Bricks 'n Blooms Weekly 286

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Hi there!

I hope you had an amazing week!

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Behind the Scenes at Bricks ‘n Blooms

After planting all 80 of those shrubs last week, this week was all about maintenance mode in the garden. I spent quite a bit of time deadheading peonies, roses, and salvias, trying to stay ahead of everything as the garden shifts from spring into summer.

Of course, no garden week would be complete without a little drama.

A rabbit has apparently discovered the petunias in both the welcome garden and the pool garden and decided they’re part of his summer meal plan. Even worse, I think a groundhog and possibly some of his friends found their way into the potager garden. They helped themselves to my bolting lettuces, a sunflower, and every last cauliflower plant.

Needless to say, I wasn’t thrilled. Here’s a pic of how it was looking before the garden assault.

Raised wooden garden bed filled with lush green lettuce, kale, and various leafy vegetables and flowers, with a green support hoop and a trellis fence in the background.

We put up some temporary fencing this week while we figure out a more permanent solution. Honestly, it was only a matter of time before something found the vegetable garden. My biggest concern now is keeping them away from the cutting garden. The dahlias are finally starting to put on some growth, and I’d prefer not to share them with the local wildlife. Stay tuned because I have a feeling this battle isn’t over yet.

Outside the garden, I’ve been spending more time learning pickleball and am officially signed up for advanced beginner lessons starting in July. I’ve really been enjoying it and can finally hold my own a little better on the court.

But that’s not the biggest surprise.

A colorful garden with blooming flowers, green shrubs, and a wooden trellis covered in purple and white roses, next to a small yellow house and stone pathway.

The biggest secret I’ve been keeping is that I’ve been taking golf lessons.

Yes… me.

I didn’t even tell Chris until this past week.

For years I’ve always said I’d never play golf because I’d rather be gardening. But this season of life feels a little different. As much as I love gardening, creating content, and spending time working on the property, I’ve realized I also want to make more time for friends and activities outside the garden.

When we moved from a half-acre property to ten acres, with roughly five acres of gardenable space, it was a huge adjustment. For a long time it felt like every spare moment was spent trying to build and maintain the gardens. This year is the first year I’ve really felt like I have a handle on things.

A lush garden with green and yellow hostas, small yellow flowers, and other shrubs. A red garden ornament shaped like a mushroom is nestled among the plants, with a stone border on the right side.

Don’t get me wrong. I still spend countless hours gardening, filming videos, creating content for the blog, and working on social media. But it’s been nice making room for a few new hobbies and opportunities to socialize.

Several of my friends started golfing last year, and if I’m being honest, I had a serious case of FOMO watching them have so much fun. Now I’ll be able to play with friends, Chris, and the kids too, which makes it even more appealing.

And let’s be honest, one of the most enjoyable parts so far has been shopping for golf clothes and accessories.

At the moment, I’ve just been borrowing my daughter’s clubs for lessons, so I haven’t committed to buying my own set yet. But we’ll see how long that lasts.

Three large white roses with ruffled petals bloom amidst green leaves, with dark mulch on the ground below. One rosebud is visible in the background, suggesting more blooms to come. — Reminiscent Rose Crema

This weekend we headed up to Vermont to spend Father’s Day with Tori at the cabin. We had such a nice time together. We found an amazing barbecue and smokehouse in Dover, spent time out on the boat, wandered through a flea market, and simply enjoyed slowing down for a couple of days.

We’re heading back home later today after squeezing in a little more boating this morning, and then it’ll be back to the garden, where I’m sure the weeds, rabbits, and groundhogs have been busy while I’ve been away.

A black cat sits inside an open suitcase on a floral carpet, next to neatly folded clothes. A beige armchair is visible in the background.

Seasonal Essentials

Golf Accessories I Bought (I can use them for pickleball too!)

Golf Shoes
Gloves
Golf Shirts (in a variety of colors!) – fits true to size. I love the racerback.
Two different types of skirts…This Golf Skirt and This Golf Skirt

A woman (stacy ling) wearing aviator sunglasses, a khaki cap, and a sleeveless black top smiles outdoors on a golf course with green grass and trees in the background. — Screenshot

🌷 Spring Garden Supplies I’m Stocking Up On

Rose Fertilizer — encourages vigorous plants and abundant blooms all season long
Slow-Release Fertilizer — an easy way to feed garden beds gradually as plants wake up for the season
PlantSkydd Wildlife Repellent — my go-to organic deterrent for rabbits, deer, and other garden visitors
Deer Out Deer Repellent — a second line of defense when deer pressure ramps up in spring
Wire Cloches — simple protection for tender seedlings, yarrow, and other plants rabbits love to nibble
Collapsible Garden Bins — perfect for hauling weeds, garden debris, and cuttings around the yard

A colorful garden bed with blooming light pink and peach roses, green foliage, and a pathway on the right side. A dark fence and garden lights run along the left side of the path.

From the Week

Cut Flower Garden Success

Whether you’re growing dahlias for armloads of bouquets or simply want more flowers in your garden, these posts tackle some of the most common mistakes that can hold your plants back. From bloom production to overall garden planning, these are the lessons that can make a big difference over the course of a growing season.

A hand holds a large, pale peach dahlia flower with layered petals, set against a background of green foliage and other blooming flowers in a garden.

Summer Entertaining Made Easy

With summer gatherings in full swing, I shared two favorite outdoor entertaining ideas that are perfect for backyard celebrations, holiday weekends, and family get-togethers.

A colorful outdoor table set for a meal, featuring pineapples as centerpieces, pink flowers, amber goblets, candles, white plates, and bright pink napkins on a green tablecloth—perfect for those seeking Hawaiian party ideas in a garden setting.

On YouTube This Week

This week’s videos focus on two garden favorites that can look even better with a few simple adjustments.

Don’t Plant Lavender Alone
Lavender is beautiful on its own, but the right companion plants can transform it into a stunning garden feature. I’m sharing some of my favorite combinations for creating more color, texture, and season-long interest. Watch it here

The Most Important Thing I’m Doing for My Dahlias Right Now
If you’re growing dahlias this season, this is the task I’m prioritizing in the garden right now to encourage healthier plants and better blooms later this summer. It’s simple, but it makes a huge difference. Watch it here