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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!

It’s really amazing how quickly spring arrived in New Jersey this year. We usually get a few frosts and we have not even been close to one.

That doesn’t mean we won’t get one, because the risk is still there. But so far so good, I’m ready to go all in on planting.

This week, I planted all of the eucalyptus and snapdragons that I started from seed. It was really good to get those in the ground before I start hardening off the rest of my indoor seed starts.

I noticed the potatoes are all growing, so I need to add more soil to cover them in the grow bags.

Do you remember when I started lisianthus from seed several months ago?

close up of tulip 'creme upstar'
Tulip ‘Creme Upstar’

Well, I am not loving them. I knew they would be a challenge to grow from seed and let me tell you, everything I heard was right!

I started with 3 different varieties in 3 different trays and I’m now down to one that isn’t even full.

They’ve slowly been dying off one by one and it’s really disappointing to use your seed starting space for something that just doesn’t want to grow.

Now I know they are very very VERY slow growers, but this is really slow.

Since the weather was so nice last weekend, I decided to bring them outside and feed them with a little fish emulsion to give them some nutrition.

I let them hang outside for a few hours in the shade before bringing them back indoors after feeding them.

tulips, daffodils and pansies in the front porch garden
The new garden I planted in fall is returning nicely.

Well…my house was super stinky for like 3 days after bringing them back in. It was so bad!

We wound up closing the doors to the sunroom until the soil dried out a little and reduced the awful aroma.

I’ve fed my seed starts with fish emulsion before when I grew them in the basement, but hadn’t done it here. So lesson learned.

While I still have a few seedlings left, I don’t love them and likely wouldn’t waste the indoor growing space again for them.

UNLESS…these I get a few flowers that are soooo amazing that it would be worth it to again.

If not, I’m OK with just not growing them. I’ve never found them locally at the nursery here and sometimes, it just wasn’t meant to be.

black lab in backyard zen garden on trex deck with seedlings
Koda is living her best life.

What I’m Shopping For This Week

I can’t believe we are heading into May already! We are opening our pool next week, so I need to stock up on a few supplies for myself and the family, as well as a few more garden supplies.

Here’s what I’m shopping for this week!

  • So I lost my best garden snips that I love to deadhead flowers with. No clue where they are and I need them stat! Therefore, I just bought two of these. One for making flower arrangements indoors and the other for outside use.
  • This adorable small copper watering can is perfect to nestle in among houseplants. I love that it’s beautiful AND functional.
  • I snagged a few more floral frogs for making arrangements. These work really well with vases and mason jars.
  • If you get really bad migraines, have you ever tried a migraine cap before? This one works really well. Just bought a second one for my daughter so she’ll stop using mine! LOL
  • With our pool opening up this week, I am totally thinking of summer now! Just bought this pretty beach coverup in white and black.
  • But I also bought this one for those excessively hot days.
  • I love this foldable packable beach hat to keep the sun off my face. Although I have a few already, some are on their way out. So I bought this one.
  • We also need more beach towels. I LOVE these and have them in my cart now.
  • But I also love these striped beach towels too.
  • I bought 2 more of these rattan side tables for our outdoor living spaces. They are great for outdoor use, but even better when you bring them indoors to use as a plant stand.
  • I’m considering getting a few more pool loungers. I LOVE these. They are so comfortable and you can use them in other outdoor living spaces other than a pool.
  • And I just snagged another one of these patio umbrellas. We have two but need another one.
pool with cozy lounge chairs and white umbrella with ruffles on patio in lush new jersey gardening zone 6a backyard
Pool time!

What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms

It was a fun week on the blog!

It’s supper club week on the blog! I love this time of the month when my friends and I get together, decorate some pretty tables and make incredible dishes.

This month, we celebrated Mom with a beautiful luncheon. Wait until you see these table decor and centerpiece ideas!

mother's day luncheon table with bouquet with sunflowers in vintage crock as centerpiece for the dining table, crystal chandelier, black china cabinet and hutch, linen tablecoth, cottagecore table decor, vintage gold gobelets, gold flatware, lenox and battery operated candles.
Bricks ‘n Blooms

I was in charge of bringing the dessert, and this one? Is really easy to make and GORGEOUS. If you love flowers as much as I do, you’ll want to try making this semi-homemade naked cake with flowers.

