FAQ: What is Garden Bloom?

[AARPTeri]

Garden Bloom is a Match 3 game where you match different color flowers. The better you do, the more opportunities you have to repair Lucy’s dilapidated garden in between levels!

What is the goal of the game?

The goal of the game is to complete each level by succeeding in the level’s goals. Each level has different goals – a score to reach, a certain number of flowers to clear – and you have a certain number of moves to complete them. The fewer moves you need to reach your goals, the more stars you get.

When do I beat a level?
You beat a level if you complete the goals – which are listed on the left-hand side of the screen – before you run out of moves.

What are stars for?

When you complete a level, you’ll get stars – more if you complete it quickly. In between each level, you can use those stars to help repair Lucy’s garden.

What happens if I run out of moves?

If you run out of moves, you lose one heart. You start the game with five hearts.

What happens if I run out of hearts?

If you run out of hearts, you will need to wait until the timer elapses and your hearts recharge.

How do I play?

Playing Garden Bloom is very similar to playing other Match 3 games. Click and drag or swipe two flowers to swap their places. If the swap leads to three flowers of the same color lining up, those flowers will clear and new ones will drop in to fill their spots.

How much time do I get per level?

There is no timer in Garden Bloom.

What special pieces can I get to remove more flowers –- and what do they do?

A key to success is finding the special pieces – all of which are garden critters – that allow you to move flowers faster. After all, the fewer moves you use to hit your goals, the more stars you get, and the faster you can fix up Lucy’s garden!

You can access these special critters:

• The Bee – Match 4 flowers instead of just 3 and a bee will appear. Match the bee with flowers of the same color to remove the entire line.
• The Ladybug – Match two lines of 3 flowers at once and a ladybug will appear. Match the ladybug with flowers of the same color and all the nearby flowers will be removed.
• The Butterfly – Match 5 flowers instead of 3 and a butterfly will appear. Match that with another flower and all those flowers on the board will be removed.

Also, try to find ways to match two of the bugs – you’ll get a big reaction!

What boosters can I use?

As you progress through the game, you will unlock special boosters and powerups that will help you clear the more difficult levels. The boosters are very helpful, as you can choose one before each round begins. Your options are the same as the special creatures that you’ll see while playing:

• The Bee, which removes an entire line.
• The Ladybug, which removes all flowers nearby.
• The Butterfly, which removes all flowers of one color when matched.

Choose one of these at the beginning of each level (when they become available), and several of the spaces on the board will be replaced with what you chose. This is a great way to get started and have a successful run!

Can I replay a level after beating it?

Yes. You can reselect a level after beating it. This is a good idea especially if you received less than three stars the last time you beat it – there’s always an opportunity to max out your stars!

What do I do in the garden?

In between levels, you can either play the next level or go back to Lucy’s garden. There, if you have enough stars, you can repair some of the broken fixtures in the garden, such as benches and decorations. On the bottom left of the screen you can click on your to-do list, where you can see what you need to fix – and how many more stars you need to fix it. You can move around the garden by clicking and dragging (or swiping). On the bottom right of the screen, you can click on the book with the number in it to select another level to play.

How many levels are there?

More than 2,000!

Is my progress saved?

Yes. As long as you play on the same device and inside the same browser, your progress will save in between sessions.

Can I turn off the sound and music in Cubis 2?

Yes. Click on the gear icon, and there you can toggle the music and sound on and off.

[AbbieW954380]

Just a quick update that Arcadia IT still fails to do its job. Still no scores, still at game beginning instead of level 450, all the $ and boosters were taken and now, no boosters of any kind for any of the levels.  AARP should mulch garden bloom for the fertilizer it truly is lol. 

[sperryaz]

  I made it to level 500 one time before it bumped me back to - wait for it - level 1 !!! I've just worked my way back up to 448 and can't break the barrier. Tried closing out and logging back in, but it just keeps using up my lives. Pretty disappointed....

[Brecklyn]

AARP says there will be a new release in 2 - 3 weeks that should hopefully resolve the issues.

