In this episode, Mary Stone reflects on the quiet wisdom of trees after receiving the New Jersey Tree Survey from the Arbor Day Foundation. She explores how trees support mental and emotional well-being, the realities behind tree-planting campaigns, and the value of nurturing growth over time.

A flashback to a fallen Eastern Hemlock and a thriving young beech offers a gentle reminder that even after loss, new life emerges. Hope, it turns out, sometimes takes the form of a tree.

Thanks for Tuning In!

Related Episodes and Posts:

Ep 130. A Pet Painted Turtle, Beech Leaf Disease

Worrisome Beech Leaf Disease – Blog Post

Ep 45. Beloved Mr. Beech

Beloved Beech Trees – 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

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

Mary Stone discusses the benefits of using rainwater and snowmelt for indoor plants and how to revive houseplants in duress. She explores the quiet wisdom of water through stories of Christmas cacti, Jolee's water bowl, and flowing streams, and reflects on patience, renewal, and trusting life's natural flow.

Thanks for tuning in!

Related Episodes and Posts:

Harvesting Rainwater & Snowmelt Wisdom - Blog Post

Ep 89. Wisdom in the Rhythm of Water

Wisdom in the Rhythm of Water – Blog Post

Houseplants in Duress Turn Happy – Blog Post

Benefits of Watering with Rainwater – 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

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

Mary Stone reflects on releasing what no longer serves us and setting intentions that grow in their own time, inspired by nature's rhythms and a New Year water ceremony hosted by Rev. Dr. Christina Tillotson. Through garden metaphors and personal insights, she reminds us that what we let go of creates space for quiet, lasting growth.

Thank you for tuning in!

Link for more about Rev. Dr. Christina Tillotson

Link to Companion Blog Post: What We Release, What We Grow

Related Podcasts and Blog Posts you'll enjoy:

Essential Nutrients for Gardens and Life - Blog Post

Episode 141. Essential Nutrients for Gardens and Life

Benefits of Gardening - Blog Post

Ep 139. Legends of Holly and Christmas Trees

Legend of Holly & Christmas Trees - Blog Post

Live Christmas Trees - Blog

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

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

Mary Stone reflects on lessons learned from a year of observation in the garden and wild places beyond it. From copperheads and moths to healing land and personal change, she explores how slowing down, trusting nature, and paying attention to what often goes unseen can lead to growth, understanding, and quiet transformation.

Thanks for Tuning In!

Link to the Companion Blog Post: What Nature & Gardens Taught Us

🌿 Featured Podcasts and Posts:

Ep 234. Stillness Teaches Growth Through Nature

Stillness Teaches Growth Through Nature – Blog

Ep 221. Curious Copperhead Encounters

Curious Copperhead Encounters – Blog

Ep 195. Healing from Hyper-Humus Peat Mining

Healing from Hyper-Humus Peat Mining - Blog

Ep 217. Moth Surveying in a NJ Mountain Meadow

Moth Survey in a Mountain Meadow – Blog

Ep 200 A Milestone in Our Journey Together

A Milestone in Our Journey Together - Blog Post

Ep 230. Lessons from a Late No-Till Garden

Lessons from a Late No-Till Garden - Blog

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

Mary Stone reflects on the wisdom of stillness as an essential part of growth. Through nature’s rhythms and garden observations, she explores how healing and transformation often unfold unseen, offering a gentle preview of themes in Part Two of her forthcoming book, The Lesson of the Leaf.

“Stillness isn’t a pause — it’s where growth quietly begins.”

Thanks for Tuning in!

Link to the related posts and podcast:

Stillness Teaches Growth Through Nature -- Blog Post

Overview of The Lesson of the Leaf - Blog Post

Episode 180 Overview of the Lesson of the Leaf

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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

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 winter garden project leads Mary Stone to reflect on invasive plants, memorial trees, and the tender wisdom of knowing when it’s time to let go—both in gardens and in life.

This episode is a gentle reminder that healing, like gardening, is an ongoing practice—rooted in observation, compassion, and trust in nature’s rhythm.

Thanks for Tuning In!

Related Posts and Podcasts you'll Enjoy.

The Garden Teaches Letting Go - Blog

Ep 61. A Story of Treasured Tuliptrees / Treasured Tulip Trees - Blog

Ep 45. Beloved Mr. Beech

Beloved Beech Trees and Worrisome Beech Leaf Disease - Blog Posts

Ep 212. Beavers vs. Woodchucks – Barberry Alternatives

Alternatives to Invasive Barberry - Blog

Ep 68 Gift of Meadows and Mountain Mint /

Gift of Meadows & Mountain Mint - 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

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

Mary Stone reflects on late-season garden projects, including the removal of old telephone poles and the careful harvesting of boulders for new retaining walls—done with deep respect for the surrounding ecosystem. She shares tips for planting perennials with liner plugs, using Stress X to support transplanted shrubs, and managing fallen leaves to benefit both wildlife and soil health.

Weaving garden wisdom with seasonal reflection, Mary Stone shares her tradition of decorating with roadside finds, turning late-fall garden tasks into natural holiday décor while honoring the beauty of gathering gently and respectfully from the land. This episode is a quiet meditation on care, change, and the healing that continues beneath the surface.

Related Podcasts and Posts

Late-Fall Tasks into Décor

Hope Unfolds in Holly’s Renewal

Ep 97. Etiquette of Pilfering Rocks

Etiquette of Pilfering Rocks

Ep. 230 Lessons from a Late No-Till Garden

Lessons from a Late No-Till 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

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

Mary Stone reflects on the life and legacy of her dear friend and design colleague, Marty Carson, who recently passed away. She shares memories of their collaboration and the impact of Marty's wisdom and generosity on the gardening community, including a lecture they gave on deer-resistant gardening, which shared humorous and effective methods to deter deer. Mary concludes with personal updates on her own garden and a poem by Rumi, emphasizing gratitude and the beauty of nature.

Thanks for Tuning in!

Related Podcasts and Posts you'll Enjoy:

Two Best Gardeners of the Garden State – Blog Post

Remedies for Buck Rub – Blog Post

Springfest Lecture -Deer Resistant Plants - Blog Post

Ep 117. Deer Remedies & Rat Snakes / Non-Stinky Deer Deterrents – Blog Post

Ep 202. Pansies Bring Vicki Johnson's Garden Start / Violet and Pansy Season of Happiness - Blog Post

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