And finally, we shared an incredible menu with the best Mother’s Day recipes for a luncheon (or even a brunch).

Wait until you try these delicious dishes!

close up of a naked cake with pansy flowers and mint on a stone wall on a glass cake stand

Watch Bricks ‘n Blooms on TV

I shared my latest YouTube video where I’m taking you on a tour around the front yard gardens where you will see the gardens come to life.

You can hear about my favorite flowers in the garden and see what’s blooming in real-time.

Grab a cup of coffee, tea, or whatever you’d like, and come spend time in the beds with me!

Watch it here.

close up of pink tulips near stone wall

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.

These tips for decorating with vintage baskets.

This gorgeous DIY floral wreath.

These game night ideas for a fun night with friends or family.

These tips for staining and sealing wood.

This pretty springtime door basket.

This baked parmesan and panko crusted cod recipe.

These office organizing ideas.

And this creamy spring herb dip.

garden blogger stacy ling touring her new jersey zone 6a gardens in early spring in a boho dress with sunhat while holding a basket

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

And… If you’re catching up on blog posts you may have missed, be sure to sign-up to get my newest posts via email to stay up to date with everything that’s happening here on the blog and more.

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

Thank you so much for following along.

Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

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The bricks \'n Blooms guide to a beautiful and easy-care flower garden book by stacy ling
The Bricks ‘n Blooms Guide to a Beautiful and Easy Care Flower Garden
  • Have you never met a plant you couldn’t kill?
  • Have you dug around in the dirt with nothing to show for it except a sunburn and a sore back?
  • Do you currently enjoy growing flowers, but are looking for more tips and ideas to level up your gardening game?

Then the Bricks ‘n Blooms Guide is for YOU

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Stacy Ling

Stacy Ling is author of the best selling book, The Bricks 'n Blooms Guide to a Beautiful and Easy-Care Flower Garden, and writes the blog Bricks ’n Blooms from her 1850 farmhouse located in zone 6b northern New Jersey. She is a master gardener who’s been gardening for over 25 years and enjoys sharing her passion to help beginners find their inner green thumb, as well as discover a love for all things plants and flowers. Stacy loves to bring the outdoors inside her home and decorates with a comfy, casual, and cottagecore style. Come grow stuff and create beautiful spaces with her.

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16 Comments

  1. I was going to ask you how the lisianthus were doing! I will not be adding them to my list of seeds to try!

    Reply

    1. I would not grow them again – unless I get a few flowers that are like totally unbelievable, I will not grow them from seed again. I have never found them sold near me so maybe it’s just not meant to be!

      Reply

  2. Stacy
    I’m so amazed at your garden. It’s just stunning. Thank you for sharing my basket decorating ideas. Have the best Sunday.

    Reply

  3. Bummer about losing your clippers.

    You garden is looking great as always.

    Thanks for sharing my panko crusted Cod recipe

    It’s a must once a week. So many ways to change it up.

    Reply

  4. So glad to hear your weather has been good! I know you are enjoying that and your gardens! Thanks so much for sharing my spring door basket! 💛

    Reply

  6. You’ve been so busy in your gardens. I like reading about what you are growing and seeing all of your gorgeous blooms. Someday I’m going to have more time to get out and garden…just not this spring. Boo.

    Thank you for sharing the link to my herb dip. If you try it you’ll have to let me know. I like it even better than a normal ranch dip. Yum!

    Reply

  7. Thank you for sharing a link to my post. So sweet of you, Stacy. Your gardens are looking more and more beautiful with each passing day. I love see all of the beautiful flowers.

    Reply

  8. Stacy, love the pictures of Koda and you in that gorgeous dress and hat! I don’t have much luck with starting seeds inside and with our weather, I just throw them in the ground….and they survive or not! You are very patient and hopefully you will be able to get your lisianthus to bloom.

    Reply