Bricks 'n Blooms Weekly 290

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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 gardens have officially hit their stride and everywhere I look there’s another flower coming into bloom. I’ve been outside cutting bouquets almost every day, and my dahlias are just about ready to put on their annual show. It won’t be long now before they’re stealing the spotlight!

The biggest challenge this week wasn’t the garden, though. It was the air. Smoke from the Canadian wildfires settled into our area, making the air quality so poor that it limited how much time I could comfortably spend outside. It was frustrating because this is one of my favorite times of year to be in the garden, sit by the pool, and walk outdoors.

Outside of gardening, it was a fun week. I met up with friends for golf and pickleball, and I’ve been playing quite a bit of mahjong lately too. My girls came home for the weekend so we could celebrate my niece at her bridal shower, which made for a wonderful family weekend.

We had planned a quick trip to Vermont, but between the rainy forecast and the wildfire smoke, we decided it was better to stay home. Thankfully, there was still plenty of beauty waiting right outside my back door. With the gardens overflowing with color, I certainly didn’t mind spending the weekend surrounded by flowers.

Speaking of which…are are some views from the welcome garden.

A stone garden wall is bordered by colorful flowers, including pink, purple, and white blooms, with green bushes and trees in the background on a sunny day.

A vibrant flower garden with pink, purple, and blue blossoms surrounds a wooden garden trellis, bordered by lush green grass and trees in the background.

A vibrant garden bed with tall purple and violet flowers, green foliage, white petunias, and a white porch railing in the background.

A cozy porch with white rocking chairs, potted plants, and pillows overlooks a vibrant garden filled with blooming purple and pink flowers. The scene feels inviting and peaceful.

I Was on the Hosta La Vista Podcast

I had such a great time chatting on the Hosta La Vista podcast this week all about creating beautiful flower gardens, designing shade gardens, and growing landscapes that don’t require endless maintenance.

We talked about my gardening journey, choosing plants that earn their space, designing gardens that work with nature, and practical tips for creating a landscape you’ll actually enjoy. If you’re looking for a little gardening inspiration, I’d love for you to give it a listen here.

And speaking of hostas…look at how great this garden looks! It is amazing how far these gardens have come along since moving here.

A lush garden with purple flowers, green hostas, and white blooms surrounds a rust-colored metal sculpture of interlocking circles. A tan house and trees are in the background.

Seasonal Essentials

Odds and Ends

This cute summer dress
This handwoven tote – that color is everything
These earrings are perfect for every day
I love this sling bag too.
This golf cart seat cover is PERFECT for those hot days on the course so your legs don’t stick to the seat! There are lots of different patterns to choose from too.
I bought this golf shirt – isn’t it so fun! Fits true to size.

Four women (one is stacy ling) in sunglasses and hats smile for a selfie on a sunny golf course, with green grass, trees, and a pond visible in the background. — This week’s golfing adventure with my friends

Summer Garden Must-Haves

Below are the products I rely on for summer gardening that make it easier and a whole lot more enjoyable.

Deer repellent to help protect my flowers from browsing wildlife.
Drip irrigation and soaker hoses that keep my gardens watered without spending hours holding a hose.
My favorite weeding tool that makes staying ahead of weeds much easier than letting them take over.
A garden kneeler and seat that saves my knees and back during long gardening sessions.
Tecnu Outdoor Skin Cleanser, which I always keep on hand after working around poison ivy.

Vibrant pink and purple flowers bloom in a lush garden bed in front of a porch with potted plants, white chairs, and a window in the background.

From the Week

This Week on Bricks ‘n Blooms

This week was all about helping your garden look its best through the heart of summer.

I shared my favorite natural pest control methods for flower gardens, including the organic strategies I rely on to keep common pests under control without disrupting beneficial insects.

If you’re growing a cutting garden, I also covered the best time to harvest flowers for the longest vase life, plus my simple approach to arranging fresh-cut flowers at home so they look effortless and last longer indoors.

Vibrant pink and orange flowers bloom in a lush garden with a fountain and green trees in the background on a sunny day.

For those of you who often ask how I keep up with so many gardens, I pulled back the curtain on my routine and shared the practical habits that help me maintain multiple flower beds without feeling overwhelmed.

I also shared my favorite tips for creating a pollinator-friendly garden that’s filled with blooms while supporting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects throughout the season.

And from the kitchen, I shared two refreshing summer favorites from the garden: my creamy cucumber gazpacho and an easy cucumber salad with fresh dill.

Two bowls of creamy cucumber gazpacho garnished with chopped herbs, diced cucumber, and mint leaves, placed on a wooden board with fresh cucumbers, lemon, dill, and two spoons nearby.

This Week on YouTube

This week on YouTube, we focused on creating a garden that’s beautiful with less work.

In my newest video, I shared 11 flowers I never deadhead and explained why some plants simply don’t need the extra maintenance to keep looking great.

I also rounded up the longest-blooming flowers that I grow in my Zone 6b garden, highlighting the reliable performers that provide months of color with very little effort.

These are two of my favorite videos for gardeners who want more blooms and less fuss.