Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 241
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 gardens are GORGEOUS this week with lots of hydrangea flowers, hardy hibiscus blooms, dahlias, and so much more. My cosmos are slow to go but getting there and the sunflowers are growing very tall! It’s just a matter of time before they start flowering too!
This week, we repaired the drip irrigation line in the pool garden. After redoing the patio, the line was severed and we needed them to come back in and reconnect everything so my plants are getting the hydration they need to thrive.
Some of my planters have seen better days – one in particular is pretty done cause it was not watered while I was away two weeks ago and I haven’t been successful at getting it to rebound. Ah well…I’ll have to remove the plants and plant something else in the meantime.
I have been cutting flowers daily to make fresh bouquets. There are SOOOOO many zinnia flowers I almost don’t know what to do with them all! It’s a good problem to have – LOL!
Another Project!
As the pool patio renovation continues, the irrigation company came out and repaired all the lines that were severed from construction. It’s been hot and dry here lately so the plants that were moved around are not loving life so much right now as a result.
But the irrigation is mostly back up and running (there is a small section in the wall garden that needs to be repaired) so the plants should bounce back. I am planning to redo these gardens anyway, so to be honest, I’m not all that upset about it. Big changes are going to happen in this garden come September!
First Pizza in the Blackstone!
And if you have been following along, we bought a blackstone pizza oven and griddle with an airfryer. Christ just assembled everything last week so this is the first time we got to use any of it. And let me tell you…that pizza was so good! I love a good margarita pizza and this was so easy to make. I know you can whip up a pizza on the Blackstone griddle too, but using the pizza oven was a lot of fun and the crust was like…perfect. So I HIGHLY recommend it if you are in the market for one.
Our New Patio Set
The new patio dining set arrived this week and what a great addition it is to our pool area. It arrived on Friday and while I didn’t pay ahead to have the guys assemble it upon delivery – they did it anyway for me! Which saved Chris some building time and we got to enjoy it a little more.
It suits the space really well and now after seeing it here? I decided to get another umbrella and stand that we use with our chaise lounge chairs. It will fit and look really good. I honestly can’t wait to see this space come together next summer when I get the plantings in gear.
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!
Don’t Let Powdery Mildew Take Over: Fast Tips & Solutions!
Have you noticed a ghostly white, powdery dusting appearing on your plant leaves? That’s likely powdery mildew, a super common fungal issue that can pop up in late summer, especially after humid spells or cool nights follow warm days.
It might look harmless, but it can weaken your plants, stunt growth, and even reduce those beautiful blooms we all work so hard for.
The good news? You don’t have to surrender your garden to these fuzzy white spots! With a few smart moves and the right solutions, you can protect your plants and keep them looking amazing all season long.
First Defense: Prevent It Before It Starts!
Prevention is always the best medicine. Here’s how to make your garden less appealing to powdery mildew in the long run:
- Give Them Space: Good airflow is key! Make sure your plants aren’t too crowded. Proper spacing allows air to circulate between leaves, helping them dry faster after rain or dew. It’s OK to thin your plants out!
- Water Smart: Water your plants at the base, directly at the soil level, rather than overhead, especially in the evening. Wet foliage, combined with cool night temperatures, creates the perfect breeding ground for mildew. This is why it’s so important to water in the earlier part of the day where possible!
- Embrace the Sun: Most plants prone to powdery mildew prefer plenty of sunlight. Ensure they’re getting adequate sun exposure to keep leaves dry.
- Choose Wisely: For future planting, look for varieties that are specifically labeled as “powdery mildew resistant.”
Spot It, Stop It: Dealing with an Outbreak
Caught it already? Here’s what to do as soon as you spot those tell-tale white patches:
- Prune Affected Parts: Immediately snip off and discard any leaves, stems, or buds that show signs of powdery mildew. Don’t compost them, as the spores can spread! Use clean Pruners or Garden Snips for this and clean them in between plants so you don’t pass anything around. I have a few pairs and added these needle nose garden shears to my shop because they are so good!
- Keep it Tidy: Regularly clean up fallen leaves and garden debris, as spores can overwinter in plant matter. DO NOT COMPOST THEM!
Organic Solutions: Your Garden’s Best Defense
Once mildew appears, these organic options can help you fight back effectively:
- Neem Oil: This incredible multi-tasker is a natural fungicide and insecticide. Neem Oil works by disrupting the mildew’s growth and life cycle. Apply it thoroughly to both the top and underside of affected leaves to smother and control the fungus.
- Copper-Based Fungicides: For a robust line of defense against a wide range of fungal and bacterial diseases, Copper-Based Fungicides are an excellent organic choice. They create a protective barrier on plant surfaces to prevent spores from germinating and spreading.
- Beneficial Microbes: Some products contain Beneficial Microbes that can help plants naturally resist pathogens and improve their overall health, making them more resilient to disease pressures.
- DIY Baking Soda Spray (Quick Fix!): For a simple home remedy, you can try mixing 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 1 quart of water and a few drops of mild liquid soap. Spray on affected leaves. While not a long-term cure, it can help inhibit mildew growth.
Don’t let powdery mildew ruin your gorgeous late-season garden! By following these fast tips and using effective organic solutions, you can keep your plants healthy, lush, and beautiful throughout the rest of summer and well into fall.
What I’m Shopping For This Week
- I bought some new patio umbrellas for the pool and weighted umbrella stand to keep them in place.
- My new patio dining set arrived! I love it!
- I’m thinking about getting this plant stand…it would look so pretty in my plant room!
- I’m in love with these throw pillows for my living room! That sage green is everything.
My Top Trending Gardening Products This Week
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!
How to Dry Hydrangeas Perfectly
Learn 4 easy, foolproof methods to dry hydrangeas perfectly without wilting and preserve their beauty for months to come.
Flamingo Plant Care
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Malibu Sunset Cocktail: Best Mixed Drink with Rum
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Stunning Hydrangea Wreath DIY: Craft It for Free
Learn how to use materials you already have to create this beautiful hydrangea wreath.
Italian Sausage and Peppers Recipe Done Right: The Only Recipe You’ll Ever Need
Get the perfect Italian Sausage and Peppers recipe every time with this foolproof recipe. Minimal mess, maximum flavor—it’s the only one you’ll ever need.
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 9 ways to decorate with demijohns.
- This easy DIY fall acorn idea.
- These handmade clay pottery projects.
Thank you so much for following along.
Enjoy a beautiful day! xo
As usual, such gorgeous pictures of your gardens. Have you heard of the newest invasive critter going after Boxwoods? Do you have any, I think, I may have one shrub affected. Kim
Hi Kim – can you please email me a photo and I can look at it for you? Boxwoods have had problems in recent years – growers have been improving them with more resistant varieties.