Posts By

Jerad Bryant

Jerad Bryant is a plant nerd, botanical writer, and avid gardener in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Jerad is an active member in his local community of plant nerds in both the Willamette Valley Hardy Plant Group and the American Rhododendron Society.

A close-up shot of a person's hand holding a pile of freshly harvested purple and green colored blooms and leaves of an herb, depicting how edible are basil flowers

Herbs

Are Basil Flowers Edible?

Basil flowers are, indeed, edible! They’re herbal, flavorful, and delicious in fresh dishes. Though they have less flavor than the leaves, the flowers are perfect additions to a wide range of meals. Consider using these blooms instead of snipping them off.

Compact evergreen Hebe shrub with dense, glossy green leaves and tall purple flower spikes.

Shrubs

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Hebe Shrubs

Hebes form geometric shapes with their leaves! They’re iconic in the ornamental garden. Tender and hardy hebes offer the ultimate selection of varieties to choose from. Join longtime grower Jerad Bryant in learning how to plant, grow, and care for these evergreen shrubs.

A close-up shot of a ripe and sliced crops with their germs exposed, showcasing how to grow store watermelon seeds

Seeds

Can You Plant Seeds From Store-Bought Watermelons?

Yes, you can plant seeds from store-bought watermelons! Although you can grow them, you may not get the exact results you’re looking for. Watermelon flowers will cross-pollinate with other varieties, forming new hybrids when you plant their seeds.

Succession sow lettuce. Close-up of a man's hand showing bright green rosettes of lettuce with ruffled wavy foliage growing in a raised bed among purple varieties.

Vegetables

How to Succession Sow Lettuce for a Continual Crop

Lettuce doesn’t have to be seasonal. Succession sowing allows you to grow a continual crop for a steady flow of leafy greens. Year-round lettuce means fresh salads, sandwiches, and wraps no matter the weather! Use these seven steps to grow lettuce throughout the year.

Top view, close-up of a lawn with brown patches among bright green grass in a garden.

Plant Problems

How to Fix the Brown Patches in Your Lawn

Brown patches are unsightly sores in your lawn. They turn a perfect, green yard into a struggling one! Fear not, as these seven steps will turn a dying lawn into a thriving one. Learn how to reseed bare patches alongside landscaper Jerad Bryant.

Weeds

5 Pro Tips to Cut Down on Summer Weeds

Summer weeds seem to pop up out of nowhere! They take up space, steal nutrients from your plants, and spread pests. Use these five pro tips from seasoned grower Jerad Bryant, and cut down on your summer weeds.

A rectangular dark container holds a variety of lush green plants, including those with broad, smooth leaves and others with more delicate, textured foliage, deterring insects naturally.

Garden Pests

19 Container Plants That Deter Biting Insects

Biting insects are the last ones you want in your garden! These pesky critters target your soft skin when you least expect it. Instead of swatting them, try planting these 19 container plants around your yard. They’ll help you battle the biters so they stay far from the garden.

A close-up shot of a wooden container filled with freshly harvested black harvest germs of an herb, showcasing how to save basil seeds

Seeds

How to Harvest and Save Your Own Basil Seeds

Don’t buy basil from the store—save seeds instead! Basil produces hundreds of them at the end of the growing season. Collect these to propagate new seedlings the next spring. Join seasoned grower Jerad Bryant in following these seven easy steps for saving basil seeds.

Lush flowering hedge with glossy green leaves and clusters of small pink blossoms, offering vibrant seasonal color and inspiration for charming hedge ideas.

Ornamental Gardens

11 Unconventional Hedge Ideas for Your Landscape

Hedges don’t have to be plain, boring, and green. A surprising range of plants can make ideal hedges! Any species that tolerates habitual pruning works well, though some are better suited than others. Pacific Northwest grower Jerad Bryant shares 11 unconventional hedge ideas for your landscape.