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Random Things Happening Behind the Scenes at Bricks ‘n Blooms

It’s been a rainy week here in New Jersey since returning home from Vermont.

The garden had a few casualties while I was away did you hear?

Ugh!

Critter Problems

My resident groundhog went to town on my sweet potato vines, but even worse, the dahlias planted in my backyard cutting garden.

I am so upset with amount of dahlia damage he did and hope they bounce back!

The last few weeks, I’ve tried so many different repellent strategies with this groundhog but nothing worked.

In the past, I’ve lived with the damage he’s done, but if you knew the amount of time, energy, and money spent on the new cutting garden outside the garden shed, you’d agree he has to go.

So I got serious about trapping him with our havahart trap.

Cottage Garden with Seed Starts

Now I want to say, that I don’t take this lightly.

I am NOT a fan of trapping and relocating.

However, weighing out the damage done plus the rest of the damage he can still do, we had to.

So I set the trap and caught him by the following morning.

We said our goodbyes and I’m hoping he won’t return.

Bricks 'n Blooms Weekly

But you know what?

If he doesn’t return, I’m sure another will move in.

Apparently, my under the shed accommodations are really good!

And we offer great meals, so…I’m sure I won’t see the last of groundhogs.

But at least temporarily, I’m in the clear and my plants have a chance to bounce back.

perennials vs annuals

My Favorite New Local Restaurant

On another note, Chris and I decided to dine in Morristown, NJ the other night after dropping Shana and her friend at the train station so they could go to NYC for the weekend.

We dined at Chef Fredy’s Table and if you are in the area and have not been there yet, RUN do not walk, to enjoy a meal there.

I may have had the best salad I’ve ever had in my life and the food is just incredible.

Home and Garden Blogger Stacy Ling and her husband at Chef Fredys Table

Cutting Flowers in the Shed Garden

I’ve been spending lots of quality time in the cutting garden between the rain drops.

It amazes me everyday that I grew this entire garden from seed in my basement.

I love coming out here to cut flowers and enjoy them indoors.

Home and Garden Blogger Stacy Ling

Here is my latest Tik Tok showing the process.

Isn’t that so cool?

What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms

It was a fun week on the blog!

We covered lots of ground with the gardens.

I shared a beautiful tour of my gardens. Everything looks so gorgeous and lush right now!

My Jersey Garden Tour

The gardens are transitioning from spring to summer blooms.

It’s so neat to see how much the hues change from season to season too.

In spring, the colors are cool and relaxing; but summer provides lots of hot and spicy colors.

I just love watching the changes evolve and hope you enjoy the tour.

cucumber salad with dill

In addition to my garden tour, I shared how to grow cucumbers in the home vegetable garden.

They are super easy to grow and with a little help from the home gardener, plants will be healthy, beautiful and productive.

CLICK HERE to see what you need to do to grow an amazing harvest this year!

Vegetable Garden in Raised Garden Beds

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.

My good friend Jennifer from Cottage on Bunker Hill does the most beautiful DIYs and has amazing ideas.

How pretty is this flower pot wreath idea?

grapevine wreath with terracotta pots on it
Photo by Cottage on Bunker Hill

My good friends Anne and AnnMarie from Simply 2 Moms created this AWESOME list of 21 Essential Tips to Prepare for College Move-In Day.

Having 2 kids in college in now, these tips are really helpful for sending them off to school.

simply 2 moms
Photo by Simply 2 Moms

With my focus on vegetable gardening right now, I love this recipe from Leslie at Feet Under My Table.

It’s a great way to use your zucchini harvest!

zucchini au gratin
Photo by Feet Under My Table

And here is some more inspiration you’ve got to see!

THIS method to freezing blueberries and a yummy recipe to go with it.

THESE chacuterie board ideas.

THIS backyard fire pit idea.

I can’t wait to follow along with the progress of THIS patio redesign!

THESE DIY personalized beach bags.

THESE tips for refinishing outdoor furniture.

THIS gluten free recipe using fresh cherries.

I adore THIS tablescape idea for summer!

And THIS elegant tablescape too!

Cottage Garden by the shed in the backyard

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Thanks for dropping by the blog today!

Enjoy your day! xoxo

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The bricks \'n Blooms guide to a beautiful and easy-care flower garden book by stacy ling
The Bricks ‘n Blooms Guide to a Beautiful and Easy Care Flower Garden
  • Have you never met a plant you couldn’t kill?
  • Have you dug around in the dirt with nothing to show for it except a sunburn and a sore back?
  • Do you currently enjoy growing flowers, but are looking for more tips and ideas to level up your gardening game?

Then the Bricks ‘n Blooms Guide is for YOU

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16 Comments

  1. Stacy,
    I love your gardening photos, so cute. Thanks for sharing my charcuterie board. I didn’t do a typical Dirt Road Adventures this week, but I’d like to share your cucumber tips in an upcoming post I have planned.
    Thanks for all your great tips.

  2. Your garden is looking so beautiful Stacy! Glad you were able to finally find the chipmunk. Thank you for sharing my extreme heat ideas.

    1. You are welcome! It can get really hot here in July/August like that too so those are all such great tips!

  3. Just wondering if you could put some edging around your shed? If dug down deep enough and somehow sealed at the top edge I would think the ground hog would go somewhere else! Just a thought. I love your gardens. Beautiful!

    1. Thanks Maureen! We have been talking about doing something like that. Considering chicken wire and stapling it under the shed and then tacking it down in the ground. Now we just need a day with no rain to do it! Lol!

  4. Groundhogs are the worst! Every year I have to trap one and take him for a ride out of the city to release him.

  5. We have had terrible difficulties with groundhogs the last few years—they burrow under our shed, eat the flowers and have had to be relocated from here, too. Thank you for sharing my recipe! It truly is a favorite summer side for that abundance of zucchini!

    1. Thats where mine lives. I’ve put up with him for years but this year he did way too much damage! And you are welcome! xo

  6. I’m totally laughing that you felt bad about relocating your groundhog! Because I probably would’ve thought about doing something a little more permanent… LOL Hopefully your garden will stay damaging critter-free for the rest of the year! Also, thank you for sharing our post! <3

    1. I hope so too! I try to live with all that come by but he did way too much damage this year. You are welcome – I love that post! xo

  7. Stacy, I just love the picture of you in the cutting garden laughing…such a keeper! Thanks for featuring my post on refinishing outdoor furniture! You are so sweet to do so. I’ve printed out the recipe for zucchini gratin (looks so delicious) and I am vicariously living through gardening with your summer garden posts!

  8. Stacy! Thank you so much for featuring my elegant table – that’s so sweet of you! SO glad you transplanted that groundhog! I hope he and his friends stay away! Your garden is always gorgeous, and I agree with Mary – the picture of you in the garden is fabulous!