[DedeBronx64]

It's October 7th and I'm still on 448 

[JulieL814759]

Hi All  Sorry I've been MIA for awhile. Been playing the game in intervals and it's going alright. I'm at Level 337 currently. Every day I get on my laptop and check and yup, it's still there! However haven't gotten to the twilight zone of 448 yet. And now I wonder, if they ACTUALLY have a new release, will it bump us all down again--??? Anyway glad to know I'm not the only one who has stayed with this despite all the aggravation.

[cc66274730]

I'm convinced there's NO FIX! I can't tell you how many times I've played and been taken back to 448.  SO ANNOYING

[Winter2025VA]

[9/26/25] @Brecklyn , did you call them?

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@Brecklyn wrote:

AARP says there will be a new release in 2 - 3 weeks that should hopefully resolve the issues.

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[Brecklyn]

yes

[alliecatvocate]

This afternoon I was on level 675 (maybe higher) on Garden Bloom. When I turned it on later this evening, it took me down to level 448! How do I get back to 675!!!?? 😞 

Please help!

[DonaldS182358]

Sorry, Allie but you have now entered the Twilight Zone of level 448. There is no way out. We all welcome you as we wait for the Arkadium mothership to lift us out of here

[SueK64405]

 The game is broken.  Supposedly being fixed, but it's been a while.

[WebWiseWoman]

Hi, Teri!

I'm posting to you as the information may be helpful to the AARP Administrators who select outside service providers; and I don't want any feedback or comments on this post.

I'm a paying subscriber to arkadium.com (3+ years)

This particular game's issues have been reported to arkadium multiple times by actual arkadium subscribers since it's launch last May (those reports/comments can be read here; scroll down to read the comments).

Please be aware everything on the arkadium site loads VEEERRRYYY slowly due to ads (even for we who subscribe), so please don't use the link provided until you have 3-4 minutes with nothing else to do on your computer...

My point is if arkadium won't fix issues for individuals paying money directly to them for their service, can individuals from AARP creating contacts with arkadium support actually expect resolution?

Teri, perhaps if AARP, the organization paying for access applied pressure, maybe we'd get actual resolution?

Thanks for reading.

[Player12345]

DONE WITH AARP.

Done With Wasting My Time.

To All Others ...Move On....

God Bless You

[JulieL814759]

For what it's worth, this is the latest message I got from Arkadium.

"We are experiencing issues right now with the progress saving. From what I know, it's not related to the way our users log out, but to in-game storage. Please log out using the method that is more convenient for you, and I will contact you once more as soon as this issue is fixed."

Thought I'd update you all with that. I'm at Level 234 but I haven't tried to log out of the game for fear of losing that. I guess I'll see what happens. I'm sorta hooked on it now because it's fun to build the garden. If I lose my progress again though I might throw in the towel. But for the time being I'm sticking with it and hoping they'll figure this out.l

[LindaWJoy]

Thanks for the update.  I got up to Level 903 before I had a computer problem and had to restart my computer.  Back to Level 448 we go.  I wrote to Arkadium but they more or less brushed me off.

[LindaS480437]

they keep pushing me back to 447  ugh

[LindaS480437]

I I was at 601 and it kicked me back to 447.  It has continued to do so about 5 times.

[JulieL814759]

I'm at level 629. Finally off the beach! But I've been snoozing all the updates and ignoring the "new chrome available". At some point an update will probably just happen and I'm anticipating being sent back to the beach or to the whole beginning of the game. But seeing how far I can get. 

[Winter2025VA]

[9/24/25] Yes Julie @JulieL814759 , alot of people have given up on this game. Thanks for updating dear friend, Nicole. 💛

➡️[*** JULIE 

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@JulieL814759 wrote:

For what it's worth, this is the latest message I got from Arkadium.

"We are experiencing issues right now with the progress saving. From what I know, it's not related to the way our users log out, but to in-game storage. Please log out using the method that is more convenient for you, and I will contact you once more as soon as this issue is fixed."

