Bricks 'n Blooms Weekly 234

Hi there!

I hope you had an amazing week!

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Random Things Happening Behind the Scenes at Bricks ‘n Blooms

In the Garden

After the rain, it was HOT and humid here in New Jersey. The plants are loving it but my hair…not so much! LOL!

Since spraying more rabbit repellent on my flowers, I’m seeing a decline in damage. And I resprayed everything for deer too. While we were in VT last weekend, I saw a deer walk through the gardens on the Ring camera we have set up. So of course, I got on that the second we got back.

My houseplants are thriving in this heat! Pushing out all kinds of new foliage and generally loving life on my porches. And I bought a few newbies cause…I saw some varieties online that I don’t have and impulse bought them. I’ll share a rundown below – the foliage is super cool and they’ll flower too!

A garden scene with a small pond and water fountain in the foreground, surrounded by rocks and blooming flowers, with several wooden Adirondack chairs arranged in a circle on a stone patio in the background.

I’m setting up my supports in the cut flower garden this week. Instead of using the grid trellis supports, I decided to try something different with green twine so it would be less visible. So far so good it looks nice – as my plants grow, I’ll test how well it holds them up. Cause at the end of the day…that is the purpose.

And I am thanking myself 10x over for having set up drip irrigation to all of my planters and soaker hoses in my raised garden beds this year. With the intense heat and humidity, I would not want to be standing out there watering everything!

I used drip irrigation in my raised beds last year and they worked but the water pressure was too low so this year, I opted for soaker hoses instead and they are perfect. So this is what I will be using moving forward in that particular garden.

The Secret Garden

This week, I’m sharing some more pics from the secret garden where we’ve got our front yard pond and firepit. If you remember, I planted elfin thyme in between the patio stone and look how much it has filled in already! I’m sure all the rain has helped these take and cannot wait to watch it grow more. It’s exactly what I envisioned, and hopefully it will bloom next year. I’ll be removing those rocks out in between, but I left them there for the time being until the plants fill in more.

A stone path leads to a circle of wooden Adirondack chairs in a lush, green garden surrounded by plants, flowers, and tall trees.

Plants of the Week!

I’m highlighting some favorite garden blooms from the week so you can see the plants and varieties I’m growing. Here are a few that I’m loving this week!

Bright pink astilbe flowers with feathery plumes stand tall among green foliage in a garden, with large rocks and other plants in the background. — Astilbe – don’t know the variety

Cluster of pink and white flowers with yellow centers surrounded by green leaves, blooming in a vibrant garden setting with a blurred path and more flowers in the background. — Appleblossom Begonias

Clusters of bright pink bee balm flowers with fringed petals bloom among green leaves in an outdoor garden setting. The background shows more flowers and blurred greenery. — Monarda Upscale Lavender Taffeta

Pink and white bell-shaped flowers grow in clusters atop tall green stems with reddish leaves, set against a backdrop of green foliage and a dark green fence. — Penstemon Midnight Masquerade

A garden pond with a central water fountain surrounded by lush green plants, pink flowers, and a wooden footbridge in the background. Hanging lanterns are visible among the greenery. — Hostas are doing amazing!

Book Signing Fun in Mendham, New Jersey!

Chapter One Bookstore graciously hosted me for a book signing event yesterday. It was so great to see so many friends both old and new! Thank you so much for coming out and saying hi!

Two women stand smiling side by side in front of a "Chapter One" bookstore backdrop. One wears a cream top with black pants; the other wears a sleeveless orange floral dress. Bookshelves and chairs are visible around them. — Shelley from Calypso in the Country stopped by!

A woman in an orange floral sleeveless dress and sandals takes a mirror selfie in a bright, stylish bedroom with white furniture, a patterned rug, and a large window. — OOTD – Shop the Look here!

Summer Gardener’s Sale!

It’s Father’s Day weekend! Celebrate the gardener in him (or you!) with a fantastic 20% off everything in my online shop! It’s the perfect time to “Get Your Bloom On” with super cozy apparel, designed to bring a little sunshine to your wardrobe. I’ve also got your gardening must-haves covered: think comfy garden gloves, sunhats, handy snips, and the best-smelling hand soap to refresh after a day in the dirt. Plus, so much more!

Use CODE SALE20 to get 20% off everything in the shop. PLUS, get free shipping on orders over $75 with CODE FREESHIP.

Shop the Sale & Get Your Bloom On Here!

A smiling person wearing a straw hat, sunglasses, and a bright pink shirt sits among blooming flowers in a garden, with a green fence and trees in the background.

Got Holes in Your Petunias? Stop Budworms Before They Destroy Your Blooms!

Have you ever noticed your annual flowers like petunias, geraniums, calibrachoa, and snapdragons looking ragged and refusing to bloom? The culprit? Oftentimes, it’s budworm damage!

These tiny caterpillars can wreak havoc on a wide variety of your favorite summer annuals, munching on buds and flowers from the inside out. If you’ve noticed holes in petals, buds that never open, or mysterious black “frass” (that’s caterpillar poop!) on your plants, budworms are likely to blame.

