Posts By

Sarah Jay

Sarah is a staff writer and content strategist at Epic Gardening. She spends most of her time researching and writing about native/adapted plants and the ecological systems that make up our growing climates.

A shot of a large composition potted plants and flowers, all situated in a yard area, showcasing perennial garden containers

Gardening Tips

How to Grow a Perennial Garden in Pots and Containers

When you decide to grow a perennial garden, containers are an option! So many lovely plants remain root hardy in containers and return year after year. With the right care, it’s possible to maintain a thriving perennial garden in your favorite planters. Experienced gardener, Sarah Jay, shows you how here.

A close-up shot of a composition of several ripe and large, light-purple colored tubers, showcasing the biggest sweet potato crop

Edible

How to Get the Biggest Sweet Potato Crop at Home

At the Epic Homestead, Kevin and the crew grew the biggest sweet potato crop ever. Here, we detail what steps they took and the different methods they used, so you can grow your own with ease. Experienced gardener Sarah Jay details their process here.

A close-up shot of a large composition of tall yellow flowers, slight blurred in the background, developing alongside pink flowers, showcasing a mix sunflowers zinnias

Flowers

How to Mix Sunflowers and Zinnias for a Pollinator Paradise

They’re both attractive to pollinators, so it makes sense to want to mix sunflowers and zinnias in your garden. Do this, and you’ll create a paradise for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and more. Experienced gardener Sarah Jay discusses how to combine these two beautiful blooms effectively.

A close-up shot of a composition of developing lettuce crops on a raised bed, beside gardening tools and a metal watering can, showcasing how to grow own food

Edible

Grow Your Own Food This Summer: Where to Start

If you’ve always wanted to grow your own food, but you haven’t taken the plunge yet, now is the time! Growers in most parts of North America can still get seeds in the ground and grow some delicious crops to feed themselves and their families. If you don’t know where to start, experienced gardener Sarah Jay walks you through the process here.

A close-up and base-angle shot of several tall, vibrant yellow colored flowers, atop sturdy green stems showcasing towering sunflowers

Flowers

5 Tricks for Towering Sunflowers This Summer

The romantic feeling a row of towering sunflowers provides to a garden is unmatched. At the height of summer, these blooms follow the sun each day, as it rises and sets. If you want to grow towering sunflowers, know that it’s not hard! Experienced gardener Sarah Jay shares five tips for growing tall, stately sunnies.

A close-up shot of a person's hand in the process of using a pruner to trim and cut a common lilac, showcasing spring perennial pruning

Gardening Tips

Spring Perennial Pruning Done Right: Our Best Tips

Before you take care of spring perennial pruning, there are a few things you should know. Certain tips will guide your pruning process, and ultimately, they’ll help you understand your garden more. Experienced gardener Sarah Jay covers five basic pointers to help you with your snip sesh.

A close-up shot of a composition of vibrant red-orange colored flowers, showcasing summer bulbs May

Bulbs

7 Gorgeous Summer Bulbs to Plant in May

If you want to grow summer bulbs, May is the perfect time to plant them. Do it now, and your summer garden will burst with lilies, irises, gladiolus, and more. If you’re not sure what to plant, experienced gardener Sarah Jay covers seven plants to get in the ground this spring for summer splendor.

A close-up and overhead shot of a small ladybug crawling on a cluster of white colored yarrow flowers, showcasing natural pest control

Garden Pests

7 Natural Pest Control Hacks That Will Save Your Garden

The best natural pest control doesn’t require chemicals. It’s more about mechanical and cultural conditions than it is about spraying pests as you notice them. If you’re wondering how to keep insect pests at bay in your garden, experienced gardener Sarah Jay has seven tips to help you out.

A close-up shot of several containers with developing aromatic plants, all placed on a patio area, showcasing potted herb garden

Herbs

How to Grow the Perfect Potted Herb Garden

Growing a potted herb garden is a worthwhile endeavor, whether it’s indoors or outdoors. If this is your first time, there are a few things to know that will set you up for success. Experienced gardener, Sarah Jay, covers how to set up and care for your herbs here.

A close-up shot of a turned off red, colored mower beside flowering weeds, showcasing no mow May

Gardening Tips

It’s No Mow May: How to Do it Right

In an effort to better support pollinators, people all over the world start spring with No Mow May. This well-intentioned action gives early spring pollinators some food as other plants just begin to bloom. But by taking a few extra steps, you can make your No Mow May even better. Master Naturalist, Sarah Jay, shows you how.