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!
After a long weekend in Vermont, I got busy again in the gardens doing some weeding, maintenance and pruning.
The lonicera on the arbor in the potager garden was getting a little out of control so we pruned and tied it up to train it to go over.
There is a plant on both sides. Since repairing the arbor, we needed to do some rehab to get them both to grow up and over.
The New Dawn rose that I planted last year is really growing well in the pool garden up the arbor. It’s just starting to bloom now, but I think next year will be the year it really shines.
When I was harvesting some lettuce in the potager garden, I was greeted by a lovely garter snake.
It freaked me out! I wasn’t expecting it to be there and all of a sudden it started slithering around just checking me out.
OK note to self, don’t just stick your hands into the raised garden beds without checking out the surroundings first.
Remember those sunflowers I started?
Well something got to them and ate all of the seedling heads off. So I started a new batch and this time, I’m going to spray them with this repellent to protect them as they grow.
Oh my word, the zen garden koi pond looks SO GORGEOUS right now.
Everything around it is blooming and it is amazing what it looks like. The photos don’t do it justice. So hop over to my IG if you can to see it in action.
There’s a tree here, that I think is a Japanese Snowbell. It did not bloom last year. But this year? It is covered! And looks so beautiful as it cascades over the pond.
That gorgeous rhododendron is still blooming although the flowers aren’t as bright.
But the elderberry ‘Black Lace’ and Mountain Laurel sure look beautiful right now too.
The mountain laurel did not bloom this much last year so I am IN LOVE with this garden right now!
I planted the rest of my seedlings that included sunflowers, cosmos and pumpkins. When I say planted, I mean, they are all in the ground now. I started them about a week and a half ago in small peat pots, and now they are ready for planting.
On the home front, we are preparing for Tori’s senior prom and high school graduation this week. Time really flew! I can’t believe she’s wrapping up high school now!
My frozen shoulder has been pretty painful this week, so while I’ve been working in the gardens, I’ve been taking some downtime too. My motion is pretty limited and while I’m trying to make the best of it, not gonna lie, it hurts…a lot.
I’ve decided to follow an anti-inflammatory diet to hopefully help reduce the inflammation in my shoulder.
What I’m Shopping For This Week
Since I’m about 80% done planting in the gardens at this point, I’m still purchasing supplies needed to get things wrapped up.
Here’s what I shopped for this week!
In the Garden
- Potting Soil – seriously, I need more. The potato bags are really sucking up soil because I have to keep adding more to them.
- Deer Repellent – I’ve got a lot of plants to protect so I run out quickly and like to keep stocked for the next month.
- But I also ordered more of this deer repellent too because it’s less stinky and a little easier to use.
- More of these half-moon plant supports.
- And I needed more fertilizer for my herb and vegetable garden.
Around the House
I had to stock up on a few random things plus some new items you might find interesting too.
- This liquid collagen. I was using the powder, but have read liquid works better so I’m trying this one. If you have a recommendation, I’d love to hear it in the comments below.
- Sunscreen – We are running low and need it! If you are spending more time outside you need it too. I’ve had a few friends recently that were diagnosed with skin cancer.
- I started shopping around for Father’s Day and found this fun travel mug.
- This drill brush accessory kit to help clean the outdoor cushions.
- My dogs are shedding like crazy now. Just look at them and their fur is everywhere. This pet hair scraper is THE BEST for removing pet hair for from furniture, carpet…you name it.
- Because they are shedding so much I’m seriously considering getting something like this. Have any of you ever used it before and if so does it work? Every time I brush them, the fur flies everywhere!
What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms
It was a fun week on the blog!
This week we chatted about pollinators and how to attract more of them to your garden.
I recommended 31 different easy-care flowering plants that attract butterflies.
And I also shared some great tips for designing a flower garden that attracts butterflies too.
If you enjoy hummingbirds as much as I do, there are ways to bring more of them to your garden as well. Follow these design tips to attract more of them to your garden.
And finally, I shared some growing tips and tricks for cucumbers, as well as some companion plants so you get the best harvest this year.
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.
You’ll love these coastal patriotic decorating ideas.
This DIY ribbon flag.
This DIY solar fountain.
These tips for building a shutter wall.
And these grilled pork burgers.
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.
How to Divide Hydrangeas
Father’s Day 2025: Fire Up the Grill – Your Ultimate BBQ Menu!
How to Protect Your Koi Pond from Herons
Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 228
Quick & Easy Strawberry Dump Cake Recipe: Just 3 Ingredients!
10 Outdoor Table Setting Ideas for Chic Alfresco Dining
Thank you so much for following along.
Enjoy a beautiful day! xo
