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Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 249

ByStacy Ling Posted on

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 Gardens

2025 is certainly shaping up to be the year of major renovations because we just started work on our driveway this week. It has been falling into disrepair for a while now and after doing the pool patio work, the asphalt was truly falling apart.

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So this week, I spent some time moving nepeta out of the driveway garden and moving them around so they don’t get demolished during construction. I moved many of them in the front porch garden and have to say…I like them there!

I may wind up dividing them so I can make a catmint border going along the new curbing that will go in. Hopefully, this upgrade will help keep trucks out of the garden! We are widening it by a foot!

Here’s a sneak peek of my new plantings in the pool garden. I’ll be putting out a YouTube video later this week sharing what’s planted!

A landscaped garden bed with green plants and white flowers runs alongside a green wooden fence and a concrete walkway, with fallen leaves scattered on the soil. Trees and shrubs are visible in the background.
Clusters of purple and blue hydrangea flowers with green leaves grow along a garden bed next to a green wooden fence. Fallen brown leaves are scattered on the ground.
Let’s Dance Skyview Hydrangea
Pale green and white hydrangea flowers bloom among green leaves in a garden bed, with a green wooden fence and scattered brown leaves in the background.
Powerball Hydrangea

Weekend Fun

Chris and I escaped to our Vermont cabin for the weekend so we could do a little leaf peeping, stack some firewood to prep for winter, and meet up with my friends Eric and Christopher from Grow For Me Gardening. They live within a drive so we met up halfway for dinner at the Publyk House in Bennington for a tasty meal. It was so fun!

And let me tell you the food was so delicious. If you are ever in the area, the menu is fabulous and there is outdoor seating with the most incredible views.

Four adults, three men and one woman, stand close together indoors, smiling for a selfie. They appear happy and are casually dressed. Warm lighting and wooden decor are visible in the background.
Best time with Eric and Christopher from Grow For Me Gardening

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!

A close-up of a vibrant dahlia flower with pink and yellow petals, set against a lush green garden background.
Dahlia Kogane Fubuki
A person wearing a maroon sleeve holds a bright purple flower among many similar blooms in a lush garden. A terra cotta pot is seen upside down on a stake in the blurred background.
Gomphrena Qis Purple
Close-up of two pink and cream dahlias in full bloom, surrounded by green foliage and more purple flowers, with a blurred background of trees and sunlight.
Dahlia Take Off
A garden filled with white and pink flowers is illuminated by the warm glow of a sunset in the background, with tall trees framing the scene.
Cleome Seniorita Blanca

Fall Garden Prep! Let’s Get to Work!

Fall is my absolute FAVORITE time to garden! The crisp air, gorgeous foliage color, cozy sweaters and of course, a little pumpkin spice, make it the perfect season to get my hands dirty.

But before you start planting, I’m sharing my methods and must-have tools to make your fall garden the envy of the neighborhood.

My Top 3 Fall Gardening Tips

  1. Plant Now for Spring Blooms: Fall is the perfect time to plant spring-flowering bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses.
  2. Give Your Soil Some Love: Prepare your beds with compost and organic matter to nourish your plants through the winter.
  3. Don’t Forget to Mulch: A layer of mulch will help protect your plants from frost and keep the soil moist. My bulbs heaved out of the ground last winter because I didn’t have enough mulch!

So don’t toss those leaves! Think about where you can make a pile to make some leaf mold. It’s a great amendment for your garden that will help it retain moisture and improve soil quality for optimal plant health. CLICK HERE to learn more.

