Mary Stone shares her experience participating in a moth survey with Blaine Rothauser of GZA Geoenvironmental, Inc., and Dennis Briede, whose mountain meadow is at the base of the Kittatinny Mountains in Blairstown, New Jersey. Using metal halide and ultraviolet lights to attract moths, they recorded 80 species by 11:15 PM. Blaine emphasizes the importance of moths as ecological indicators. Mary highlights the Bird Poop Moth's camouflage and the Rosy Maple Moth's charm, amongst other re...

Mary Stone shares the Remedies for Mile-a-Minute Weed and how an inundation of the invader turned into a garden filled with Native Deer-resistant Butterfly Plants. Thanks for tuning in. Related Podcasts and Posts You'll Enjoy: Mile-a-Minute Remedies – Native Butterfly Plants - Blog Post Ep 215. The Tiny Wonder of Duckweed The Tiny Wonder of Duckweed - Blog Post Ep.214. Nature Sounds from My Porch Camp Nature Sounds from My Porch Camp - A blog post featuring...

After last week's episode about Nature Sounds from My Porch Camp, Mary Stone describes photos received from Blaine Rothauser. One, a Green Frog peeking through a patch of Duckweed, the smallest flowering plant. She shares the wonders of the unusual tiny aquatic plant, its benefits to wildlife and humans, and its rapid growth. Plus, what to do if it covers your pond. Thank you for tuning in! Related Podcasts and Posts You'll Enjoy: The Tiny Wonder of Duckweed - Blog Post to c...

Mary Stone shares the sights and sounds of an overnight camp on her screen porch, including a Green Frog Chorus, two Great Horned Owls, waving Tulip Trees, and a visiting Great Blue Heron. Thanks for tuning in! Related Podcasts and Posts You'll Enjoy: Nature Sounds from My Screen Porch - A blog post featuring Blaine Rothauser's stunning photos. Ep 176. Revisiting Cicadas and How Gardens Glow Cicadas Sing Back to School -Blog Post Ep 116. Great Horned Owl meets Hawk Great-H...

Mary Stone interviews Carol Decker, a renowned wildlife artist. Carol shares her self-taught art journey, emphasizing thankfulness for her gift and success. Her 80 paintings graced the covers of New Jersey Outdoor magazine, propelling her career. Carol shares a remarkable story of how one of the original paintings came back into her possession. The conversation highlights the importance of living in gratitude and love, embracing the wisdom of nature. Thanks for tuning in! Related ...

Mary Stone shares a humorous story about a neighbor's beaver and woodchuck dilemmas, the differences between the two, and their respective remedies. She then addresses the issue of invasive barberry, suggesting alternatives, emphasizing the importance of native plants, and striking a balance with ornamental plants. Mary wraps up with a reflection on the Fourth of July, encouraging listeners to relish and not take for granted our freedom or the magnificence of nature. And to do our part ...

Mary Stone shares a story based mainly on truth that takes place in two historic estates built by a French architect in Northwest New Jersey, owned by elderly and eccentric weekenders from Princeton. She adds a mystery to the story, themed around the New York Times bestseller, "The Hidden Life of Trees" by Peter Wohlleben. Thank you for tuning in! Related Posts and Podcasts You'll Enjoy: Ep 88. Insights from the Interdependence of Trees Insights and Interdependence of Trees ...

Mary Stone discusses the impact of insects and diseases on native trees, such as the Emerald Ash Borer, Spongy Moths, and Beech Leaf Disease. She shares the recommendations of Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station to underplant declining beech trees with other native trees, adding a similar strategy for lawn trees. Then shares Dennis Briede’s story of the Wolf Tree, a grand White Ash tree on the official New Jersey Big Tree and Heritage Tree Registry, and the labor of love ...

In this episode, Mary Stone describes a labyrinth in Frenchy's Field along the Santa Fe River, April Fisher of the Sussex County NJ Native Plant Society shared. And tidbits about Prairie Dogs prevalent there. She then discusses the importance of allowing Daffodil Foliage to fade to ensure future blooms—and stylish ways of tidying daffodil foliage while allowing it to go dormant. Related Posts, Podcasts, and Helpful Links: Ep 207. Labyrinths Provide Paths of Healing Labyrint...

Mary Stone answers a question about whether Spongy Moths, formerly called Gypsy Moths, make tents in trees. Not so, though the larvae look similar to Eastern Tent Caterpillars and Fall Webworms. Spongy Moths can completely defoliate and kill trees. Mary shares safe remedies for the creepy crawlies. Then, she recounts her brother Rick's hilarious experience with Tent Caterpillars and the identification of another culprit in his rose dilemma—a Scarlet and Green Leafhopper! Related Podcast...

