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Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 269

ByStacy Ling Posted on
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Hi there!

I hope you had an amazing week!

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Behind the Scenes at Bricks ‘n Blooms

The snow is finally melting but we may get a little snow overnight? I hope not!

Looking at my bare gardens inspired me to get my indoor seed starting underway. This week, I sowed all of my foxgloves (camelot rose and dalmation peach) and verbena bonariensis (new to me!). I can’t wait to see how the verbena does! It reseeds well for my good friends Eric and Christopher at Grow For Me Gardening in upstate New York, so I’m hoping it will behave similarly here.

We moved my indoor seed starting system to the basement this year. I’m a little nervous about doing it but don’t love the yearly switcheroo in the sunroom. We have a water source down there, so it will actually be easier. But I’m more concerned about mice – the come indoors and I don’t want them to eat the seedlings.

When my husband and I were talking about how best to set up my seed starting, we ultimately decided it was best not to use the shelving that is already down there (both wood shelves and metal shelves) because they would provide solid surfaces for mice to scale.

Instead, he helped set up my wire shelves – which I love to use anyway because it’s easy to move the lights and make adjustments while seedlings grow. We decided it would be more difficult for mice to climb up an walk on them so fingers crossed everything stays intact.

If not…we will be moving things upstairs!

A snow-covered pond with patches of ice sits beside a wooden bridge, surrounded by leafless trees. The sky glows orange at sunset, casting a warm reflection on the icy water.

Last weekend, I discovered our front pond filtration not working. So our pond crew, Atlantis Water Gardens, came out and helped diagnose that we had a busted pipe. I think the system froze over and it started leaking, which is a total bummer. We lost a lot of water so Chris and I turned the hoses on just to add some back in. Hopefully, we can fix the pipe this week and get it all back up and running.

On a side note, Tori came home for the weekend so it was wonderful to see her and go to dinner Friday night. We also spent a lovely evening with our neighbors – they always make the best food! Love hanging out and spending time with them.

Bright, cozy living room with a beige armchair, ottoman, and loveseat, floral rug, potted plants, a white dresser, and large windows letting in sunlight. Floral artwork and throw pillows add warm, inviting touches.

Seasonal Essentials

A Few Good Finds

Just restocked my must-have depuffing and undereye tightening patches – this is the only site where I’ve found them half-price! It helps plump my skin and deliver intense hydration by attracting and retaining moisture from water in the air.

This square embroidered pillow is the perfect spring accent. But would look great all year round too!

How cute is this cute Easter decor? It’s perfect to nestle among some potted plants.

I love this oversized sweater. Perfect for cozy weekends.

And this lightweight cardigan is super soft and great for layering.

I love this raincoat in the green! I need something long like that.

A woman stands in a bedroom wearing a brown suede jacket, white shirt, blue cuffed jeans, and taupe ankle boots. She holds a phone in front of her face, taking a mirror selfie. The room has floral carpet and classic decor.

My new boots are so comfortable – love that the heel isn’t too high!

This jacket looks very similar to mine and goes with anything.

How cute is this animal print belt?

Love these high waisted cuffed jeans.

And this classic white button down is super soft and perfect for spring layering.

I love love love this floral blouse for spring! It’s so pretty right?

Oh…and I bought this phone case a few months ago and love it! It holds about two items (like a credit card and ID) plus you can buy designs with a battery so you don’t lose power while on the go.

As an aside, these green accent chairs were one of the best finds for my bedroom! They make a cute little seating area, are really comfortable to sit in, and are buget-friendly for two.

Two green armchairs with patterned pillows sit by large windows in a sunlit room. A knit blanket with pom-poms is draped over one chair. A round side table with a lamp and potted plant sits between the chairs, on a floral rug.

🌿 Organic Garden Care I Always Reach For

A bright living room with large windows, green plants on a white dresser, a framed sunset photo on the wall, and a swan-shaped planter with greenery on a round table between two sofas.
Close-up of blooming amaryllis flowers with vibrant pink and white petals and tall green stems, set against a blurred background featuring a floral painting.

From the Week

Earlier this week I shared how to start seeds indoors if you don’t have a greenhouse — a simple setup that works beautifully in everyday spaces.

I also wrote about why plants struggle in winter (and what to do about it), plus a favorite spring shade combination featuring hellebores, brunnera, and bleeding hearts — each with their own care guide.

I also shared the Irish soda bread recipe I make every year around this time.

And over on YouTube, I shared my three-step approach to starting seeds for my cutting garden, along with a video on what not to winter sow to save yourself time and seeds.

Plastic containers with ventilation holes and condensation inside, taped at the edges, are placed on a gravel surface. The containers appear to hold soil or a growing medium.

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 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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