Garden Dilemmas, Delights & Discoveries
Jun 21, 2026 · 13 min · 6 segments
A visit to Well-Sweep Herb Farm in Warren County, New Jersey, leads to unexpected discoveries both in the garden and in life. Mary Stone shares highlights from a tour with third-generation grower…
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Mary StoneHost
Anyway, we have a special treat this week that has to do with a visit to a very special farm, and it starts like this.
Last weekend, I attended an open house at Well Sweep Herb Farm here in Warren County, New Jersey, invited by my birder buddy, Dennis Brady, who is all about plants that attract pollinators for his meadows, mostly made of native plants.
We've spoken about Dennis' meadow before, most recently in episode 217, Moth Surveying In A New Jersey Mountain Meadow.
The event was filled with interesting lectures, vendors offering delicious food, and beautiful art, and of course, plenty of plants to tempt gardeners like me.
I visited Well Sweep several times over the years, purchasing plants for clients, and I occasionally would bring clients there.
But this time was special because I was there to relax, enjoy the beauty, and learn, not to buy plants, but of course, I did buy some plants.
The day began with a tour of the formal garden led by Patrick McDuffie, the third generation of the family that has nurtured Well Sweep Farm for the last 57 years.
Patrick majored in biology, but what struck me most wasn't his scientific knowledge.
He reminded me of the legendary gardeners I've known, people who understand that plants aren't just plants.
His grandfather, Cyrus Hyde, known as Cy, was a legendary plant collector and storyteller.
Before we entered the herb garden, Patrick picked up a common plantain leaf growing in the lawn.
Here we were, surrounded by thousands of unusual and beautiful plants from around the world, and he began with what most consider a weed, that many people spend a lot of money to try to eliminate.
We've spoken about plantain before in episode 157, Benefits Of Plantain And Dandelions, Both Desirable And Edible: Treasures That Grow Beneath Our Feet.
Patrick passed around horsetail grass stems and explained how the silica-rich plant was once used like sandpaper.
We learned about lemon balm, don't let it go to seed to keep it from overtaking your garden, and scented geraniums.
We learned about jewelweed used to treat poison ivy and how they make rose petal jam.
Anyway, we have a special treat this week that has to do with a visit to a very special farm, and it starts like this.
Last weekend, I attended an open house at Well Sweep Herb Farm here in Warren County, New Jersey, invited by my birder buddy, Dennis Brady, who is all about plants that attract pollinators for his meadows, mostly made of native plants.
We've spoken about Dennis' meadow before, most recently in episode 217, Moth Surveying In A New Jersey Mountain Meadow.
The event was filled with interesting lectures, vendors offering delicious food, and beautiful art, and of course, plenty of plants to tempt gardeners like me.
I visited Well Sweep several times over the years, purchasing plants for clients, and I occasionally would bring clients there.
But this time was special because I was there to relax, enjoy the beauty, and learn, not to buy plants, but of course, I did buy some plants.
The day began with a tour of the formal garden led by Patrick McDuffie, the third generation of the family that has nurtured Well Sweep Farm for the last 57 years.
Patrick majored in biology, but what struck me most wasn't his scientific knowledge.
He reminded me of the legendary gardeners I've known, people who understand that plants aren't just plants.
His grandfather, Cyrus Hyde, known as Cy, was a legendary plant collector and storyteller.
Before we entered the herb garden, Patrick picked up a common plantain leaf growing in the lawn.
Here we were, surrounded by thousands of unusual and beautiful plants from around the world, and he began with what most consider a weed, that many people spend a lot of money to try to eliminate.
We've spoken about plantain before in episode 157, Benefits Of Plantain And Dandelions, Both Desirable And Edible: Treasures That Grow Beneath Our Feet.
Patrick passed around horsetail grass stems and explained how the silica-rich plant was once used like sandpaper.
We learned about lemon balm, don't let it go to seed to keep it from overtaking your garden, and scented geraniums.
We learned about jewelweed used to treat poison ivy and how they make rose petal jam.
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