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 small composition of dried up chilli crops, placed alongside a wooden spoon filled with a red chilli powder, showcasing garden pest spicy trick

Gardening Tips

Garden Pests Hate This One Spicy Trick

Gardening gives rise to inventive techniques, many of which come from longstanding home methods! This trick is one of those, and it’s especially useful for deterring pests from bird seed. Discover what garden pests hate alongside seasoned grower Jerad Bryant.

A close-up shot of a person in the process of raking fallen leaves, beside a wheelbarrow filled with debris, showcasing fall cleanup mistakes

Gardening Tips

9 Fall Cleanup Mistakes That Can Kill Your Perennials

Don’t jump the gun! Cleaning up too much, too early, or too late in the season can kill your perennials. It’s best to use minimally disruptive cleanup methods for the fall. Grab a rake, get your gloves on, and prepare to clean up the garden with holistic, non-harmful methods.

Garlic planting timeline. Close-up of a large garden spade inserted into loose brown soil, surrounded by freshly planted garlic cloves arranged in neat rows.

Edible

Fall Garlic Planting Timeline by Region

Wondering when to plant garlic? Wonder no more. The optimal time to plant garlic depends on your local climate. Plant cloves this fall and winter for big, bulbous heads next summer. Join longtime garlic grower Jerad Bryant to discover your fall garlic planting timeline.

A neat rock path free of weeds winds through a garden, bordered on one side by lush woodland and tropical plants and on the other by blooming perennials, native greenery, and low-growing groundcovers.

Weeds

Weed-Free Garden Paths: How to Create and Maintain Them

Paths are like the bones of the garden; they give the site structure and balance. Without them, where would you walk? They’re necessary components of a well-thought-out landscape. Learn how to create and maintain weed-free garden paths with longtime landscaper Jerad Bryant.

A close-up shot of a composition of vibrant pink colored spiky flowers, showcasing powdery mildew bee balm

Plant Diseases

How to Prevent and Treat Powdery Mildew on Bee Balm

Bee balm is beautiful, but it’s also super susceptible to powdery mildew. Some varieties are more sensitive than others, and you’ll notice white, fuzzy growth all over their leaves. Join seasoned grower Jerad Bryant and learn how to prevent and treat powdery mildew on bee balm.

A neatly mowed, dense lawn with uniform green blades and a smooth, even surface displays grass seeds suitable for almost any region.

Seeds

The Best Grass Seed For Your Region: Lawn Pro Recommendations

Wondering what type of grass seed to buy this year? Wonder no more! Here are expert recommendations for the best grasses in each ecoregion. Choose a few new cultivars, or go for a tried-and-true mix that’s dependable. Join lawn pro Jerad Bryant in shopping for the best grass seed mixture for your region.

A person using pruners to harvest grapes, which appear dark purple and ripe perfect for fresh eating and other uses

Harvesting

When and How to Harvest Grapes

It’s the end of the growing season, and grapes are turning from green to bright purple. It may be time to harvest! First, look for ripeness. Then, harvest the grapes and preserve them for year-round use. Join backyard grape grower Jerad Bryant to learn when and how to harvest your grapes.

A wicker basket sits on green grass scattered with fallen autumn leaves, filled with freshly picked quince fruits that are round to slightly oval with bright yellow skin.

Harvesting

3 Signs Your Quince Fruit is Ripe for Harvest

Quince trees are unlikely treasures in a U.S. garden! Their fruit is not available at the grocery store, and growing them is the best way to try them. The trees require care similar to that of apples and pears. Learn how to tell if this rare fruit is ripe for harvesting alongside seasoned grower Jerad Bryant.

Bright pink, oval-shaped ripe dragon fruits with green-tipped scales hang from long, trailing cactus-like stems of the tree.

Fruits

How to Tell Your Dragon Fruit is Ripe and Ready to Pick

After a long year of encouraging flower buds and ripening fruit, the harvest time is approaching! It’s time to pick your dragon fruit. Harvest them too soon, and they’ll be bland and tasteless. Learn how to tell they’re ripe, sweet, and ready to pick alongside longtime gardener Jerad Bryant.