Bricks 'n Blooms Weekly 293

Add me to see the latest gardening from me.

Hi there!

I hope you had an amazing week!

(Posts on stacyling.com may contain affiliate links. Click HERE for full disclosure.)

Behind the Scenes at Bricks ‘n Blooms

Last Sunday, Chris, Shana and I visited with my good friends Eric and Christopher from Grow for Me Gardening to tour their gardens in person. It was so great to see them and let me tell you, their gardens are nothing short of incredible! We filmed a YouTube video while I was there where we rated our summer annuals too – you can watch it here.

stacy ling, eric and christopher from frow for me gardening stand outside on grass with trees behind them. The woman on the left and the man in the center are smiling with thumbs up, while the man on the right gives a thumbs down. All are casually dressed.

A colorful garden features vibrant purple, pink, and white flowers bordered by green grass, with lush shrubs and trees in the background. — Grow For Me Gardening’s Garden

I submitted my 4th manuscript off to the publisher this week to get the editing process started. It feels really good to have finished that up. Now I get to pull photos for it and arrange them for my chapters….Do you have any favorite pics I’ve shared that you think I should include? Let me know in the comments below! I would love your feedback.

It was a scorcher of a week here again. I did some light maintenance tasks in the bed, but mostly sat back and enjoyed them. As I’ve walked around the gardens in the mornings, I’ve noticed a few casualties along the way. But for the most part, the gardens look great!

A brick path curves by a house with white columns and a porch, surrounded by lush green plants and colorful blooming flowers in purple, pink, and white. Hanging baskets add extra color to the porch area.

Oh…and I saw the groundhog is back! Not sure if it is the same one from a month ago, but he is living under the cottage. Ugh. I think this is a new one because I haven’t seen any signs of him trying to get into the potager like the one before. And I noticed my brand new invincibelle spirit 2.0 hydrangeas had some serious nibbles on them – I’m sure it is groundhog damage. I’m sure the plant will be fine long term, but geez!

Do you remember how I had the worst experience ever starting lisianthus from seed? I purchased a few plugs last year and it worked out really well!!! They all grew and bloomed really beautifully, so I will definitely do that again.

A peach-colored lisianthus flower with ruffled petals covered in water droplets, surrounded by green buds and stems, stands out against a blurred garden background with a white fence.

Pink lisianthus flowers and buds covered in raindrops grow among green leaves and a few reddish plants, with a black wire garden fence visible at the bottom.

I had a great time golfing with this week both with my friends and Chris! We tried to do a nine and dine with my sister in law and her hubby, but on hole 5, the skies opened up and it stormed on us! We were totally soaked but enjoyed a great meal with lots of laughs after at Roxiticus Golf Club.

Tori came home this week, so it was great catching up with her and spending some time just hanging out.

Four adults smile for a selfie outdoors on a brick path, with golf carts and green grass in the background. Two women are in the foreground; two men are behind them. All are dressed in golf attire.

Seasonal Essentials

If your calibrachoas and petunias get hit with budworm, I’m pre-treating my supertunias with BT to keep them at bay as they inevitably show up this time of year every season.
The little bunny is still wreaking havoc in my welcome garden! I use these wire cloches to protect my petunias.
I love this skirt! If you love a simple summer skirt, its really soft and comfy.
I also love these linen pants – they are perfect for a less humid summer evening.
For fall, I splurged on this pretty black purse. I love the texture and it can be dressed up or down.

A curved brick path borders a lush green lawn, surrounded by vibrant flowering plants and tall trees in a garden next to a house.

From the Week

This Week on Bricks ‘n Blooms

As summer begins to transition toward fall, this week’s articles are all about keeping your garden colorful, attracting wildlife, and bringing those beautiful blooms indoors. Whether you’re planning ahead for autumn or looking for fresh decorating and entertaining ideas, there’s plenty to explore.

🌺 Create a Garden Full of Color

Keep your landscape looking vibrant from now through fall with these gardening guides.

A quaint birdhouse by good directions with a terracotta roof hangs among vibrant, multi-colored flowers on a misty day. — Good Directions Birdhouse surrounded by celosia

🌻 Bring Summer Indoors

Fresh flowers aren’t just for the garden. Here are a few fun ways to enjoy them inside your home.

A sunflower brunch table setting idea includes sunflower-themed plates, a large bouquet of sunflowers in a jar, a bottle of sparkling wine, a champagne flute filled with a drink, fresh strawberries, cherries, a blueberry pie, a muffin, and additional flowers in the background. — Gorgeous Sunflower Brunch Idea

🍹 Garden-to-Glass

One refreshing cocktail is all you need to end a summer day.

Classic Transfusion Cocktail Recipe

Two glasses of iced grape drink with lime slices and mint on a wooden board, surrounded by grapes, lime, herbs, and striped straws.

This Week on YouTube

This week on YouTube, I shared two videos that answer some of the questions I get asked most often about maintaining a large garden without feeling overwhelmed.

The Garden Problems I’m Not Fixing Until Fall – Sometimes the best thing you can do is leave well enough alone. Here’s what I’m intentionally waiting to tackle later in the season and why.

How I Keep Up With So Many Garden Beds (Without Burning Out) – My simple maintenance routine that helps me stay on top of dozens of flower beds while still making time to actually enjoy the garden.