Bricks 'n Blooms Weekly 239

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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

In the Garden

The gardens are POPPING off with summer blooms right now! China asters, strawflowers, dahlias, zinnias and gomphrena are all in bloom and taking over my cutting garden. I’ve made a few cut flower arrangements already and am loving the color palette this year.

It’s not that I didn’t love last year’s, but I drilled down on Floret’s vintage seed selection and while really beautiful, it was a little too neutral and pale for my taste. So this year, I went all in on pinks and purples with touches of peach.

Of course a few volunteer plants have made their way into the beds adding it’s own aesthetic but that’s part of the fun. Here are a few pics from the gardens this week!

A vibrant garden with blooming pink and purple flowers, lush green foliage, and tall trees in the background under a partly sunny sky.

A vibrant garden bed with purple, pink, and red flowers lines a lawn. Tall green trees and a small building are visible in the background under soft sunlight.

A garden scene with purple, white, and red flowers in bloom, lush green foliage, and a dark green fence in the background, with sunlight filtering through the 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!

Two large yellow dahlia flowers bloom in a vibrant garden, surrounded by green leaves. In the background, there is a fountain, various colorful flowers, and a yellow garden shed with white trim. — Dahlia ‘Kogane Fubuki’

Purple globe amaranth flowers grow through black wire plant supports in a lush garden bed with green foliage and soil visible. — Proven Selections® Lil’ Forest™ Plum Bachelor Button (Gomphrena hybrid)

Cluster of vibrant pink coneflowers with orange-brown centers in a garden, surrounded by lush green foliage and other blooming flowers in the background. — Coneflowers ‘Kismet Raspberry’

A garden with lush green hosta plants topped with light purple flowers, and a cluster of bright pink impatiens in front. A red garden faucet and a green fence are visible in the background. — Hostas and Sunpatiens

Pool Deck Update

We still have some work to do in the pool area. The guys are coming back to regrade the gardens because they are sitting a little too high and still need to install the lighting. After wrapping things up we also realized we need to add more drainage and repair the retaining wall so that will be another day’s work as well but hopefully not as messy! We moved all of our pool furniture back in and have been using the space. I LOVE IT!

Another Visit to Google!

This week, I ventured into the City to attend the ShopSocial Summit with YouTube at Google in NYC. It’s always a thrill to be invited and attend these events where I can meet other creators, brands, and learn best practices. I feel blessed that I live close enough to make it happen! Chris drove me in so we could dine out after. Overall, it was a great day!

Stacy ling with shoulder-length brown hair and glasses smiles for a selfie inside a modern lobby with a green plant wall and a large, partially visible Google sign in the background.

Girls Brunch

Last Sunday, Kenzie and I visited my daughter Shana in her new apartment and went out to brunch at Amanda’s in Hoboken, NJ. We had the best time and the food was AMAZING! Will definitely go back!

Tori’s Birthday

Well, it’s official. I’ve no longer got children in their teens. Tori officially turned twenty this week! We celebrated this milestone with her at one of her favorite restaurants and had the best time!

And Today Mark’s 29 Years!

My husband and I have been in Vermont the last few days for our 29th anniversary! That’s a long time right? We decided to do a quick getaway for some lake vibes, good food and downtime from the daily grind. The weather was great and we are enjoying a quiet weekend.

christopher ling driving a boat on harriman reservoir in wilmington, vermont

Recent Appearances and Mentions

The Gardening With Joey & Holly (2025)

In this episode, I joined Joey and Holly to discuss a range of topics that include the cottagecore lifestyle, freezing tomatoes, how I got started with gardening, and so much more!

The Spruce (2025)

In this amazing feature with The Spruce, I drilled down and shared what people regret the most in their gardens…and did not hold back!

A lush garden with colorful flowers, greenery, and a winding stone path. In the foreground, purple and white blooms surround a decorative metal garden ornament. Sunlight filters through trees in the background.

Beyond the Vase: Make Your Summer Flowers Last & Last!

Your garden is likely bursting with loads of color right now! From easy-going zinnias to beautiful dahlias or roses and cheerful cosmos, mid-summer is truly peak bloom season. But as gorgeous as fresh-cut flowers are in a vase, their beauty is fleeting.

What if you could hold onto that peak summer charm for months, or even years? Good news – you can! Beyond just enjoying them fresh, preserving your flowers allows you to capture your garden’s peak beauty and create lasting memories or beautiful decor. And nows the time to start thinking about how you want to do it. Here are my top tips for harvesting and preserving your summer flowers.

Tips for Harvesting The Perfect Blooms

Before you preserve, a good harvest sets you up for success:

Timing is Key: Cut flowers in the early morning or late evening when they are fully hydrated and temperatures are cooler. Avoid cutting in the midday sun.
Use Clean, Sharp Tools: This is crucial! A clean cut with sharp Garden Snips or Pruners ensures the stems can absorb water easily and prevents damage to the parent plant. They’re essential for healthy cuts and beautiful results.
Hydrate Immediately: As soon as you cut, place stems into a bucket of clean water. Remove any leaves that would fall below the waterline in your vase to prevent bacterial growth.
Harvest at the Right Stage: For many flowers, cutting them when the bud is just beginning to open (not fully open) can lead to better drying and preservation results.

How to Dry & Preserve Your Flowers

Looking for step-by-step tutorials or advanced tips for flower preservation? I got you! Check out these comprehensive guides and fresh ideas below!

A stone wall borders a vibrant garden bed filled with bright pink flowers and lush green foliage. Trees, shrubs, and ornamental grasses create a layered, colorful background in a landscaped outdoor setting.

