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Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 240

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

In the Garden

The dahlias, zinnias, strawflowers, gomphrena, and china asters have TAKEN OFF. So my cutting garden is in full swing. It’s so amazing to see all the hard work come to fruition because now it’s time to enjoy it all. Here are some recent pics I took!

Pink zinnia flowers in full bloom with green leaves, surrounded by a lush garden under a soft, setting sun. Tall trees and blurred greenery are visible in the background.
A lush garden with colorful flowers, green plants, small clay pots on stakes, and a stone fountain in the center. Trees and hanging string lights are visible in the background.

But that’s not all because my garden with a few is totally shining! Now that my volunteer gladiola is done, this view couldn’t be better. Look at all those pretty garden layers!

A colorful garden with blooming flowers, including pink, purple, and white varieties, lines a stone border beside a driveway. Trees and a house with a pointed roof are visible in the background.
A vibrant garden features tall purple flowers surrounded by clusters of bright pink, orange, and yellow blooms, with green foliage and trees in the background. A road and a bicycle are visible in the distance.

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!

Close-up of several orange and yellow strawflowers with green leaves, set in a lush garden. The background shows more flowers, foliage, and soft sunlight filtering through trees.
King Salmon Strawflowers
A close-up of a white and yellow dahlia flower with layered petals, surrounded by green leaves. A lattice fence and blurred flowers are visible in the background.
Platinum Blonde Dahlias
Two round, green zinnia flowers with layered petals and a hint of pink at the center, surrounded by lush green leaves in a garden setting.
Zinnia Queeny Lime with Blush
Purple salvia flowers in focus in the foreground, with blurred red and pink flowers and green foliage in the background, creating a colorful garden scene.
Rockin’ the Blues Salvia
A pale peach-colored aster flower blooms among tall green leaves and stems in bright sunlight.
King Size China Asters

Our 29th Anniversary

Chris and I spent a few days in Vermont last weekend to celebrate 29 years! Hard to believe so much time has passed. We tried a new place for dinner, Clara’s Cucina on the mountain by the flea market and it was AWESOME! Highly recommend to anyone visiting the Dover, Vermont area. The view is amazing and they have gorgeous gardens to boot!

While we were in VT, we went to the outdoor flea market and did a little thrifting. I found some great ginger jars, vases, and so much more. I can’t wait to share some of my finds with you in a later post!

A smiling man wearing glasses and a light blue shirt stands next to a smiling woman in a white tank top. They are outdoors in a sunny, green garden with trees and chairs in the background.

Pool Update

We had a little more work done this week as it was necessary to tweak the drainage and regrade the beds surrounding the pool. During the construction, the main irrigation line was cut so we still need to fix that and get the lighting installed. But we mulched and cleaned things up so it’s usable!

I also just bought a new patio dining set so we can enjoy some great food poolside! It should arrive this week (hopefully!)

Late Summer Decorating

As we move into August, this is about the time I start preparing for fall decor. No I am not putting out any pumpkins yet! It is way too early! But I am bringing lots of bouquets indoors, decorating with sunflowers and trying to finish my spaces.

I’ve left so many empty walls and such after painting my living room and redoing our bedroom that I want to add more finishing touches so it feels welcoming. I’ll share some pics with you in a few weeks as I pull them together but it’s looking good so far! Here’s a peek at my bathroom with a few of my favorite houseplants!

A cozy bathroom features a dark wood vanity with a marble countertop, potted plants, beige towels, and a wall mirror. Sunlight filters in through a window with blinds, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

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!

Bright pink flowers and clusters of small white blossoms bloom among green foliage in a garden, with a dark fence and leafy trees visible in the background.

Too Hot to Garden? Stay Cool, Keep It Neat!

The sun is blazing, the humidity is high, and while your garden is growing beautifully, so are the weeds and the lawn creeping into your beds!

We all love a neat and tidy garden, but finding the motivation to tackle weeding, edging, or deadheading when it’s scorching outside can be a real challenge.

You don’t have to choose between a pristine garden and staying cool! I’ve got smart strategies and essential tools designed to help you work more efficiently, beat the heat, and keep your outdoor space looking its best, even when the thermometer climbs.

General Tips for Hot Weather Gardening

Remember these simple strategies to make summer gardening more enjoyable:

  • Go Early or Late: Tackle tasks in the cooler morning or evening hours. It makes a huge difference!
  • Stay Hydrated: Always have water or a cool drink nearby.
  • Take Breaks: Step into the shade frequently to cool down.
  • Prioritize: Focus on the most essential tasks first. I like to choose one garden (or a section) so it doesn’t feel overwhelming and I get the job done.
A large dahlia flower with pale pink and white petals blooms among green foliage, with a bud and unopened flower nearby. Terracotta pots are visible on stakes in the background.

