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.

Close-up of a ladybug feeding on yellow aphids on a plant stem as part of fall integrated pest management.

Garden Pests

Integrated Pest Management in the Fall Garden

When the leaves begin to turn and the air takes on a chill, most pests go to sleep. But that doesn’t mean it’s time for you to do the same! Master naturalist and experienced gardener Sarah Jay provides tips for your fall integrated pest management regimen.

A close-up and base-angle shot of slender blades and cones of a pinus sapling, showcasing why pine trees are turning brown

Trees

Pine Trees Turning Brown: Causes and Solutions

Pine trees take on browning leaves at times, and knowing the reason for their browning is important. Follow along as experienced gardener and master naturalist Sarah Jay discusses the reasons your pines are turning brown.

A vibrant display of densely packed flowers with broad, delicate petals, featuring shades of light pink and deep magenta with spotted patterns in the center, often considered among the best flowers for allergies.

Flowers

11 Best Flowers for Allergy Sufferers

If you’re an allergy sufferer, but you love flowers, despair not! There are plenty of options out there that won’t cause reactions. Experienced gardener Sarah Jay lists 11 flowers that people with allergies can plant away.

A close-up and overhead shot of several developing allium crops, showcasing why onions are not forming bulbs

Plant Problems

7 Reasons Your Onions Aren’t Forming Bulbs

Putting time and energy into a patch of onions can reap great rewards, but it’s a bummer to pull one at harvest only to find a tiny bulb. Experienced gardener Sarah Jay covers 7 reasons your onions haven’t formed those luscious, layered bulbs.

A woman's hand applies baking soda using a small garden trowel to ripe clusters of bright red, round, glossy-skinned tomatoes hanging from a vertical stem in the garden.

Vegetables

Is Baking Soda Good for Tomatoes?

There are plenty of garden myths out there, and using half-baked homemade formulations are part of that. But some of these remedies do have their benefits when used correctly. Experienced gardener Sarah Jay discusses how baking soda could be a viable option.

A garden bed with plants you don't plant in July, including beets, lettuce and other crops

Gardening Tips

Don’t Plant These 13 Garden Plants in July

Timing is key to growing lots of lovely, healthy fruits and veggies. Planting at the wrong time can make or break a plant’s lifespan, and there are certainly plenty to avoid sowing in July. When it comes to these 13 plants, don’t plant in July. Wait for the right time.