Preserve Their Beauty: Tools for Lasting Memories

Once you’ve harvested, it’s time to transform your fresh flowers into everlasting treasures!

For Flat & Delicate Beauty: The Flower Press: This Flower Press Kit allows you to gently flatten and dry individual blooms or even small sprays. This classic method is perfect for creating framed art, greeting cards, or adding a delicate touch to journals. It captures the intricate details and colors in a two-dimensional form that lasts. My favorite flower to use with a flower press? Pansies!
For 3D Perfection & Vibrant Color: Silica Gel Want to keep your flowers looking as close to fresh as possible, retaining their shape and much of their original color? Silica Gel is the way to go! This desiccant absorbs moisture quickly, making it ideal for preserving roses, zinnias, dahlias, and other full-bodied blooms. Simply embed your flowers in the gel, and in a few days, they’ll be perfectly preserved. I use this with kitchen storage containers (do not reuse them with food though!)
For Classic Charm: Air Drying & Dedicated Drying Racks Many flowers, like lavender, hydrangeas, or statice, dry beautifully simply by air drying. For best results, use a Flower Drying Rack like this or this, designed to provide optimal air circulation. Simply gather small bunches, tie them securely with Natural Twine, and hang them upside down on the rack in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area. This traditional method results in rustic, charming arrangements perfect for home decor.

Close-up of bundles of vibrant pink flowers hanging upside-down from a rustic wooden branch, with other dried flower arrangements blurred in the background. The flowers are part of a decorative display, evoking a cozy and natural atmosphere.

DIY Drying Rack Ideas!

If you don’t have a dedicated drying space like I do, here are some ways to create a simple drying spot for your home.

Clothesline & Clothespins: Attach flowers (single stems or small bunches) to a sturdy clothesline with clothespins in a quiet, dry corner of a spare room or basement.
Coat Hangers: Tie small bunches of flowers to the bottom bar of a coat hanger and hang it from a curtain rod, closet bar, or even a doorframe.
Empty Closet/Cupboard: Any cool, dark, and dry space with good airflow is a candidate. Just hang flowers from the existing bars or hooks.

Don’t let the fleeting beauty of summer blooms pass you by! With these simple techniques and the right tools, you can enjoy the artistry of your garden long after the season ends.

Happy Gardening!

Two blooming zinnia flowers, one light orange and one bright pink, surrounded by green leaves in a garden setting.

What I’m Shopping For This Week

It’s Wayfair’s black friday in July sale weekend where you can get up to 80% off. I am interested in furnishing the pool gardens, so here is what I’m shopping for in addition to a few other items!

I needed to purchase some more of this bloom booster to keep my flowers producing!
I’ve always wanted one of these round pool loungers and had no idea they open up to become a seating area!
And I really want this dining set but it’s no longer in stock! I’m on the waitlist.

This year, I want to wrap up my indoor spaces and have been on the hunt for some floral artwork. Here are a few pieces I found that I ordered!

Since I don’t use curtains, these framed botanical panels to flank my living room windows will add a lot of color and interest to the space.
I bought this beautiful cottage wall art for my bedroom.
While I didn’t purchase this, I would love to find a spot for it!
I bought these framed botanical prints to flank the windows in my bedroom.

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

A lush garden with a variety of colorful flowers, green shrubs, and leafy plants, bordered by a stone path and surrounded by tall trees under a partly cloudy sky.

What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms

It was a fun week on the blog!

Plan the Perfect Elegant Hawaiian Theme Party

Get inspired to throw the ultimate Hawaiian bash! This Hawaiian party theme guide covers festive decorations, delicious luau eats, and activities for a chic tropical celebration.

Creative Hawaiian luau dinner setting featuring a pineapple as a quirky table centerpiece among lush floral arrangements and citrus accents. — Bricks ‘n Blooms

Midsummer Perennial Flowers List: 15 Long-Blooming Choices for Easy Color

Want an easy-care garden? Explore my top perennial flowers list featuring 15 long-blooming beauties that thrive and add vibrant color in midsummer.

Bright pink coneflowers with spiky orange centers bloom in a lush garden. Green leaves surround the flowers, with more coneflowers and greenery visible in the background.

Sunflower Decor Ideas to Brighten Your Home

Discover easy and beautiful ways to use sunflower decor to brighten your home and create a cheerful atmosphere.

A wooden side table with drawers holds a basket of sunflowers, a plant, and a butterfly-themed artwork. Below, there's a basket with potatoes and two potted plants. Sunlight streams through a nearby window, highlighting the cozy, rustic decor.

Grow a Dreamy Cottage Garden: 6 Quick Tips for Lush, Informal Beauty

Create your dream cottage garden with these easy tips! Get practical advice on plants, design, & low-maintenance beauty for a picturesque yard.

A lush cottage garden with vibrant pink, orange, yellow, and white flowers, green foliage, and a small statue of a sitting cat among the plants. A green fence and trees are visible in the background.

Easy Peach Dump Cake Recipe (No Peeling Required)

Dump & Done! This easy peach dump cake recipe is your sweet summer shortcut. No peeling peaches needed for this delicious dessert!

A slice of recipe for peach dump cake topped with whipped cream sits on a plate with a fork. There are cinnamon sprinkles and peach slices nearby, and more cobbler and stacked plates are in the background.

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.

This is a great list of the best flowers for pressing.
This decoupage seashell on canvas is perfect for summer.
These 5 beach reads are perfect for a summer getaway.

Thank you so much for following along.

Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 239