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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

Have you ever considered Broadleaf Plantain, the flat-leaved weed that invades your lawn, a beneficial plant? It is, as are my favorite Dandelions.

In this episode, we chat about the benefits of both and I share Koleen Garland's hilarious childhood memory of making dandelion wine sure to entertain.

I hope you enjoy the story.

Related Stories and Helpful Links:

Benefits of Broadleaf Plantain & Dandelion "Weeds" – Blog Post

Great-Horned Owl meets Hawk -Blog Post

Ep.116 - Great Horned Owl meets Hawk

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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

Thomas Jefferson's birthdate recalls visiting Monticello, considered a Lab for Plants. We chat about the fascinating history of the plantation and Jefferson's Garden Book, which is filled with trials and tribulations. One is his remarkable Castor Bean Plants.

We chat about Castor Bean Plants overcoming the concern of toxicity in the garden and how I used them to "Hide Uglies."

The episode wraps up with a reflection on Thomas Jefferson's self-written epitaph, which suggests a sense of self-awareness and perhaps shame for offenses and imperfections. May we learn from history rather than erase or ignore it so that we continue to become better than we used to be.

Related Stories and Helpful Links:

Jefferson's Monticello Lab for Plants – Blog Post

Castor Bean Plants Hide Uglies – Blog Post

Episode 29 Aphid Invasion - Beneficial Ladybugs

Beneficial Ladybugs – Blog Post

Reasons to Prune – 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. 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

The episode starts with a fun little ditty about Bumbershoots (umbrellas) and a chat about Spacing Plants to avoid having to prune them. Plus, the reasons to prune are similar to those for caring for ourselves and our families.

We discuss Smokebush, with its splendid features (and cautions), and other shrubs you can rejuvenate-prune in spring.

Then wrap up with inspiration on revitalizing and restoring ourselves. I hope you enjoy the story.

Related Stories and Helpful Links:

Reasons to Prune – Blog Post

Rejuvenation Pruning & Smokebush – Blog Post

Ep 106. Rejuvenation Pruning Lifts Hearts, including mine, as I joined a lifelong friend and her grown sons to rejuvenate overgrown shrubs and renew their gardens.

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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

I look forward to sharing a sequel to Early Spring Transplants with a story about Root Pruning that relates to our lives. But before that, I share a personal journey of recovery and growth.

Then we chat about the how-too's of Root Pruning and the benefits. And wrap up with encouragement to assess our roots and perhaps make room for new feeder roots in our lives. I hope you enjoy the story

Related Stories and Helpful Links:

Root Pruning– Blog Post

A Sunflower Maze Brings Happiness– Blog Post

Ep 126. A Sunflower Maze Brings Happiness

Forest Bathing – Blog Post

Ep 34. Forest Bathing, Willowwood Champion Trees

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

Early spring is an ideal time to transplant most woody plants. In this episode, we feature large cherry trees a farmer transplanted five years ago and the outcomes with updates that hopefully inspire others to treat animals with respect and kindness.

We wrap up with hilarious early Spring Garden Honey-dos. I hope you enjoy the story.

Related Stories and Helpful Links:

Early Spring Transplants – Blog Post

Spring Garden Honey-dos – Blog Post

Here's a link to Penn State's Extension office article with a nifty chart on suggested root ball sizes by plant type.

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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