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:

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

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

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

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. 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

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. 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

What a treat to share a writer friend's story about John Cabot Rose from the Explorer Series. Koleen Garland, from Canada, titled her two-hour writing binge -That Indestructible, Irresistibly Beautiful John Cabot Rose.

We wrap up the episode with wisdom from a child I met while volunteering at Comfort Zone Camp (a bereavement camp for kids.) Flora Forever - The young arborist-to-be is already an explorer of plants; may we all be the same.

I hope you enjoy the story.

Related Stories & Helpful Links:

The Irresistible John Cabot Rose

Enjoy Koleen's hilarious childhood memory of making Dandelion Wine in Ep 157. Benefits of Plantain & Dandelion "Weeds."

The Canadian Rose Society has an informative PDF of the varieties of Explorer Roses.

Beauty and Beast of Roses – Blog Post

Ep 72. Beauty and Beast of Roses

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. 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

I look forward to sharing a few glorious Wonders of Willowwood Arboretum in Chester Township, NJ, as shared by Bruce Crawford, Manager of Horticulture of Morris County Park Commission. I especially adore the wisdom gained from the beauty of the old and declining trees. I hope you enjoy the story.

Related Stories :

Wandering Willowwood Arboretum — blog post

Ep 34. Forest Bathing, Willowwood Champion Trees

No Mow May Helps Pollinators – Blog Post

Ep 103. No Mow May & Marvelous Moss

Link to Willowwood Arboretum

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. 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

Today's topic hits close to home. Sandy's pine bark nuggets were filled with huge black ants and termites. The close-to-home part is that I was tackling carpenter ants that nested in the screened porch, so Sandy's dilemma was my dilemma, too.

In this episode, we share a comical saga about determining the difference between carpenter ants and termites and safe ways to remedy the dilemma.

I hope you enjoy the story.

Related Stories

Carpenter Ants and Termites in Mulch– Blog Post

Admiration for Ants & Safe Remedies -Blog Post

Ep 121. Admiration for Ants & Safe Remedies

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. 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

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

Mushrooms are the fruit of valuable spores that decay organic material and recycle nutrients into the soil, which is good for plants. However, in volumes, they're unsightly in the garden.

In this episode, we review the icky fungi that can develop in mulch (you may wish to put down your sandwich while tuning in — Ha!) And, we discuss how to prevent and fix the plethora of Funky Fungi in Mulch.

I hope you enjoy the story.

Related Stories

Fixing Funky Fungi in Mulch– Blog Post

Leaf Mold – Better than Mulch– Blog Post

Ep 05. NY Botanical Garden, Fall Leaf Confetti

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. 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

This episode discusses Companion Plants for your Vegetable Garden to control pests, encourage beneficial insects and pollinators, and increase yields. We share an overview of Three Sisters Gardening, the origin of companion plantings from Native Americans.

We wrap up with a reflection on when the podcast logo switched from Miss Ellie to now Jolee and how life changes like the seasons and endings bring new beginnings.

I hope you enjoy the story.

Related Stories

Making Friends with Companion Plants – Blog Post

Ep 28. Three Sisters, No-Till Gardening

Three Sisters Gardening & Jolee’s Emergency – Blog Post

Ep16. One World, Robins of Renewal

One World / Memorial Day and Robins of Renewal in the Garden – Blog Posts

Ep 01. About Marigolds, About Mary Stone

The Legend of Marigolds – Blog Post

Helpful Links:

The Old Farmer’s Almanac link to Planting, Growing, and Caring for Nasturtium Flowers

And Companion Planting Guide for Vegetables.

Better Homes & Gardens article on How to Plant and Grow Sweet Alyssum

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. 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