Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 142
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!
It was a HOT week here in New Jersey. We also had a number of storms roll through that brought down some heavy branches and knocked down some of my taller, heavier flowers.
All is well though overall so I’m not complaining.
I did a bunch of weeding and deadheading flowers this week. So I had to work early before the temperatures rose.
As an aside, I’m not the most motivated gardener early in the mornings, so pushing myself to get out there was not easy!
Oh, and the vegetable harvesting has been amazing so far. I’ve got a ton of jalapenos, cucumbers, and squash.
And the tomatoes just started ripening too.
This is also the time of year when the problems start setting in. Are you seeing some pest and disease problems too?
The Japanese beetles are really going to town on my dahlias now. It’s disappointing to see them destroy some of the blooms.
I knock them off into a bucket of soapy water when I’m out there in the mornings as much as I can. Hopefully, they’ll leave sooner than later.
Last summer, the lawn by the front porch and the stone wall started browning out. We had an extremely hot and dry summer, plus I discovered some grubs in the lawn.
I treated the areas with milky spore and reseeded with tall fescue. This year, only the porch lawn is browning out. So progress, am I right?
It may need a summer application of fertilizer which I generally don’t do, but in this case. I think it needs it to help prevent summer drought conditions.
So next year, I’ll add a late June application to these areas only to help keep the lawn going in summer and see how they do.
In the meantime, I’ll be reseeding these areas and adding another application of milky spore again.
On a personal note, we spent some time with my great aunt, uncle, mom, and stepdad last weekend by the pool. It was fun to get together and catch up!
This weekend, we took a quick trip to Vermont to do some hiking, boating, and thrifting at the outdoor flea market.
I can’t wait to show you guys what I found!
What I’m Shopping For This Week
With all the rain, I needed to get a few more last-minute plant supports for some flowers that are now flopping over.
Sigh.
To combat the Japanese beetle problem, I stocked up on some milky spore and a new applicator for it. It’s not time to apply it just yet, but I am preparing so I’m ready to go next month.
I also snagged some cute summer outfits!
- I LOVE this summer dress (see below pic) so I bought it in a few more colors. It fits true to size and is very slimming.
- These breezy pants in a few colors.
- This top is in a few colors.
- And these strappy sandals.
What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms
It was a fun week on the blog!
We celebrated Christmas in July with a fun post detailing 20 of the best Christmas flowers and plants to grow this year.
If you want to grow fresh flowers for Christmas, now is the time to shop for them for fall planting.
And if you want the look but don’t want to care for the real deal, I got you. Check out the beautiful faux options at the end of the post.
It’s peach season! So my supper club and I got together for a summer dinner party with a peach theme.
As an aside, I love how beautiful everyone’s tables looked for this one!
We shared some peachy table decor and centerpiece ideas together with some mouthwatering peach recipes you’ve got to try!
Since I was the host this month, I was in charge of the main course. And let me tell you it does not disappoint.
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.
And I must be hungry as I’m scrolling the web because most of these are recipes today!
This peach tablescape is GORGEOUS.
This recipe for peach bruschetta sounds divine!
I’m always up for a good summer sangria recipe too.
This cobb salad recipe looks and sounds amazing!
I can’t wait to try this pineapple zucchini recipe.
These tips for styling a boxwood wreath.
This pineapple smoothie recipe.
And this easy dump cake recipe.
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 Far Apart to Plant Zinnias (and Why Spacing Matters More Than You Think)
Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 277
When and How to Harvest Lavender for the Best Fragrance
Best Companion Plants for Lavender (What to Plant and What to Avoid)
How to Grow Lavender for a Low-Maintenance Cottage Garden
Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 276
Thank you so much for following along.
Enjoy a beautiful day! xo
We have had the Japanese beetle issue here, too! I have not heard of milky spore. You are always a wealth of great gardening info! Thanks so much for sharing my boxwood wreath! Happy Sunday! 💛🌸
Thank you! It works really well as an organic way to deal with them long term.
Happy Sunday, Stacy! Thanks so much for sharing my peach dump cake.
It was such a fun month for supper club and so can’t wait to try all the delicious looking recipes!
Thanks! You and me both! xo
Stacy
What a busy week. Thanks for sharing my bruschetta recipe.
You are welcome thank you! xo
Love all of your inspiration…that gorgeous table and the chicken recipe! Oh, my! I have raccoons now eating my heritage, Big Boy and Roma tomatoes…fence goes up today…Wish me luck! Thank you for sharing my pineapple zucchini. Hope you love it!
Oh no they are so sneak too! Good luck! xo
Stacy, I am not familiar with milky spore, however, my lawn is looking so tired from all this heat…as are my roses. Love all your Sunday ideas and tips! Have a great week.
Thank you so much! Milk spore can be applied to help with grubs in the lawn that turn into japanese beetles.
The dahlias look amazing!!! Thanks for sharing my salad!!
Thank you Jennifer! I love a good cobb salad! xo
Oh, my goodness! That’s a gorgeous table scape! So beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing my pineapple zucchini. Hope you love it!
Thanks so much Leslie!