Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 129

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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?

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

These gardening tips for May in the Pacific Northwest.

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.

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.

Garden Supplies I Use

I’m often asked about the garden supplies and tools that I use most. From pruners to deer repellents, here are some of my favorites in no particular order.

• I like to use a good-quality, potting soil, garden soil, compost, and perlite when planting.
• I have used this deer repellent with great success. But now, I’m all about this deer repellent that is systemic instead of topical. This means the plant takes it in as opposed to it just smelling bad.
• Hands down this is my favorite hand-weeding tool. You can use it to get underneath roots, and loosen soil, and it cuts down on the weeding time because you work much faster.
• But I also love this long, stand-up weeding tool to really get around roses from afar.
• I like to use THIS ORGANIC FERTILIZER for roses because the blooms are more prolific and it’s organic.
• You’ll need a sharp set of pruners when working with plants and flowers. I buy a few so I can stash them around.
• I use these garden snips to deadhead and cut flowers from my gardens.
• Where pest and disease problems are concerned, if I need to, I generally use this insecticidal soap or neem oil to help control infestations depending on the issue. When using, only apply when pollinators are less active.
• This is my favorite set-and-forget slow-release fertilizer for houseplants, annuals, and container gardens.
• Whenever I stake my peonies or other plants, I generally use these grow through garden supports because they work really well and keep the blooms upright.

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