Today, I’m sharing the fixes to keep your blooms looking as beautiful as they should! Here are some organic, effective strategies to try.

A flower bed with clusters of vibrant purple and pink petunias bordered by rocks, set against a green garden background with leafy plants and a fence.

1) Target with Bt – Bacillus thuringiensis

For a powerful, yet gentle solution, I highly recommend applying Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis). This organic, caterpillar-specific bacteria is harmless to humans, pets, and beneficial insects like bees, but deadly to budworms once ingested. Simply spray your affected plants, and when the budworms feed, they stop eating within hours and quickly die. It’s an excellent preventative and curative measure! I just did this with my supertunia border in the cottage garden this week.

2) For Tough Cases, Spinosad-Based Insecticide

For more persistent infestations or if you prefer a different approach, a Spinosad-based insecticide offers effective control. Spinosad is a naturally derived substance that works on contact and when ingested. Apply it in the evening when pollinators are less active to minimize impact on beneficial insects.

3) Vigilance and Hand-Picking

The best defense starts with early detection! Regularly inspect your petunias, geraniums, nicotiana, and other susceptible annuals for any signs of damage or tiny caterpillars. Hand-picking and destroying any budworms you find, especially in the early stages, can significantly reduce their population. Look for them hiding within buds or under leaves.

4) Consider Plant Resistance

While not a direct treatment, if you’ve struggled with budworms year after year, note that some plant varieties show more resistance. For example, some gardeners find ivy geraniums are less susceptible than zonal varieties. Opt for annual flowers that are more resistant to this type of damage, so it’s less work for you!

A white stone planter filled with vibrant pink and orange flowers sits on a round metal tray, with greenery softly blurred in the background.

What I’m Shopping For This Week

My good friend Janey Santos from Dig Plant Water Repeat wrote her first book! Get it here.
I bought some vinegar to make my homemade weed killer that works.
I also snagged more worm castings to help feed my plants and improve the soil organically.
And I bought one of these planters – I want to test it out with some houseplants.

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

A decorative outdoor planter filled with lush green foliage, pink petunias, and trailing yellow-green plants, placed on a stone patio with garden steps and greenery in the background.

What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms

It was a fun week on the blog!

How to Make Snapdragons Keep Blooming

Learn how to make snapdragons keep blooming all season with expert care tips, deadheading, pinching, and cutting flowers for continuous color in your garden.

Lush cutting garden beds filled with a stunning variety of larkspur, calendula, and snapdragons in shades of purple, pink, and yellow, complemented by green foliage and a whimsical out-of-focus terracotta pot in the background. How to support tall flowers with netting method.

Growing Sunflowers from Seed

Anyone can grow sunflowers! Learn everything you need to know about growing sunflowers from seed in your flower garden. From choosing the right variety to watering and care, this guide makes sunflower success a breeze.

A vibrant garden scene showcasing three sunflowers with bright yellow and red petals and dark centers. The sunflowers stand tall among lush green foliage and other potted plants, with outdoor furniture and a dense background of greenery visible.

Easy Coconut Shrimp Tacos Recipe

Forget takeout and whip up this restaurant-worthy coconut shrimp tacos recipe in under 30 minutes! Easy, breezy instructions, fresh ingredients, & finger-lickin’ good. Skip the wait and make magic at home!

Two coconut shrimp tacos topped with mango salsa and shredded cabbage on flour tortillas. Accompanying the tacos are bowls of chopped red onions, green onions, cilantro, and wedged limes on a colorful table setting—perfect alongside coconut shrimp tacos for a delightful seafood feast.

Collecting Milk Glass Guide for Beginners

Looking for pretty vintage glassware? Learn how to collect milk glass and spot the good stuff with these simple tips.

Bountiful bouquet of zinnias with rich hues ranging from deep magenta to bright lime green, presented in an elegant white textured flower vase called milk glass set against a tranquil garden pond background. — Milk Glass Vase with Zinnia Flowers

Super Creamy Ricotta and Spinach Quiche Recipe

Super creamy spinach quiche recipe! Made with fresh garden spinach & rich ricotta. Perfect for any meal, with crustless & freezer options.

A baked ricotta and spinach quiche with a golden crust sits on a board, with one slice removed and placed on a plate nearby. Chopped herbs are sprinkled on the quiche and plate, and a fork rests on a second empty plate.

How to Keep Cut Hydrangeas Fresh: The Secrets to Long-Lasting Blooms

Keep cut hydrangeas fresh and vibrant for weeks with these anti-wilting tips! Plus, learn how to revive droopy blooms.

A lush garden scene featuring a large patch of bright blue hydrangeas in full bloom, surrounded by green leaves. Some white hydrangeas are visible in the background, with tall trees and dense foliage completing the natural setting.

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.

These tips for mixing and matching vintage dishes for patriotic decor.
This super cool patriotic wreath DIY
This homemade dill dip is a great way to use your homegrown herbs.
And this easy summer berry dessert will be a hit at your next backyard bbq.

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

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