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Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 218

ByStacy Ling Posted on Updated On
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Hi there!

I hope you had an amazing week!

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Random Things Happening Behind the Scenes at Bricks ‘n Blooms

One Step Forward. Two Steps Back.

Just when I thought we were potty trained…bam! Our sweet little puppers spent most of the week having accidents. Luckily it was on my tile floor so the clean-up wasn’t so bad….but still!

He started having accidents later in the day, despite taking him out every 30 minutes to an hour and so, I’ve decided to really keep on top of him. I’m happy to report that over the last few days, we have been dry so let’s hope we’ve turned a corner this time!

Because he kept having accidents, I wound up buying this enzyme spray to help get rid of any lingering odors in case that was triggering him. Is there a correlation between him not peeing in the house anymore and using this spray? IDK! I’ll let you know!

Two black Labrador dogs are sitting on snow in a backyard. One dog is sitting up with its mouth open, and the other is lying down. They are surrounded by a stone wall, rocks, and potted plants.
Two black dogs are lying on a tiled floor, looking up towards the camera. One has a red collar, and they are next to a chew toy. The floor has a pattern of alternating hexagonal tiles in tan and black.

NEW GARDEN!

Ok, well it’s not really a new garden so much as a rehabbed garden but it is new to me and well on it’s way to becoming a place of year-round color, blooms, and foliage.

Do you guys remember that evergreen tree we had removed about a year after we moved in? It was GINORMOUS and the bed was filled with pachysandra, vinca, and liriope. Well, my gardening assistant came by this week and helped remove it all and it looks sooooo good! This is a garden that you see as soon as you pull up my driveway towards the house, so it really needed an overhaul.

I’m happy to announce that it is well on its way! We still have the tree stump there that I may put a statue on so it becomes more of a focal point in that garden. But this bed will be mixed border filled with perennials, small trees, evergreens, shrubs, and of course…lots of flowers!

A pathway curves along a grassy area with scattered brown patches and leafless shrubs. Pine trees and bare deciduous trees stand in the background. The scene is lit by warm, golden sunlight, suggesting either morning or late afternoon.
A two-story house with beige siding and white trim sits beside a curved driveway, surrounded by a sparse winter landscape. Bare trees stand in the background under a clear blue sky, and small shrubs dot the lawn.

Spring Gardening is Here!

We had a bit of a warm spell this week so I took advantage and was able to get out side in spurts doing a little clean up. To get things going, I cut back all of the hellebores, nandina, and started working on my limelight hydrangeas (there’s a lot of them!).

Winter sowing is looking SO GOOD! Most of the vegetables I started germinated. I’m still waiting on the flowers but they’ll come in due time. I’m so excited to grow more veggies from seed this year. How fun! I want to get more into designing a potager that provides us with nourishment and lots of cut flowers.

I’ve even decided to pull the dining space from this garden and asked Chris to build another raised bed so I can grow more stuff! To be honest, we barely ate down there because it’s a little far from the house. We don’t have the best places here to dine outdoors, so we may need to create one! More on that later. I need to speak with Chris about this one.

My indoor seed starting is going well too. I haven’t noticed any germination yet, but expect to see some later this week.

A garden with a paved walkway is surrounded by green lattice fencing. There's an archway adorned with string lights. Bare trees stand in the background, and dried ornamental grasses are placed in pots along the path.

Only a Few Days Left to Register!!!!

Dreaming of bouquets bursting with your own homegrown blooms? Imagine stepping into your garden and snipping armfuls of vibrant flowers for your home, friends, and family. It’s closer than you think! Join me for an exclusive webinar where I’ll show you exactly how to make your cutting garden happen!

In just one hour, you’ll learn:

  • The secrets to planning a thriving cut flower garden, even if you’re a beginner.
  • Where to find the best seeds and supplies for stunning blooms.
  • My proven methods for starting your flowers from seed (no green thumb required!).
  • Essential care tips to keep your plants flourishing all season long.
  • LIVE Q&A
  • And much, much more!

But that’s not all! You’ll also receive:

  • A FREE ebook packed with valuable resources to guide you through your cut flower gardening journey.
  • Recording of the webinar if you can’t make the live event (you must be registered prior!)
  • And an exclusive 50% off code for my online shop!

So don’t miss out! Spots are limited. Register now and let’s grow something beautiful together!

[Sign Up HERE!]

A vibrant bouquet in a beige ceramic vase sits atop a white lace-patterned metal table. The arrangement includes sunflowers, dahlias, and various wildflowers, with lush greenery in the background and a blue sky overhead.

Preorder My Second Book Here!

10 days until my next book publishes with Harvest House on March 11, 2025! Did you preorder yet? The Bricks ‘n Blooms Beautiful and Easy Flower Garden Planner is available now for preorder and is a great accompaniment to my first book. This planner covers everything you need for a successful growing season this year. And it’s not your average planner either because you’ll get lots of cheat sheets, garden designs, flower garden ideas, and so much more.

A person in a denim jacket holds a colorful book titled "Flower Planner" while standing in a sunlit room with various plants. A wooden sign above reads "Fresh Herbs.

💦 Watering Woes? These Must-Haves Make It SO Much Easier!

Keeping plants watered shouldn’t feel like a full-time job. But between dry spells, busy schedules, and thirsty plants, it can be a struggle to stay on top of it all. Am I right? That’s why I’m sharing my go-to watering tools and supplies—the ones that actually work to save time, conserve water, and keep your garden thriving without the hassle.

