An entertaining exchange about the possible Causes of an Abundance of Acorns Dropping Early leads to Lessons in Letting Go.

Nearby Oak trees were defoliated by Spongy Moths, formerly called Gypsy Moths, and could be the cause. We chat about the origin of Spongy Moths and the reasons for the name change.

Thank you for tuning in.

Related Stories & Helpful Links:

Early Acorn Drop – Lessons of Letting Go – Blog Post

Native Plants, especially Oaks, are Essential -Blog Post

Ep 35. Leaf Therapy, Essential Oaks

NPR's article Insect Experts Will Change The Name Of The 'Gypsy Moth' and 'Gypsy Ant' (July 2021)

Ep 96. Mending Fences with Forsythia – the saga of Susan's neighbor mentioned in the intro.

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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

A long-standing client considered using Roundup to tend to the weeds in his patio and walkway. Instead, I shared Safe Alternatives to Harmful Weed Killers.

In this episode, I share bits of our 15-year history of working together, including reflections on Andrew's youngest daughter helping to tickle the roots of perennials on planting day. Jessica, now 22, will join her siblings to attend their father's wedding. Knowing all he did to raise his children in their family home warms my heart.

Life is a journey of hardships followed by joys if we trust and allow things to unfold while living in gratitude, even during tough times.

Related Stories & Helpful Links:

Safe Alternatives to Harmful Weed Killers – Blog Post

Holy Moly Rose Remedies – Blog Post

Ep 163. Holy Moly Rose Remedies

Glyphosate Report by Bayer Jul 1, 2024

New York Times article about Monsanto / Bayer Roundup Lawsuit Settlements by Maureen Farrell (Dec. 6, 2023)

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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

I recently designed a low-maintenance garden. Around it, we planted a pollinator-friendly lawn alternative: a combination of No-Mow Lawn and Micro-clover Seed Mix and No-Mow Flowering Lawn Seed Mix from American Meadows.

The clients adored it, but town authorities insisted they mow it. Hopefully, they will change their mind when they learn the benefits of a clover lawn that pollinators love.

Thank you for tuning in.

Related Stories & Helpful Links:

Clover Lawn Alternative - Blog Post

Ep 82. Gift of Pawpaw Trees – mentioned in the intro

What's a Pawpaw Tree? Blog Post

Planting Pawpaw Seeds Blog Post

Link to American Meadows

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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, we share a visit to the Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morristown, NJ, which came with an extraordinary surprise—the arrival of the Gift of a Giant Umbrella Pine. The story includes insights from those involved in the arrival: Bruce Crawford, Kristen Prommel, Mark Adelle, and Lori Jenssen. Plus, a tour of other treasures in the Conifer Collection.

We wrap up reflecting on a special onlooker, a two-year-old boy who teaches us no matter our age, if we encounter unexpected things, watch and marvel, because wonder is the beginning of wisdom. I hope you enjoy the story.

Thank you for tuning in.

Related Stories & Helpful Links:

Gentle Strength of Umbrella Pine – Blog Post

Ep 87. Gentle Strength of Umbrella Pine

Lessons from Braiding Sweetgrass. – Blog Post

Ep 165. Lessons from Braiding Sweetgrass

Wonders of Willowwood Arboretum – Blog Post

Ep 161. Wonders of Willowwood with Bruce Crawford

For more about Frelinghuysen Arboretum

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

We start the episode revisiting the creation myths of Native Americans naming North America as "Turtle Island." Turtles are welcome guests in the garden; Box turtles eat up to 10,000 slugs a season and other pests, including grubs.

We wrap up by sharing Natural Slug Remedies beyond inviting a turtle into your garden. Some will surely bring a chuckle. I hope you enjoy the story.

Thanks so much for tuning in.

Related Stories & Helpful Links:

Revisiting Turtle Island

Natural Slug Remedies

Saving Snapping Turtles Lifts Spirits – Blog Post

Ep 129. Saving Snapping Turtles Lifts Spirits

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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, we start with an update on the Song Sparrow meets Robin, thanks to Blaine Rothauser, an expert on all things in nature, leading to Lessons from Braiding Sweetgrass.

Sweetgrass, Hierochloe (meaning "holy grass") odorata (meaning "fragrant"), is a grass native to North America and is included in Native American rituals and healing. In the exquisite book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, sweetgrass is a metaphor for respecting and having gratitude for our Earth and the interconnection of all living things.

Thanks so much for tuning in.

Related Stories & Helpful Links:

Lessons from Braiding Sweetgrass – Blog Post

Episode 123, Keeping Lighting Pollinator Friendly – with Blaine Rothauser

Keeping Lighting Pollinator-Friendly – Blog Post

Cornell Labs All About Birds

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants

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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

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

When the light begins to break, songbirds sing their happy calls of gratitude that Morning has Broken, reminding us of the lyrics to the song Cat Stevens made famous.

American Robins are among the first birds to lay eggs in the spring and, therefore, are considered a symbol of renewal and new beginnings. In this episode I share how the sadness of baby robins that didn't survive turned into a happy story of a successful Song Sparrow nest passing the nesting spot off to the Robin Family.

I hope you enjoy the story.

Related Stories & Helpful Links:

Song Sparrow meets Robin – Blog Post

Ep16. One World, Robins of Renewal

One World / Memorial Day – Blog Post

Doublefile Viburnum Angels – Blog Post

Robins of Renewal in the Garden – Blog Post

Cat Stevens' - Morning has Broken lyrics

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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. 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

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

Thankfully, there are resistant rose varieties, such as Knockout Roses and John Cabot Roses we discussed in Ep. 162. But even with that, dilemmas can arise. In this episode, we discuss unsightly rose dilemmas requiring Holy Moly Rose Remedies to treat insect and fungal damage safely.

Then, we wrap up with an analogy of how plant dilemmas parallel health dilemmas we endure as humans. By nurturing nature, we can improve our health and our dear earth.

I hope you enjoy the story.

Related Stories & Helpful Links:

Holy Moly Rose Remedies

Aphids on Roses

Japanese Beetle Time

The Irresistible John Cabot Rose- Blog Post

Ep 162. The Irresistible John Cabot Rose

Link to the American Rose Society

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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. 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

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