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I hope you had an amazing week!

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Random Things Happening Behind the Scenes at Bricks ‘n Blooms

A garden with blooming yellow daffodils and pink hyacinths borders a green lawn, next to a yellow shed with green shutters and a picket fence. Trees and more flowers are visible in the background.

In the Garden

I’ve been busy all week long planting, hardening off the last of my seedlings and preparing for a huge annual plant order. It’s going to be very busy here in the beds over the next few weeks.

I planted some new gen boxwoods around the secret garden where we had some overgrown ones that were not thriving. Sometimes it is better to scrap it all and start fresh, so that’s what I did!

We’ve got an adorable fox family living under the cottage. There are about 5-6 pups and it is so sweet watching them roll around and play in my garden! While I love that they are here, the challenge is I need to leave that area alone for the time being. We are preparing to mulch this week and I bought a bunch of plants to put in there, but I think we’ve got to leave that area be until she and the pups move on.

A fox sits among blooming yellow and white flowers in front of a yellow wooden building with green shutters and trellises. A light bulb hangs in the foreground.

The property has exploded with daffodils, tulips and hyacinth flowers. The hyacinths smell so good! I have a border planted along the chain garden as you walk into the potager and I can smell them every time I walk by.

Speaking of the potager, I planted my tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini and eggplant this week. I also planted about half of my snapdragons so far. There is still a ways to go but I like to focus more on the progress so it doesn’t feel overwhelming to get it all done.

A large yellow house with white trim and a covered porch sits behind a stone wall. The front yard is filled with blooming yellow and white daffodils, with tall trees without leaves in the background.
A garden filled with blooming tulips and daffodils in shades of white, yellow, and pink. In the background, there are stone paths, green grass, trees, and a house with a white fence.

Redwood the Musical

This week, Tori and I saw Redwood on Broadway starring Idina Menzel. It was really good! I love not knowing what a play is about before I see it so I don’t know what to expect. Anyway, the play was fabulous. Idina has an incredible voice and I am in awe of her talent. While I don’t want to give too much away, the play is about grief and finding a connection in a nature, so this one really struck a chord with me. If you are looking for a moving show, this one is a great choice!

Two people smiling and holding "Redwood" Playbills in a theater, with other audience members seated in the background.
A black Labrador wearing an orange collar and a bone-shaped tag labeled "Gus" sits on a soft beige rug, gazing up with a gentle expression. A floral-patterned floor is visible in the background.

At Home

We’ve been doing some repairs on the house over the last few weeks. Last week, we fixed the columns on the front porch that had some wood rot. And this week, my zen garden has been torn apart from a balcony repair that sits just above our back porch.

It was a bit messy all week long so the dogs couldn’t really go out in the back yard. Which wouldn’t have been so tough if I had all mature dogs, but the puppy had some setbacks this week given we didn’t have a steady place to go outside. We’ll get back on track! He’s been great and loves to be outside.

Easter Sunday

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter today! We have a big crowd coming here midday. I’m doing a buffet style brunch so it will be pretty casual and I’ll be able to enjoy our family instead of focusing on serving courses.

Pink tulips and other colorful flowers bloom in a garden bed in front of a large, yellow two-story house with a porch, surrounded by green grass, trees, and a carved wooden sculpture.
Bright pink hyacinth flowers bloom in a garden bed beside a curved stone path, surrounded by green foliage and other colorful spring flowers in the background.
A vibrant garden with pink and yellow flowers in the foreground, wicker furniture on a wooden deck, and a large yellow house with white trim surrounded by trees in the background.

🐞 Organic Solutions for Your Toughest Spring Garden Challenges

Spring is in full swing, and while it brings so much beauty, it also comes with its fair share of gardening hurdles. From nibbling critters to unwelcome pests and the aches and pains of getting the garden going, I know how frustrating these challenges can be!

This week, I’m diving into some of the most common spring garden problems and sharing my go-to organic solutions. Because a healthy, thriving garden shouldn’t come at the cost of our well-being or the environment!

Here are some of the spring garden battles we are tackling the natural way!

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

A sculpted wooden tree trunk stands in a lush garden with blooming white flowers, green grass, and tall trees in the background at sunset.