We’re talking less dragging hoses, more hands-free watering, and solutions that do the work for you. Whether you’re tired of watering every day or looking for a better way to keep your plants happy, these are my must-haves.

💦 Ready to make watering a breeze? Click below to explore my favorites!

  • 💧 Set it and forget it! This container garden must-have will keep your potted plants from turning into dust bowls mid-summer.
  • 💦 Big watering jobs indoors and out? This secret weapon helps you hydrate plants while covering a lot of ground. It’s a total timesaver in lieu of filling a watering can.
  • 🚰 One hose isn’t enough? This must-have garden supply lets you run multiple hoses and drips at once.
  • 🌿 Deep watering, no waste. This garden must-have helps deliver water straight to plant roots where they need it most.
  • ⏳ Water on Auto-Pilot! This garden helper makes the chore of watering set-and-forget – super helpful in the summer when it’s super hot out and you are vacationing
  • 🔄 No more tangled mess! This is a gardener’s secret weapon – trust me, you want this for your garden. The no-kink hoses are terrible!
  • 🪴 Forget daily watering! This indoor gardening must-have keeps plants hydrated for days.
  • ⛲ Create a soothing vibe. This decorative water feature adds vintage beauty while recycling water and providing drinks for pollinators.
  • 🌧 Catch and save rainwater! This eco-friendly must-have keeps free water ready for your garden.

Looking for even more garden watering maintenance ideas? Click here to see more of my top picks!​

A large, decorative stone planter brimming with green grass-like plants, vibrant pink flowers, and small yellow blooms. The planter sits on a tiled pathway next to a garden bed, with lush greenery and trees in the background. A tall wooden sculpture is nearby.

What I’m Shopping For This Week

It’s been a random week of stuff! Here’s what I’m shopping for this week!

  • I just ordered a few different self watering pots for my alocasia plants. These are highly rated so I’ve decided to give them a try.
  • I also just ordered this retractable hose and I may get a few more. I am soooooo over the non-kink hoses that don’t even last one season.
  • To see how my soil is doing in the new garden, I just ordered this soil test kit.
  • I’ll tell you, I go through these plastic nursery pots like they are watering while I’m repotting all of my houseplants in them. I cannot recommend them enough when you are growing indoor tropical plants – they are a must have.
  • To get ready for the next round of seed starting, I ordered some more seed starting soil.
  • I also just ordered more deer repellent to protect my tulips that will be emerging soon!

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

A list of trending products with images on a pink background. Items include gardening tools, soil moisture meters, beauty products, insect controls, and organic plant nutrition. Each has a 'Read More' button next to it.

What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms

It was a fun week on the blog!

Cut Flower Garden Design: A Beginner’s Guide

New to cut flower gardening? This beginner’s guide shares the secrets to a vibrant cut flower garden with non-stop blooms and stunning colors all season. Learn simple design tips for planning, planting, and maintaining your cutting garden.

A lush garden filled with colorful flowers, including vibrant purple dahlia blooms, is bathed in sunlight. A multi-tiered stone fountain stands in the background, adding a touch of elegance. Tall trees create a serene, leafy backdrop under a clear sky. Supporting tall flowers with green garden stakes that have terra cotta clay toppers and netting. Dahlia 'Thomas Edison'

Must-Have Zinnia Varieties For Your Cutting Garden

Transform your cutting garden with these top zinnia varieties! Learn which ones create the most stunning bouquets and how to grow them for a gorgeous cut flower garden.

A hand holding a vibrant bouquet of fresh-cut zinnia flowers in pinks and yellows, with a lush garden landscape in the background.

DIY Guide: How to Build a Birdhouse for Your Backyard Birds

Learn how to build a birdhouse for your backyard birds with this easy DIY guide. Step-by-step instructions and tips for a perfect bird home!

A wooden birdhouse with a slanted roof is mounted on a post amidst lush greenery. Surrounding the DIY birdhouse are various plants, including a bush with pink flowers and other foliage, creating a serene garden scene.

7 Common Backyard Design Mistakes to Avoid in 2025

Avoid these 7 common backyard design mistakes in 2025! Learn how to create a functional and stylish outdoor space with expert tips for furniture, plants, and more.

A cozy outdoor living space features cushioned wicker chairs, floral pillows, a glass-topped table with a bouquet of vibrant flowers, a pitcher of lemonade, a glass jar of lemonade, and a magazine. Potted plants and vibrant pink flowers adorn the backyard design in the background.

This Irish Cheddar and Beer Fondue Recipe Will Be Your New Favorite Appetizer

Warm up with this cozy and delicious Irish cheddar and beer fondue recipe. Perfect for dipping crusty bread, veggies, and more!

irish cheddar and beer fondue in fondue pot with broccoli potatoes and bread

Must-Grow Dahlia Varieties for Your Cut Flower Garden

Discover stunning dahlia varieties! From dinnerplate to ball dahlias, find the perfect blooms for your cut flower garden.

Creamy peach dahlias blooming in a garden, surrounded by lush green leaves. A bee is collecting pollen on one of the flowers. In the background, trees and a small building are visible under a clear sky.
Dahlia Shiloh Noelle

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.

Thank you so much for following along.

Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

An illustration of a pink flower with green leaves on the left, accompanied by the words "Stacy Ling" in an elegant, cursive font to the right—a perfect piece for any garden decor.
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 trained master gardener who’s been gardening for almost 30 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

  1. I’m excited to see how that new garden comes along!! Can’t wait to get my garden planner…lots of work to do around here. P.S. Gus already looks so much bigger than when you brought him home!!!

    Reply