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Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 118

Hi there!

I hope you had a great week!

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Random Things Happening Behind the Scenes at Bricks ‘n Blooms

What a week it was!

Are you ready for some football??? Who are you rooting for this tonight? Let me know in the comments below.

My sister-in-law is coming over for the first half. So the girls and I are making a few dishes. Looking forward to a fun game!

Since my husband is a diehard NY Giants fan, he is rooting for Kansas City this weekend, so there will be no wearing green in our house whether we want to root for Philly or not. hahaha.

Whomever you are rooting for it will be a good game! So may the best team win!

Tori and I went on another college tour this week at Monmouth University and enjoyed it! It’s about a mile from the beach and the campus is really nice!

We have a few more tours to do before she makes her decision but it’s always fun to see what THEY gravitate to and love.

Sowing Seeds Indoors Without a Greenhouse

It was so warm almost all week long! I was totally feeling and started some seed indoors already!

This week, I planted lisianthus seeds. They are supposed to be a little fussier to grow so we’ll see how it goes. I’ve not grown them before but decided to challenge myself this year because the flowers have a two-week-long vase life.

I also winter-sowed seeds I saved from last year, sweet peas and larkspur. They do well with winter sowing, so I’m going to start them outside to save the indoor growing space for other plants I want to grow.

In addition to sowing seeds this week, I also cut back all of the hellebores. And some are almost ready to bloom!!! Like, I can’t tell you how happy that makes me feel to see them in mid February!!

If you are not growing lenten roses yet, you’ve got to plant them this spring.

pink lenten rose hellebore in front of green fence in backyard garden

And because the weather has been so lovely here, Chris and I took some chalk, took some measurements, and laid out the potager garden design. (When I say “we” I mean Chris – I kind of stood there chiming in what I was thinking for the space and like the artist that he is, he chalked it all out with true measurements.)

I am super excited about this space. It’s going to home our outdoor dining space, vegetable and cut flower gardens. We included the area where we’ll eventually add an outdoor kitchen too.

And once this garden gets going, I’m planning to donate excess harvests to the local food pantry. So, in addition to enjoying it ourselves, it will become a local giving garden.

Chris measuring the new potager garden design
chalking out the new potager garden design

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front entry hall christmas tree 2023

What I’m Shopping For This Week

Ok, remember those pillows I shared in last week’s weekly post and my throw pillow roundup? Well, those pillow covers arrived. And let me tell you they are worth every penny!

They are so well made, really high quality, and look beautiful! And as I planned, will make a great 3 season look in the living room. I’ll switch up the flowers and stuff between spring and fall so each season has a different vibe.

But friends, I definitely found my throw pillow tribe. So in case you want to check them out again, I’ve got my favorites linked here.

While I was planting seeds this week, I also wanted to remind you about this soil mixing tray that I use ALL THE TIME when I’m repotting and sowing seeds. It’s so much easier to have your soil in the tray than grabbing it out of the bag. And when you start seeds, you need to premoisten the soil first, so this is a great way to do it.

I also use this potting mat too. Originally, I bought it so I could contain any plant mess in the sunroom when cleaning up plants or repotting there but now use it in the gardening garage where I do my plant stuff. It sits under those soil mixing trays and catches all the excess soil.

It was a light week of shopping around for stuff, but here’s what I bought or is in my cart this week.

close up of the reading nook in the sunroom with white swivel chairs, pilee plant and kalanchoe

What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms

It was a fun week on the blog!

This week we chatted about my favorite gift idea for Valentine’s Day – a flower subscription! We’ve been doing that for our girls while at college for a few years now. And while they aren’t as into flowers as I am, THEY LOVE GETTING FLOWERS every month.

We decided to get one for ourselves too and the bouquet just arrived this week. The flowers are as gorgeous as they are on the site and I’m thrilled with the purchase.

close up of fresh flower subscription bouquets for valentines day ideas

We’ll pause the service when the gardening season picks up, but for now, I’m loving it! The first bouquet is suppose to arrive any day now.

It’s a great gift idea for anyone, especially this time of year when the winters are cold and dreary.

You check out my favorites here.

close up of pilea Peperomioides in the sunroom

Oh and we also chatted about one of my favorite easy-care indoor plants, pilea peperomioides. Are you growing one yet?

The foliage is so cool – it looks like coins which is why it’s also known as the money plant. It’s really easy to grow and doesn’t need much from you as a plant parent.

So if you are looking for a fun plant to try, I encourage you to grow them.

close up of plant room with snake plant pilea plant boston fern and anthurium lily

Amazing Inspiration from Around the Web

I love finding cool inspiration from around the web and wanted to share some of what I’m loving right now.

My good friend Kim from Shiplap and Shells shared how to grow sweet peas from seed to flower. If you haven’t grown them before, they are beautiful!

Now’s the time to start them too if you’d like to plant them this year.

sweet peas

My good friend Jennifer from Cottage on Bunker Hill made a super pretty vintage hanging heart this week in preparation for Valentine’s Day.

Have you seen it yet?

It looks pretty easy to make. I might try this one this week.

cottage on bunker hill vintage hanging heart diy

My good friend Rachel from the Ponds Farmhouse shared how to decorate with vintage candlestick holders.

I love how she’s found lots of creative ways to use her thrift store finds.

She’s found so many cool ones too! I love the brass ones, don’t you?

the ponds farmhouse vintage candlesticks

And here is some more inspiration you’ve got to see!

These easy ways to add cottage charm to your home.

These tips to decorate for spring using things you already have.

This ham and potato chowder.

These tips for making the most of small spaces.

And this creamy tomato soup recipe sounds divine!

close up of white accent chair in sunroom with jute area rug, boho poof ottoman, rattan side table, boho throw pillow, snake plant, boston fern, and anthurium lily

If you enjoy these posts, you can find past Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly posts here.

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About Me

Want to learn more about me?

I’m a master gardener who’s been gardening and growing things for over 25 years. With a deep passion for gardening, I enjoy helping others find their inner green thumb with all things plants and flowers, as well as find ways to bring the outdoors inside their homes too.

Get the inside scoop about my background as a master gardener, education, and experience, as well as why I started blogging.

stacy ling cutting dahlias in her garden
Home and Garden Blogger Stacy Ling cutting zinnia flowers in her cottage garden with wood picket fence in front of garden shed

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8 Comments

  1. We aren’t rooting for either team…even the teenage boy isn’t in to it this year!! I’m here for the snacks & Rhianna.
    Excited to see how the garden turns out!!
    Thanks for sharing my heart!

  2. Stacy,
    Sounds like a fun week. I can’t wait to see your outdoor kitchen area. I know your gardens are going to be amazing this year. Thanks for sharing my candlestick post. Have a fun Super Bowl.

  3. Ahhh….your gardens are just stunning! I have learned so much from your blog, Thank You!
    Ya, no super bowl for me…My 49’ers lost😢….(am I a poor sport?)maybe I will watch half time show.

    1. I hear you – my husband was not thrilled either but it was a good game! And thank you!!! Hope you had a wonderful weekend!