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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!

The Battle of the Blue Heron

When we last chatted I told you that Chris and I were in Vermont and the heron killed one of our fish through the netting but didn’t eat it. So my daughter, Tori, and her boyfriend made a temporary fortress that should keep the heron out at least temporarily, right?

A garden pond surrounded by a wire mesh fence supported by orange and white poles. The pond features green lily pads and is bordered by rocks and various plants. A small waterfall with a decorative stone lantern is visible in the background. A wooden walkway is in the foreground.

WRONG!

They camped outside all day on Sunday to keep an eye on the pond. When they went inside to make dinner, it came back! And sat on the stone wall kind of checking out the pond. Clay chased it away and the fish were okay but geez this bird is persistent.

On Monday, I kept watch over the pond from my family room because this thing is not getting any more of my fish!

As I was sitting in there, I heard the poles knock around. So I looked up and there it was INSIDE THE FORTRESS! I jumped up from the sofa, ran outside yelling at it, and it seriously scrambled to get out under the Japanese snowbell tree. The bird flew to the wall under the tree and then flew out.

I mean, the nerve of this thing!

A backyard garden features a small pond, surrounded by lush greenery, rocks, and a wooden walkway. A metal mesh is supported by orange stakes, covering the pond area. A garden ornament shaped like a watering can lies near the edge of the pond.

So I got my dogs to have them stand watch while I ran to my garden garage and grabbed some trellis netting to cover the area he flew into so he could not land in the area again.

When Chris got home from work, he got right on building the enclosure for the pond. I’m going to share what he did and how he did it later, but let me just say, the enclosure is great!

While he was working we found two dead fish floating in the pond. They didn’t appear to have any damage to them but they were two of the new guys and I bet the stress of it all got to them.

The next day, I sat watch again. That bird returned but this time, flew to the backyard and kind of hung out there checking things out for a bit.

A serene garden with a lush green lawn, various plants, and a tall, grey heron standing in the middle. The background features a green lattice structure covered with climbing plants. The foreground contains vibrant foliage and a stone garden wall.

Since he returned AGAIN, we added some green garden stakes and ran twine around it to create a fencing barrier that he can’t walk through. Because he pierced my fish through the netting, I don’t want him getting close to the pond.

But that’s not all! I added scat mats in between that fence and the pond so in case he tries to land that will hopefully keep him from fishing there.

I stood watch again the next day and have not seen him since. So is he gone? I think he’s stalking and trying to figure things out. But time will tell.

As of now, we are down to 7 fish but they are starting to come out more and be social again so hopefully we are on the right track here.

A lush garden features a small pond with water lilies, surrounded by rocks and various green plants. In the background, a traditional stone lantern is nestled among the trees and shrubs. A wooden deck with a curved edge is visible in the foreground.

Stop Killing Your Plants! My Easy Plant Parenting Course Is Coming!

Over the years, I’ve loved sharing my tips and tricks for growing a beautiful and easy flower garden with you. But I know many of you have faced the frustration of bringing home stunning houseplants, only to see them wither and die.

It’s disheartening and can feel like you’re throwing money away. I’ve been there and have done it too.

That’s why I’m excited to announce my upcoming 10-Day Plant Parenting 101: Houseplant Mastery Course! This course is designed to help you grow an easy indoor garden and stop wasting money on plants that don’t survive.

Whether you’re a newbie plant parent or have struggled with houseplants in the past, this course will provide you with the knowledge and confidence you need to keep your indoor plants thriving.

In just 10 days, you’ll learn:

  • How to choose the right plants for your home so they’ll survive and you’ll stop wasting money
  • Proper watering techniques to avoid over and under-watering
  • How to understand and adjust for different light requirements
  • Soil and repotting tips to keep your plants growing strong
  • and so much more!

Stay tuned for more details, and get ready to transform your indoor garden into a lush, green oasis. I can’t wait to share more with you soon!

An image of a lush green plant with distinctive large, heart-shaped variegated leaves featuring marbled patterns of various shades of green and cream. The plant is indoors, next to a wall with a decorative sign partially visible in the background.

Dig Plant Water Repeat Podcast

I had the pleasure of sitting down with my good friend and crazy talented gardener Janey from Dig Plant Water Repeat this week on her podcast. If you aren’t familiar with her, she’s got a gorgeous garden in California and has an inspriring YouTube channel that if you are not subscribed to, you’ll want to be after reading this!

We sat down to chat about growing easy flowers and creating a low-maintenance garden and would you believe we probably chatted for at least an hour before we even started the podcast! Listen to our chat here!