Mary Stone shares her journey to find a labyrinth at the Johnsonburg Camp and Retreat Center, which recently hosted Comfort Zone Camp, a grief camp for young adults for whom she volunteers. She describes the labyrinth's location and design and the serene experience of walking through it, including up-righting a rustic cross that had toppled. Mary explains the historical and spiritual significance of labyrinths and their therapeutic benefits. And ways to build a labyrinth and plant ideas to ad...

After sharing a snap pea dilemma, Mary Stone reviews the significance of soil temperature for sowing vegetable seeds, tools, and DIY techniques to check soil temperature. She features the benefits of No-Till gardening to improve soil and plant health. Then, she discusses the practice of following nature, called Phenology, and Planting by the Moon. Mary wraps up with a personal story about planting seeds from a lunar gardening book her mother owned, noting that some seeds sprouted ...

Mary Stone delves into the beauty of water droplets called the Lotus Effect on plants such as Lady's Mantle and Nasturtium, and insects such as butterflies and dragonflies. She reflects on Lady's Mantle's folklore, its benefits in the garden, and how Nasturtiums protect vegetable gardens from pests. Mary encourages listeners to embrace and learn from the cycles of life and nature that bring joy and lighten the heaviness in our world. Related Podcasts and Posts: Benefits and Folklo...

Mary Stone discusses how and when to divide iris to improve plant health and increase blooms. She shares the history of her gifted iris and other plants and inspires listeners to share stories about plants they were given and the special people who shared them by emailing her at AskMaryStone@gmail.com. Related Podcasts and Posts: Ep 201. Dividing Perennials and Sharing Growth Dividing and Sharing Perennials - Blog Post Ep 47. Personal Growth with Houseplants Personal Growth with Housepl...

Mary Stone discusses how Violets and Pansies bring joy to our gardens and pots in the cool seasons of Spring and Fall. She revisits bits of Vicki Johnson's story, shared in Episode 202, of how pansies grown by her mother, a Swiss giant pansy in particular, inspired her to start gardening. Mary explains the differences between Pansies and Common Blue Violets from the Viola genus, as well as how and where to plant them. She clarifies the differences between short-lived perennials, biennia...

Mary Stone shares a heartwarming story from her dear friend Vicki Johnson, a garden writer and photographer, about her gardening start, which grew into a passion and career. It stemmed from her mother's love for gardening, which blossomed in her late-season of life, and the special delivery of pansies. Vicki's story includes the how-to of traditional pansy-growing methods. Mary concludes by encouraging listeners to share their gardening stories and reflect on the beauty and miracles of natu...

Mary Stone discusses the beauty of early spring, the sunny faces of daffodils and their significance, and the roots of a family tradition of gathering cuttings from the family plot. Mary describes the benefits and the how-to of dividing perennials in early spring. She answers a listener's question about daffodil bulbs planted late and creating an instant garden of Easter leftovers. She ends by reflecting on personal growth and the importance of community and nature. Links to Related Posts a...

Mary Stone celebrates the 200th episode of our podcast, reflecting on the journey and the lessons gained from nature and gardens and thanking listeners for their help and kind support. She chats about her hopes to expand her reach, perhaps on YouTube, without being attached to outcomes. Like seeds, allow things to grow naturally and accept them for what they become, as we should accept each other in this Garden of Life. Related Episodes, Posts, and Helpful Links: Wood Frogs Sing for Spring - ...

Mary Stone shares the delight of Wood Frogs arriving in her pond and singing their mating calls. Previously, Bullfrogs and Spring Peepers were the only frog residences. Mary highlights the role of frogs and toads in pest control and as indicators of environmental health. She recalls her Frog Watch USA training, a simple way listeners can help count species in their neck of the woods to help save our wetlands. She wraps ups with a personal story about interning her friend Gene Martin's ...

Mary Stone discusses early spring garden tasks, such as rejuvenating shrubs and removing dead wood. She describes the process of rejuvenating shrubs and the protocols for pruning lavender and concludes with wisdom gained from the rhythms of nature. Spring is a perfect time to clean our homes, gardens, and gardens of life, including improving our collective outlook, as reflected in Langston Hughes's poem, The Dream Keeper. Thanks for tuning in! Related Podcasts you'll enjoy: Companion Blog...