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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!

From rain to snow to warm weather and then back to a chill, the weather here has been all over the place! How’s it been by you?

I got my act together and prepared to winter sow my larkspur and sweet pea seeds this week using the winter sowing method. Yes, I can start them indoors too, but they do so much better for me sowing them outdoors now.

To get ready, I wrote out all of plant labels, set up my supplies, put my larkspur seeds in the fridge and soaked my sweet peas to help with better germination.

And I sowed them all yesterday in recycled rotisserie chicken containers, milk jugs, and peat pots. They are happily residing out by the cottage where they’ll get some light and snow or rain to keep them hydrated.

This week, I’m moving on to snapdragons, foxgloves, poppies, hollyhock, coreopsis and calendula. I haven’t started these using the winter sowing method yet, but am going to try it this year.

A Beautiful Sunrise

We had the most gorgeous sunrise the other day that I wanted to share with you. I snapped these photos before the rain washed the snow away but the sky and the gardens looked spectacular!

gorgeous Winter sunrise in the potager garden
raised garden beds in the potager garden at sunrise in winter

What I’m Watching

Chris and I love to binge-watch shows and right now, we are watching The Bear. Have you seen it yet? It is so good! We got through season one and just started on season two. I can see why it won so many awards. The talent in this cast is phenomenal.

Winners of My Book Giveaway!

If you entered my book giveaway last week, I’ve randomly selected 3 winners. I’m emailing the winners on Monday morning to get your mailing address!

If your name starts with the following, please check your email!

  • Jan
  • Gayle
  • Pamela

Upcoming Events

Podcasts

I recently appeared on two podcasts that are airing within the next week or so.

New Jersey Home and Garden Show (February 23-25)

If you are in the New Jersey area at February 23-25, come hang out with me at the New Jersey Home and Garden Show! I’ll have a booth there #465 near the marketplace in the expo center. While I’m there, I’ll be running a few giveaways, signing my book, and creating a gorgeous display of the prettiest spring flowers that you’ve got to see!

Admission is $10 with kids under 16 free. Chris and I took our kids to this event when they were younger and it was a great opportunity to walk around a beautiful venue, with lots of fresh flowers, ideas, and inspiration for home and garden renovation projects.

So come by and let’s hang out!

Winter sunrise in the front pond garden

What I’m Shopping For This Week

This week, I focused more on things that I need for the gardening season and seed starting. Here’s what I stocked up on!

  • I bought a few of this deer repellent because I go through it quick and I want to be ready when my tulips emerge.
  • And I also bought a few of this systemic deer repellent too. I use these more on my perennials and shrubs early on in the growing season that also get damaged by other wildlife like rabbits and groundhogs.
  • These wire cloches.
  • This poison ivy wash and scrub.
  • And this slow-release fertilizer. It’s almost time to start feeding my houseplants again!

Want to start composting this year but don’t have a lot of space? Years ago, I bought a tumbling composter like this one that works great! I love mine, still have it and use it to compost food scraps and yard waste. We get a lot of wildlife here, so a tumbling composter keeps them out of the compost bin.

close up of dried hydrangeas at sunrise in winter

What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms

It was a fun week on the blog!

The Best Easy Pink Flowers

Want to grow a flower garden with a charming pink aesthetic? Discover effortless elegance with my top picks for low-maintenance pink flowers that thrive in sun, shade, and everything in between.

Growing Dahlia Flowers

Want to grow dahlias but don’t know where to start? They are fun to grow and you can’t beat the blooms. Learn how to grow and care for dahlia flowers with these simple tips.

No More Nibbles: Protecting Your Garden Roses From Deer Damage

Are your beautiful garden roses falling victim to hungry deer? Discover expert tips on how to protect your beloved roses from deer damage, ensuring that they bloom and flourish undisturbed.

pink roses
Pink Roses

5 Plant Decor Hacks to Level Up Your Home

Cozy up your home and get creative with your houseplants! These 5 simple plant decor hacks will take your home from basic to botanical bliss. Read on and get inspired.

5-Star Caramelized Pear Flatbread Recipe

Impress guests or prepare an easy weeknight meal in with this effortless caramelized pear flatbread recipe! 5-star flavors, ready in 20 minutes. Read on for this insanely good recipe!

Galentine’s Day Brunch Ideas

Planning a Galentine’s brunch your besties will swoon over? Wait until you see these recipes & decor inspo that will make it a picture-perfect bash. Let’s get this party started!

caramelized pear flatbread recipe easy close up
Galentine's Day Table Decor Ideas in farmhouse dining room with black china cabinet and hutch
Galentine’s Day Brunch

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.

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.

lush boston fern in the sunroom
Author stacy ling with her husband christopher d ling aia on thanksgiving 2024. She is smiling with him and posing with a roasted turkey on a wooden board. The woman wears a floral blouse and apron, while the man sports a plaid shirt. They appear proud of their meal preparation.

Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 205

Hi there! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving week! Random Things Happening Behind the Scenes at Bricks ‘n Blooms What a week it was! I feel like it was a blur as my family and I spent a few days preparing to host Thanksgiving for almost 30 family members. To make room for a…
Read More Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 205

Thank you so much for following along.

Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

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

Buy Now

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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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4 Comments

  2. Stacy
    Wow those photos are amazing. We just started the Bear. ❤️. So many amazing things happening with you. I’m so excited for you and you deserve all the recognition you’re getting. Thanks for all you encouragement and support. You are the best.

    Reply