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 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.

A close-up shot of a large colony of green colored insects, crawling on a purple-red stem of a plant, showcasing how to deal with aphids naturally

Garden Pests

How to Deal With Aphids Naturally Before They Take Over

While sprays work for the moment, knowing how to deal with aphids naturally is the way to control them in your garden for the long run. Sprays can reduce the effectiveness of other forms of pest control, and there are multiple strategies you can employ. Experienced gardener, Sarah Jay, discusses seven ways to keep them at bay.

A close-up and overhead shot of a person's hands wearing gloves, in the process of trimming a flowering bush using pruning shears, showcasing shrub pruning guide

Shrubs

The Ultimate Shrub Pruning Guide

With so many different timings and ways to maintain shrubs, we’ve developed a shrub pruning guide. Covering nine of the most popular shrubs, we discuss when to prune them and how to do it. Experienced gardener, Sarah Jay, takes you through the process here.

A close-up of a developing flowering plant, placed on rich amended soil, showcasing weed or perennial

Weeds

Weed or Emerging Perennial? How to Tell the Difference

If you planted seeds in the fall, you may wonder if the sprouts you’re seeing are those of a weed or perennial. While the easy answer is just to know your perennial seedlings, there are other, easier ways to know the difference. Experienced gardener and master naturalist Sarah Jay discusses the ways to differentiate them.

A close-up shot of a small composition of round, red, ripe crops dangling on vines, showcasing when plant tomatoes outside

Edible

When to Plant Tomatoes Outside: A Guide for Each Region

You have to be careful when determining when to plant tomatoes outside, especially if you live in a colder zone. These warm-weather plants are sensitive to frost, and planting too early can cause problems, sometimes leading to serious damage. Experienced gardener Sarah Jay covers how to time your plantings by hardiness zone – with some caveats!

A close-up shot of a pile and a container of brown colored ovule, beside blue flowers on thin stems, showcasing how to grow flaxseeds

Seeds

How to Grow Your Own Flaxseeds

It’s very easy to grow flaxseeds, as long as you know which to plant and how to care for them. Knowing how to harvest helps too! Get these things right, and you’re on your way to a huge supply of your own homegrown flaxseeds. Experienced gardener Sarah Jay shows you how to grow them here.

A close-up shot of a small composition of vibrant red-orange colored blooms, sitting atop its green foliage, showcasing how to direct sow marigods

Flowers

How to Direct Sow Marigolds in the Garden

This spring, direct sow marigolds for blooms that keep going through late summer. They’re some of the best companion plants in the veggie garden, acting as a trap crop and nematode repellent. The flowers of any marigold are beautiful. Experienced gardener, Sarah Jay, covers what you need to know to sow these in your garden now.

A close-up shot of a large composition of double flowers, one placed in a pot and in the middle, showcasing the rockapulco impatiens

Flowers

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Rockapulco® Impatiens

If you want to grow rose-like blooms without the same level of commitment, Rockapulco® impatiens are a great option. These annuals are perfect in spring and summer gardens, and thrive in the shade. Experienced gardener, Sarah Jay, discusses how to cultivate them here.

A close-up shot of a large composition of vibrant petunia flowers placed in large containers, showcasing how to keep annuals blooming

Ornamental Gardens

5 Ways to Keep Annuals Blooming all Summer Long

If you’ve grown a spring annual that blooms and then that’s it, you probably want to know how to keep annuals blooming through their entire season. With the right care, you can do this, and many will reseed and bloom again even more profusely. Experienced gardener Sarah Jay discusses how to keep flowers in the garden even longer.

An area with spring container combinations, appearing to have blooms popping out of the lush and healthy plants in pots surrounded by bright green foliage

Ornamental Gardens

7 Spring Container Combinations That Look Planted By a Pro

If you’ve ever wanted to create spring container combinations that have a professional vibe, now is the time! These arrangements are achievable no matter the size of your garden, whether it’s solely in containers or an established in-ground space. Experienced gardener and former landscaper, Sarah Jay, lays out seven you can build right now.