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 of a monarch butterfly on top of a vibrant magenta colored flower, in the process of feeding on its nectar, showcasing zinnias for butterflies

Flowers

7 Zinnias That Butterflies and Hummingbirds Can’t Resist

Because there are so many to pick from, you can easily grow zinnias for butterflies and hummingbirds. These generous flowers are great for your winged friends, and they’re a confidence booster, no matter your skill level. Experienced gardener, Sarah Jay, discusses seven of the best to grow, and why hummingbirds and butterflies love them so much.

A close-up shot of a bird that is hovering, in the process of getting ready to feed nectar on vines attract hummingbirds

Vines

Grow These 7 Vines to Attract More Hummingbirds to Your Garden

To bring in your favorite pollinators, plant the right plants. Many vines attract hummingbirds, and they’re readily available for bringing home and planting. If you want them to stop by your garden, this is how you do it! Experienced gardener, Sarah Jay, covers seven vines that hummingbirds love.

A close-up shot of a ripening tomato crop growing alongside red-orange colored marigold flowers, showcasing spring vegetable pairings

Vegetables

5 Foolproof Vegetable Garden Pairings That Thrive in Spring

A good pair of veggies growing together can make all the difference in your garden – even if you’re growing in rows. Plant a few spring vegetable pairings this spring, and you’ll keep planting them every year. Experienced gardener Sarah Jay covers five select pairings and the science behind why they work.

A close-up shot of a butterfly on a cluster of purple flowers, growing alongside various flowers in the background, showcasing four season pollinator garden

Ornamental Gardens

How to Design a Four-Season Pollinator Garden

If you’ve dreamed about growing a four-season pollinator garden, it’s never a bad time to start planning for one. If you’re lucky enough to plan in mild spring or fall seasons, you can even plant it out. Experienced gardener Sarah Jay provides guidelines for cultivating a garden that attracts pollinators.

A close-up shot of a ripe legume pod, developing near a wooden fence in a garden area, showcasing how to grow sugar snap peas

Vegetables

Sugar Snap Peas: How to Grow Spring’s Easiest Vegetable

If you’ve never tried before, it’s your year to grow sugar snap peas. These delicious, sweet pods are perfect for eating fresh right out of the garden, and they’re a favorite snack among growers who cultivate them. Experienced gardener, Sarah Jay, outlines how to prep your garden for a sweet, nutritious yield of sugar snaps.

A close-up shot of a cluster of round fruits, growing alongside green leaves on woody branches, showcasing how to plant blueberry spring

Fruits

Blueberry Bushes: Soil Prep, Variety Selection, and Spring Planting

If you choose to plant a blueberry in spring, you should know what preparations are needed. You want to choose the right variety and site carefully, and then prepare the site appropriately to help your bushes thrive. Experienced gardener, Sarah Jay, covers the basics of how to prep for a good summer harvest.

A close-up shot of a thick brown mollusk, crawling on large green leaves of a plant, showcasing slug-resistant hosta

Ornamental Gardens

7 Slug-Resistant Hosta Varieties for Spring

If you have a moist, shady garden, hostas can be difficult to grow. This spring, throw in a few slug-resistant hosta varieties to keep the snails and slugs away. Including these will divert those pesky dudes to leaf litter and weeds where they belong. Experienced gardener Sarah Jay covers seven varieties with slug-repelling properties.

One of the bush vs. vining cucumbers, appearing to have two crops dangling on the plant sitting on the dark brown soil

Vegetables

Bush vs. Vining Cucumbers: Which Is Right for Your Garden?

If you’re asking yourself whether it makes the most sense to grow bush vs. vining cucumbers, worry not! Some basic considerations will help you make the most informed decision, and that leads to lots of delicious cukes. Experienced gardener, Sarah Jay, covers what to think about before you grow.

A female gardener performing April rose care, using a tool to deadhead the blooms attached to a lush shrub with lovely green foliage

Shrubs

April Rose Care: Pruning, Feeding, and Pest Prevention

April rose care is all about supporting your climbers and shrubs as they experience the growth spurt that comes with the warming weather. Experienced gardener, Sarah Jay, walks rose growers through the care process and includes some tips to help roses thrive.

A crate of plants meant to grow herbs indoors vs. outdoors, surrounded by other greens and pots containing a variety of herbs

Herbs

Growing Herbs Indoors vs. Outdoors: Which Is Better for Spring

Is there a difference when you grow herbs indoors vs. outdoors? The answer depends on the context. If you live in a mild climate, both environments may be similar. If your indoor space is sunny, it could be basically the same. Experienced gardener Sarah Jay discusses what differences exist between the two and how to approach growing herbs in both places.

A close-up shot of a person beside a wooden pallet bin, showcasing how to start composting spring

Composting

How to Start Composting: A Beginner’s Guide for Spring

If you want to start composting, spring is a great time to do it. As the weather warms, conditions are ripe for a healthy compost pile with a good rate of decomposition. If you haven’t started developing one of the best soil amendments and bases out there, follow along with experienced gardener, Sarah Jay, as she details how.