What I’m Shopping For This Week

In preparation for planting season, this week has been all about garden shopping! Here’s what I bought this week.

  • I stocked up on more of these grow-through garden supports for my peonies, dahlias, and other plants with top-heavy blooms. They work really well and keep the blooms upright.
  • I also stocked up on more of this organic fertilizer for my roses because the blooms are more prolific and it’s organic. They will need to be fed again soon.
  • And I also stocked up on more of this organic fertilizer for my summer vegetables and herbs.
  • Since we are in planting season now, I stocked up on my favorite set-and-forget slow-release fertilizer for my annuals and container gardens. I am going through it and need more!
Close-up of blooming purple hellebore flowers in a garden bed, with green grass, shrubs, and trees in the background on a bright, overcast day.

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!

Growing Hydrangeas in Pots

Hydrangeas in pots? Yes, please! We show you how to bring these colorful beauties to life on your balcony or deck. From planting to winterizing, this beginner-friendly guide empowers you to grow hydrangeas like a pro.

A cluster of vibrant blue hydrangeas in full bloom is surrounded by lush green leaves. The flowers are set against a backdrop of dense, leafy trees in a garden setting, bathed in natural sunlight.

Top Easy-Care Flowering Annuals for a Vibrant Summer Garden

Discover the best flowering annuals for summer! Find vibrant blooms, low-maintenance options, and expert planting tips to transform your garden.

A vibrant garden filled with an assortment of colorful flowers such as pink, red, and orange zinnias, and other blooming flowers. In the background, there are lush green trees and foliage, creating a dense, natural backdrop.

Embrace the Cottagecore Aesthetic: Your Guide to Indoor Country Charm

Discover the secrets to bringing the enchanting cottagecore aesthetic into your home with cozy textures, vintage finds, & blooming greenery. Bring the outdoors in with these simple tips.

A cozy living room features a fireplace with plants and a floral painting above. A checkered armchair with a yellow pillow sits near a wooden table adorned with potted plants and books. Sunlight streams through French doors, illuminating the space.

Cool vs Warm Season Flowers

Plant with confidence in April! This post unveils the top cool-season flowers that flourish in cooler temps, along with a guide for warm-season flower success when summer arrives.

Herbed Ricotta Tomato Tart Recipe with Asparagus Flowers

Create a stunning spring centerpiece with this asparagus and cherry tomato tart recipe! Herbed ricotta and asparagus arranged like flowers make it beautiful and delicious.

A rectangular tart topped with herbed ricotta, asparagus spears, and red and yellow cherry tomato halves. It's surrounded by colorful edible flowers and fresh herbs, placed on a patterned tablecloth next to a bowl of mixed cherry tomatoes.

Brie, Pear & Prosciutto Crostini Recipe

Craving fancy finger food? Elevate your appetizer game with our easy Brie, pear & prosciutto crostini recipe. Sweet, salty, crispy bliss in every bite!

A wooden board showcases a prosciutto and brie appetizer, with toasted baguette slices topped with the creamy cheese, cured meat, and chopped herbs. A cloth napkin and a partially sliced baguette complete this tempting display.

Spring Blooms, Bulb Care Tips, and Supporting Tall Flowers (Plus a Fox Family!)

Get ready for a beautiful spring garden tour! See daffodils, tulips, and more blooming everywhere, plus a peek at the adorable fox family under the cottage! I’ll also share kitchen garden progress, tips for bulb foliage, and how to support tall flowers! ​Watch it here!

A vibrant garden with pink, white, and yellow tulips in bloom. Bold text reads, "WAIT 'TIL YOU SEE! THE CUTEST GARDEN GUESTS EVER!!!" with a pink flower graphic overlaid.

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

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
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

  1. Hopefully, Mrs. Fox decides she likes your garden. We noted far less rabbit damage, when a fox hung around our cul-de sac. Even, our grand-dog visiting means less appearances in the yard, until the squirrels and rabbits realize she has gone home, her scent has dissipated.
    As always, your gardens are beautiful, the more pictures the merrier! Kim

    Reply

    1. I appreciate that so much Kim! Thank you! I hope the foxes help with all that this year – we had a lot of rabbit damage last year! It was tough to keep on top of it. xo

      Reply