  • Bulb Fertilizer: There’s nothing better than planting bulbs now and watching them burst into color next spring. To make sure they have everything they need for a spectacular show, I always mix in this organic fertilizer. It’s designed to give bulbs the right nutrients for big, vibrant blooms.
  • Auger Drill Bits in various sizes: If you’re planting a lot of bulbs, these drill bits are a game-changer. They attach to your drill to make quick, easy holes in the soil, saving your back and your knees when planting bulbs, annuals, plants, and small shrubs.
  • Soil Amendment Earthworm Casting: This is my secret weapon for giving my soil a major boost. Worm castings, sometimes called “black gold,” are full of beneficial microbes and nutrients. I add a scoop to the soil when I’m planting new bulbs or a thing layer to my garden beds. It’s a simple, natural way to improve soil health and help plants thrive without any harsh chemicals.
  • Pruners: A good pair of pruners is a must-have for cleaning up the garden in the fall. I use them to cut back perennials and shrubs, or just to snip a few branches for a simple fall arrangement. A sharp, comfortable pair makes all the difference.
  • Collapsible Garden Bin: I can’t say enough about how handy these are. I use mine for collecting garden debris, pulling weeds, or even for holding mulch when I’m working in a specific area. When you’re done, it folds flat for easy storage. I have 3!
  • Lightweight Leaf Blower: For quick clean-ups on my porch, patio, and driveway, this is my go-to. It’s lightweight and easy to handle, so I can clear away leaves and debris in minutes without a lot of effort.
  • Leaf Vac: When the leaves really start to fall, this is the tool I reach for. I love using it to get around those shrub bases that can be hard to reach and get all the fallen leaves. It not only sucks up leaves but also mulches them, which is a big time-saver. You can use the mulched leaves for your garden beds or compost pile.
  • Tumbling Compost Bin: Fall is a great time to start a new compost pile. A tumbling compost bin makes it incredibly easy to turn your kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich compost. Just a few turns a week and you’re well on your way to creating your own “black gold” for the garden.
  • A good pair of gardening gloves: Protect your hands from the cold and dirt.
  • A sturdy rake: Makes leaf cleanup a breeze.
  • A sharp pair of pruning shears: Prune back dead growth and shape your plants for spring. You’ll thank me later for this one!
A lush garden with vibrant pink, red, and purple flowers curves along a neatly mowed lawn. Trees and a small white shed are visible in the background under a clear blue sky.
The Welcome Garden – enough said!

What I’m Shopping For This Week

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

A stone tiered fountain stands in the center of a garden, surrounded by blooming pink and purple flowers and green foliage, with trees and a brick pathway in the background.

What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms

It was a fun week on the blog!

From Bulb to Bloom: How to Plant Daffodil Bulbs

Learn how to plant daffodil bulbs for a stunning spring garden! This easy-to-follow guide covers everything from soil prep to post-planting care.

A garden scene with clusters of yellow daffodils and small purple flowers. Trees and shrubs are in the background, with a path winding through the garden. The sky shows a soft orange and pink sunset.

What to Plant in Fall for Small Spaces

Short on space but still want a bountiful fall harvest? Discover what to plant in fall for small spaces, from vibrant veggies to beautiful blooms!

A close-up stock photo of vibrant purple, magenta, and yellow pansies flowers with green leaves, set among tall pink and purple cool season flowers in a garden. A blurred background of trees and a fence are visible.
Fall Flowers for a Container Garden Idea

Best Low Maintenance Indoor Plants that Clean the Air

Discover the best low-maintenance indoor plants that help purify your air & thrive on neglect.

A variety of snake plants with long, upright leaves in shades of green and yellow stand on display in terracotta pots on metal shelves. The background reveals even more snake plants thriving in a greenhouse setting.

Overwintering Dahlia Tubers & Tender Perennials: A Complete Guide

Overwinter dahlia tubers and tender perennials with this complete guide. Learn proper lifting, storing, and replanting techniques to enjoy vibrant blooms next spring.

A vibrant purple dahlia flower in full bloom stands out among green leaves and other dahlias in a lush garden, bathed in soft, natural light.
Lilac Time Dahlias

Easy Lasagna Soup Recipe

Craving lasagna but short on time? This easy lasagna soup recipe is comfort food made simple. Ready in 30 minutes!

Two bowls of easy lasagna soup recipe are garnished with grated cheese, a dollop of ricotta, and chopped fresh herbs. The bowls are placed on a wooden surface with scattered greens around, showcasing a hearty and appetizing meal.

5 Houseplant Hacks That Make Your Home Look Expensive

These 5 simple plant decor hacks will take your home from basic to botanical bliss.

A vintage chess set on an ornate wooden table with two chairs in a cozy room. A white upright piano is in the background adorned with plants, framed art on the walls, and a rug on the floor.
Sources for my front

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

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 trained master gardener who’s been gardening for almost 30 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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2 Comments

  1. Stacy
    So much going on in your world. Thank you for taking the time to share my old book post. You are the best.

    Reply