of The Lesson of the Leaf with 18 chapters and 81 subchapters, each combining a nature and personal story. 

Mary invites listeners to participate by sharing suggestions or stories with her via email at AskMaryStone@gmail.com. Thanks for tuning in. 

Links to related Episodes and Blog Posts: 

Overview of the Lesson of the Leaf– Blog Post 

Ep 37. Merry Season of Love Over Fear

Ep 20. Unexpected Furry Messenger, Father John's Memorial Garden

          8888

I'd love to hear your garden and nature stories and your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. You can email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com. 

You can Follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone.

Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page

 Thank you for sharing the Garden of Life,

Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer

                                        AskMaryStone.com

More about the Podcast and Column:

Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries.

It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.

Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
Direct Link to Podcast Page

In this episode, I share a charming scene of a young girl gathering pinecones by the fistful outside the Runway Café bringing her and me such happiness. May we all cherish our fists of treasures, living with gratitude for the beautiful gifts in our lives.

We wrap up with an exchange on the side of the road about Cornflowers often mistaken for Bachelor Buttons and the origin of Cornflowers on the original Corning Ware plates. I hope you enjoy the story. 

 Thank you for tuning in. 

 Related Stories & Helpful Links:

The Secret Life of Pinecones – Blog Post

Ep 92. The Secret Life of Pinecones

 Bachelor Buttons vs. Chicory Look-alikes -  Blog Post

Ep 119. Bachelor Buttons vs. Chicory Look-alike

     8888

I'd love to hear your garden and nature stories and your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. You can email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com. 

You can Follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone.

Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page

 Thank you for sharing the Garden of Life,

Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer

                                        AskMaryStone.com

More about the Podcast and Column:

Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries.

It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.

Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
Direct Link to Podcast Page

In this episode, Mary Stone discusses an assortment of spring flowering bulbs to extend the bloom, as shared by my friend and design colleague Marty Carson from Three Seasons. We also discuss speedy ways to plant them. 

Then we wrap up with Phil's Squirrel Dilemma, worthy of a standup comedy act. And how to prevent squirrels from digging up your bulbs. 

Also, a sidenote about Patti Doell's technique at Little Big Farm involves bulb bouncing back to a previous story on No-till Gardening—perhaps coining a new phrase: Low-till Gardening. 

Link to Related Stories:
 
Bulbs to Extend Spring Blooms

Phil's Squirrel Dilemma

Patti Doell of Little Big Farm, a cut flower farm, story on No-Till Gardening

Link to Brent & Becky's Bulb Website

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I'd love to hear about your garden and nature stories. And your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. You can email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com. Thanks so much for tuning in :^)

You can Follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone

Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page

Thank you for sharing the garden of life,

Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer

Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com 

More about the Podcast and Column:

Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries.

It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.

Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
Direct Link to Podcast Page

In this episode, we share Halloween's History and the legends of Sycamore Trees, also known as the Ghosts of the Forest. We talk about the magnificence of Sycamore, one of our largest hardwood trees, and the happy ghosts circling a massive one in Hope Township, NJ.

 We wrap up with creating garden ghosts - my humorous ritual of covering potted gardens with sheets to protect them from frost. This year, I let nature do her thing. There's freedom in that. 

Link to Related Stories:

Halloween History & Sycamore Ghosts

My garden ghost routine - the preamble to Overwintering Potted Gardens

The Legend of Marigolds and the Day of the Dead. 

 ***

I'd love to hear about your garden and nature stories. And your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. You can email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com. Thanks so much for tuning in :^)

You can Follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone

Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page

Thank you for sharing the garden of life,

Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer

Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com 

More about the Podcast and Column:

Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries.

It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.

Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
Direct Link to Podcast Page

Seeing evergreens drop needles often triggers concern. It's kind of like an abundance of hairs in your shower drain. But Fall Needle Drop is normal. 

We wrap up this episode with an analogy of Fall Leaf and Needle Drop and the renewal of the cells in our body and skin. We are always in transition. It's part of what we can count on in this life - change. May we find comfort in the cycles of the seasons. 

 Link to Related Stories:

Fall Needle Drop of Renewal 

Vitamin Packed Leaf Confetti

Leaf Mold – Better than Mulch

 ***

I'd love to hear about your garden and nature stories. And your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. You can email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com. Thanks so much for tuning in :^)

You can Follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone

Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page

Thank you for sharing the garden of life,

Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer

Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com 

More about the Podcast and Column:

Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries.

It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.

Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
Direct Link to Podcast Page

This episode features a special garden visit with Connie Kleindienst and her daughter Susan Meagher, a new neighbor and friend. Susan mentioned her Mom's boxwoods are showing signs of disease. So, I offered to drop by primarily to meet her Mom and witness their mother-daughter connection in the garden.

We chat about symptoms and remedies of the boxwood dilemmas, such as Boxwood Blight, caused by a fungus, and Boxwood Leaf Miner, an insect. But Connie's boxwood dilemma is likely Volutella. Fortunately, Connie's dilemma is early, and the avid gardener at eighty-nine years young will be on top of the remedy to prevent the spread of the fungus.
 
 Then comes the best part of the visit is a delightful tour around the garden filled with treasures.
 
 I'd love to hear about what or who gave you your gardening start. You can email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com.  Thanks so much for tuning in :^)

 
 Link to Related Stories:

Boxwood Dilemmas & Garden Delights 

Boxwood Blight Coming to Town?

Boxwood Leaf Miner 

Native Plants, especially Oaks, are Essential 

The History of 4-H

 ***

Kind listeners, I'd love to hear about your garden and nature stories. And your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. Please email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com. 

You can Follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone

Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page

Thank you for sharing the garden of life,

Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer

Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com 

More about the Podcast and Column:

Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries.

It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.

Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
Direct Link to Podcast Page

My neighbor ate his volleyball – a Giant Puffball Mushroom, that is. I have one, too, that I've been monitoring in amazement, but eating it didn't occur to me. It turns out they are delicious. 

In this episode, we chat about how to prepare Giant Puffball Mushrooms (Calvatia gigantean) and other edible fungi that are easy to ID.

Then we talk about Fairy Rings –circles of fungus that grow outward a few inches to several feet a year. Mushrooms, some edible, can develop outside of the rings after periods of heavy rain. Plus, there's fun folklore about Fairy Rings. 

I'd love to hear about fungi you have found to feast upon. You can email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com.  Thanks so much for tuning in :^)

 Link to Related Stories:

Giant Puffball Mushrooms

Fairy Rings

Another story featuring Craig's garden dilemmas -  Willows Gone Wild

Other helpful links:

Cabin Life.com's The Foolproof Four: Edible Wild Mushrooms

 ***

Kind listeners, I'd love to hear about your garden and nature stories. And your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. Please email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com. 

You can Follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone

Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page

Thank you for sharing the garden of life,

Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer

Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com 

More about the Podcast and Column:

Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries.

It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.

Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
Direct Link to Podcast Page

In this episode, we chat about Dare to be Wild, a movie based on the youngest gold medal winner of the Chelsea Flower Show and Mary Reynolds' love of the land. If we each do our part in nurturing nature in the bit of land we are blessed to live on, we can heal our dear earth—one garden at a time.

We wrap up with my family gathering - a baby shower held at a llama farm. My sister's son and his wife are expecting a child in December. Dot handed me a bin of mom's treasures as we were leaving. Amongst them is a hand-typed document dated 1940 of Christmas Designs from Natural Materials with Conservation Laws courtesy of the Federated Garden Clubs of New York State. Dear old mom gave me my garden start. I'd love to hear who gave you yours. You can email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com.  Thanks so much for tuning in :^)

 Link to Related Stories:

Mary Reynolds and Nurturing Nature

Designing Garden Layers

Forest Bathing 

Other helpful links:

American Horticultural Society's – list of  Native Plant Societies 

North Creek Nurseries links to suggested resources 

 ***

Kind listeners, I'd love to hear about your garden and nature stories. And your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. Please email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com. 

You can Follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone

Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page

Thank you for sharing the garden of life,

Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer

Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com 

More about the Podcast and Column:

Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries.

It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.

Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
Direct Link to Podcast Page

In this episode, we chat about a presentation given by Claudia West, author of Planting in a Post-Wild World, about the importance of layering plant communities and designing garden layers.

"Plant more plants" was music to my ears – you'll see why! 

 Link to Related Stories:

Designing Garden Layers

Native Plants for Native Pollinators

Butterfly Garden of Growth

Native Plants, especially Oaks, are Essential – featuring Doug Talamy's book The Nature of Oaks.

Other helpful links:

American Horticultural Society's – list of  Native Plant Societies 

North Creek Nurseries links to suggested resources 

 ***

Kind listeners, I'd love to hear about your garden and nature stories. And your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. Please email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com. 

You can Follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone

Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page

Thank you for sharing the garden of life,

Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer

Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com 

More about the Podcast and Column:

Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries.

It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.

Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
Direct Link to Podcast Page