Thought I'd update you all with that. I'm at Level 234 but I haven't tried to log out of the game for fear of losing that. I guess I'll see what happens. I'm sorta hooked on it now because it's fun to build the garden. If I lose my progress again though I might throw in the towel. But for the time being I'm sticking with it and hoping they'll figure this out.l

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[loveBflo49]

    Hi all,

    I received good news....or what I'm hoping is good news.  Arkadium says that it's been fixed  🙂 

 I haven't tried it yet, but will soon.  Here's what they sent me:   

"I am pleased to inform you that the issue you reported has been resolved. Please take a moment to check if everything is working as expected. If you need any further assistance or if you encounter any new issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We will be happy to help."

  Good luck everyone!

[AbbieW954380]

Still not fixed. So goodby GB

[AbbieW954380]

I received the same message and there was no return to level 459, where I was kicked off and currently at level 1 again, and no, the scoring for the daily, weekly etc still fails to work.

[DonaldS182358]

Still not letting me into level 449. Same problem after all this time. What a shame. So disappointing.

[Winter2025VA]

[9/21/25] Good Morning Donald @DonaldS182358, did you report this to Arkadium? I am hoping if everyone does, they will fix it. Take care, Nicole!

➡️[*** DONALD 

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@DonaldS182358 wrote:

Still not letting me into level 449. Same problem after all this time. What a shame. So disappointing.

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[AbbieW954380]

 I did figure out that you can not use boosters on 448 or 449 otherwise it won't let you access level 449. Also, must use trowels on left side to release butterflies.

[JulieL814759]

Just adding to the conversation from everyone today--or I guess yesterday by now because it's late...I had some emails back and forth with Arkadium today, asking what's the best way to exit the game in order to save it because I need to do a reboot (for an unrelated reason), ie do I x out, sign out of AARP, leave it and hope it reopens after the reboot, etc. 

Basically, I pressed the issue because I wasn't getting a direct answer and as of around noon on 9/21, I have yet to get a response. 

I will say that since starting completely over with the Ad block removed it is playing more smoothly, but I'm only on Level 164 at this point. I'm going to have to chance it and could likely lose it all again. Waiting to see if they respond to me later today (9/22). If I hear something useful I'll let y'all know.

[Winter2025VA]

[9/22/25] Thanks for the update Julie @JulieL814759 . Niciole  💛

➡️[*** JULIE 

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@JulieL814759 wrote:

Just adding to the conversation from everyone today--or I guess yesterday by now because it's late...I had some emails back and forth with Arkadium today, asking what's the best way to exit the game in order to save it because I need to do a reboot (for an unrelated reason), ie do I x out, sign out of AARP, leave it and hope it reopens after the reboot, etc. 

Basically, I pressed the issue because I wasn't getting a direct answer and as of around noon on 9/21, I have yet to get a response. 

I will say that since starting completely over with the Ad block removed it is playing more smoothly, but I'm only on Level 164 at this point. I'm going to have to chance it and could likely lose it all again. Waiting to see if they respond to me later today (9/22). If I hear something useful I'll let y'all know.

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[Winter2025VA]

[9/21/25] Thanks for the tips Abbie @AbbieW954380  👍.  Take care, Nicole!

➡️[*** ABBIE 

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@AbbieW954380 wrote:

 I did figure out that you can not use boosters on 448 or 449 otherwise it won't let you access level 449. Also, must use trowels on left side to release butterflies.

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[DonaldS182358]

After reading comments from Arkadium subscribers concerning these very same issues since last May I think its a waste of time to contact them. Obviously they are uninterested in fixing issues with their games. Although disappointing we will all find other games that are properly constructed and not a source of frustration. Thanks to all who gave this their best effort. Sadly sometimes you really can't win.

[Winter2025VA]

[9/21/25] Hi Donald @DonaldS182358 , I am SO GLAD the AARP Member did a post to @AARPTeri . I am HOPING she reads it. This member is a Retired IT person who has helped us members out over the years. I wish AARP would use her as an IT Consultant. Take care, Nicole!

➡️[*** DONALD

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@DonaldS182358 wrote:

After reading comments from Arkadium subscribers concerning these very same issues since last May I think its a waste of time to contact them. Obviously they are uninterested in fixing issues with their games. Although disappointing we will all find other games that are properly constructed and not a source of frustration. Thanks to all who gave this their best effort. Sadly sometimes you really can't win.