A potted plant with large, heart-shaped leaves displaying a striking pattern of red veining against a background of green and white. The pot is placed on a stone pathway, surrounded by various other green plants and colorful flowers.

What I’m Shopping For This Week

It’s been a random week of stuff! I’m starting to look at fall decor for my home and of course, needed a few odds and ends for the garden. Here’s what I’m shopping for this week!

For the Garden

  • Scat mats to keep the heron away! If you have issues keeping certain animals out of your garden, these do work and have helped me protect some plants from rabbit damage.
  • Slow-release fertilizer for my annuals and houseplants. It’s the last time I’m applying it for the season. I ran out so I needed to get more.
  • If you are starting to notice powdery mildew on your plants, stock up on neem oil. It is organic but only apply it early in the day or late in the evening when pollinators are less active. Make sure you are watering plants at the base of plants in the earlier part of the day where possible and space out your plants!
  • New planters for my houseplants!
  • Isn’t this rattan pot so cute for fall?
  • And I love this planter too! That color is so pretty, isn’t it?
  • I just bought two boxes of milky spore and the applicator to reduce Japanese beetles in my gardens next year.

If you are getting ready for fall like I am, here are my fall garden essentials.

In My Cart Fall Decor

These are the most popular products on my blog this week!

A vibrant bouquet of flowers, including pink, red, and peach blooms, is held up against a backdrop of lush greenery and a cloudy sky. The flowers are fresh and colorful, and the surroundings suggest a garden setting.

What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms

It was a fun week on the blog!

How to Beat Japanese Beetles on Zinnias

Tired of Japanese beetles ruining your beautiful zinnias? Discover effective and organic methods to protect your flowers and keep these pests at bay. Your zinnias will thank you!

A vibrant garden with a variety of blooming flowers, including pink and yellow zinnias, under bright sunlight. A paved pathway leads through the greenery, with a house and trees visible in the background. Sun rays add a warm glow to the scene.

The Best Fall Flowers: Top Picks for Autumn Beauty

Discover the best fall flowers to enhance your autumn landscape with vibrant colors, textures, and blooms. Perfect picks for a stunning seasonal display.

Vibrant garden with tall yellow flowers and pink blooms in front of a white house with hanging flower baskets. growing rudbeckia, sedum autumn joy and gomphrena (globe amaranth). Growing sedum autumn joy with black eyed susan is a lovely plant combination.

How to Grow Heuchera

Add year-round color to your garden with an easy-care heuchera plant! Learn simple tips for growing these perennial plants with stunning foliage.

A cozy front porch features a white swing adorned with a "Pumpkin Patch" pillow by a checkered one, and a blanket draped on one corner. The porch is decorated with heuchera in pots and vibrant flowers, alongside a vintage stroller. Autumn foliage enhances the fall decorating, creating a colorful backdrop.

Vibrant Fall Container Garden Ideas

Create a stunning fall container garden with this easy recipe. Get tips on plant selection and design for colorful autumn blooms.

A black planter overflowing with a variety of colorful plants, including fall flowers like ornamental cabbage, pink blooms, and various greenery. This container gardening design is set against a light-colored wall, with yellow flowers at the base adding to the vibrant display.
Fall Flowers for a Container Garden Idea

Delicious Keto Zucchini Fritters: Low-Carb and Easy to Make!

Crispy, flavorful, and keto-friendly! These easy keto zucchini fritters are a delicious way to use up your summer zucchini harvest.

A close-up of a stack of crispy zucchini fritters garnished with a dollop of sour cream and chopped green onions on a beige plate. More fritters are on a baking tray in the background. Fresh zucchini and additional chopped green onions are scattered around.

Quick and Easy Bruschetta Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes and Basil

This easy bruschetta recipe with tomatoes and basil is bursting with flavor and comes together in minutes. Perfect appetizer for any occasion!

Close-up of several bruschetta pieces arranged on a white plate. Each bruschetta slice, part of an easy bruschetta recipe, is topped with diced tomatoes, chopped basil, and a light drizzle of olive oil. The background shows a granite countertop.
Best Recipe for Bruschetta Tomatoes

My Latest Videos

The EASIEST Flower You’ll Ever Grow

Come join me in the garden where we are chatting about one of the easiest flowers to grow. In this video, you’ll see zinnias covered in butterflies and bees, and we’ll chat about everything you need to know to grow them successfully. Watch it here!

Let’s Go Thrifting for the Garden!

Come thrift with me at the outdoor flea market in Wilmington, Vermont! Wait until you see my haul! 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.

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

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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2 Comments

  1. Oh gosh Stacy this Heron is really a problem. So persistent. I feel horrible for the fish. They get no peace.

    Good luck with getting this to move on. Geez go away already

    Reply