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 close-up and overhead shot of an opened packet of plant ovules, placed on a wooden surface, showcasing how long seeds last

Gardening Tips

How Long Do Seeds Last? 3 Ways to Test Viability

From year to year, it’s hard to determine how long seeds last without testing them. But there are ways to know the viability of your seeds even before you plant them. Follow along with experienced gardener, Sarah Jay, as she covers three ways to test your seeds.

An overhead and close-up shot of several leafy green, purple and red colored crops arranged in rows, showcasing easy healthy greens grow january

Edible

7 Easy and Healthy Greens to Grow at Home in January

Whether you have room to plant them indoors or outdoors, it doesn’t take much to help your easy, healthy greens grow. January happens to be a great month to get them started. Experienced gardener Sarah Jay discusses seven of the most nutritious greens you can grow at home.

A close-up shot of a large pruner, in the process of trimming branches and leaves of a tree, showcasing january pruning guide plants

Gardening Tips

January Pruning Guide: 5 Plants to Prune this Month

It’s time for your January pruning guide! Plants on this list are prime for pruning this month – some with caveats. Late winter is a great time to shape certain trees and shrubs. Experienced gardener Sarah Jay covers five plants to prune now and offers tips on how to do it.

A closeup of assorted fir trees landscape options appearing to have lush branches with vibrant green needles

Ornamental Gardens

7 Best Fir Trees for the Home Landscape

There is much good to say about fir trees. Landscape with them and you will learn! If you hope to add a few to your yard, there are some things to consider. Follow along with experienced gardener, Sarah Jay, as she covers seven of the best cultivars to grow in your garden.

A close-up shot of a large composition of tall foliage, all covered in light snow, showcasing hedge plants winter

Ornamental Gardens

7 Hedge Plants That Look Gorgeous All Winter

When it comes to hedge plants, winter doesn’t have to be their demise. Multiple plants remain green through winter, or bear beautiful berries and flowers. Experienced gardener and master naturalist, Sarah Jay has seven plants that not only look great, but also serve the ecosystem!

A close-up and overhead shot of a small composition of blooming purple-blue colored flowers, showcasing the best perennials winter sow

Gardening Tips

7 Best Perennials to Winter Sow

For greatest success, gardeners form a plan for spring, including some of the best perennials. Winter sow these seven perennial plants for years of blooms that form the backbone of an ecologically friendly garden. Experienced gardener Sarah Jay discusses how to do it here.

A close-up shot of a small composition of developing seedlings of a crop, all placed in DIY containers, showcasing how to start seeds toilet paper rolls

Gardening Tips

How to Start Seeds in Toilet Paper Rolls

Winter is a great time to start seeds. Toilet paper rolls make great containers for those who want a sustainable, zero-waste option to do it. There are a few particulars to consider if you want to go this route. Thankfully, experienced gardener Sarah Jay has used this method before.

Houseplants refresh air, including spider plants and snake plants grown in containers placed indoors against a pale blue wall

Houseplants

7 Houseplants That Refresh Stagnant Indoor Air

Have you ever heard that houseplants refresh air in homes and offices? While there is contention about whether this is the case, it doesn’t hurt to add a few plants to indoor spaces. If anything, they’ll refresh the interior with their color and presence. Experienced gardener Sarah Jay has seven plants you can grow indoors to liven up the space.

Clean orchid leaves as a person uses a spray bottle and a piece of cloth to wipe the plant's leaves placed near the window, the plant blooming flowers

Houseplants

5 Tips for Clean and Shiny Orchid Leaves

Clean orchid leaves make your plant healthier and happier. But new orchid growers might not have the best idea how to clean them. Experienced gardener, Sarah Jay, provides tips on how to have shiny orchid leaves all year long.