Work Smarter, Not Harder: Tools for Efficiency

Using the right tools can drastically cut down your effort and time while you are out there:

  • Effortless Weeding: Instead of kneeling and pulling, consider a tool like the Cobra Head Weeding Tool. Its unique design lets you slice through weeds with minimal bending, making quick work of cultivating tight spaces around your plants.
  • Crisp Edges with Ease: Achieving those clean, professional borders around your beds and pathways doesn’t have to be a major workout. An effective tool like the RootSlayer Edging Tool is designed to cut through sod and even small roots quickly, helping you maintain a tidy garden edge much faster.
  • Smart Pruning & Deadheading: Keeping your plants healthy and encouraging more blooms is vital. For general shaping and tougher stems, sharp, ergonomic Pruners make clean cuts. For delicate deadheading and quick trims, a pair of nimble Garden Snips saves time and hand fatigue, helping your garden look its best with less effort. I have a few pairs and added these needle nose garden shears to my shop because they are so good!
  • Tidying Spent Plants (Without Disturbing Neighbors): If you have cool-season veggies in your kitchen garden that are past their prime (like bolted lettuce), pulling them can disturb the roots of adjacent plants. The versatile Hori Hori Knife lets you cleanly cut back spent plants at the base, minimizing disturbance and keeping your beds neat with minimal fuss. I use this often!
Yellow and white dahlias bloom among green leaves, with more flowers and blurred trees visible in the background, creating a lush garden scene.

Beat the Heat: Stay Cool & Comfortable

Working in the garden doesn’t mean you have to suffer! Prioritizing your comfort helps you get more done without overheating:

  • Create Your Own Shade: A Movable Shade Umbrella for Gardening can be a game-changer. Position it directly over your workspace to block the relentless sun, significantly lowering the temperature around you and allowing you to garden for longer stretches without feeling overwhelmed by the heat.
  • Essential Sun Protection: A wide-brimmed Shade Hat is a must-have. It’s a simple yet effective way to protect your face and neck from harmful UV rays and help keep your head cooler, preventing heat exhaustion while you’re tending to your plants.
  • Comfort for Your Knees: Spending time weeding or planting close to the ground can be tough on your knees, especially on hot surfaces. A comfortable Garden Kneeler provides essential cushioning, letting you work more comfortably and efficiently without constantly standing up and bending down.
Pink and purple flowers bloom in a lush garden with green grass, trees, and a paved path in the background, along with a white house partly visible among the greenery.

What I’m Shopping For This Week

  • I broke down and bought another pair of birkenstock sandals. While I love the ones I bought, I miss not having the thong. These are great for everyday wear and my thong sandals are more for going out!
  • I was thinking about getting these instead, but I love the double strap and feel like they are more casual.
  • For my home, I bought this for one of my houseplants. Not sure which one is getting the royal treatment yet, but one of them will.
  • I also bought this adorable frog watering can…I mean…right??????

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

What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms

It was a fun week on the blog!

14+ Outdoor Garden Party Ideas

Forget the boring backyard BBQ. Wait until you try these charming outdoor garden party ideas! Whether you are serving brunch or dinner, this post shares stunning ideas for every occasion.

A beautifully set outdoor dining table perfect for a garden party features white scalloped plates, gold flatware wrapped in napkins, amber glasses, votive candles, and vibrant pink and orange flower arrangements amid lush greenery.

African Violet Not Blooming? Your Guide to Gorgeous Flowers Again

If your African violet is not blooming, I’ve got some fixes for you! Discover common reasons like light, soil, and watering issues. Get expert tips to encourage vibrant flowers on your African violet again!

A clay pot filled with vibrant purple and pink African violets surrounded by green leaves sits on a wooden surface. A decorative basket and a ceramic pitcher with floral accents are blurred in the background.

Hydrangea Not Blooming? Here’s Why

Have you noticed your hydrangea not blooming well this year? Here are 7 reasons why hydrangeas fail to bloom and how to fix it.

A garden with vibrant blue and white hydrangeas in full bloom. The flowers are dense and lush, creating a striking contrast against the greenery. A green wooden fence and tall trees in the background complete the idyllic scene.

Garden-Fresh Zucchini Lasagna With Savory Sausage

Enjoy lighter, garden-fresh zucchini lasagna with savory sausage. This no-pasta recipe delivers authentic Italian flavor without the heavy feeling!

A plate with a serving of baked zucchini lasagna topped with melted cheese and herbs, surrounded by red and yellow cherry tomatoes. Zucchini and a bowl of zucchini slices are nearby on a wooden board. A fork rests on the plate.

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 a trained master gardener, content creator, and author of three gardening books focused on creating beautiful, easy-care spaces. She shares practical gardening advice, seasonal inspiration, and ideas for bringing the beauty of the garden indoors.

Stacy gardens and films from her 1850 farmhouse in northern New Jersey (Zone 6b) and has 30 years of hands-on experience.

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6 Comments

  1. Stacy
    OMG, your dahlias are amazing. I’m glad you had a great anniversary and love the sneak peek of your bathroom. Thank you for sharing my seashell art. You are the best. Love you! 🥰

    Reply

  2. Such delight! Again such delightful pictures of the garden. The frog watering jug is just too cute, do you have a fish-glug jug by chance to keep company? Kim

    Reply