Jerad Bryant

• Adding native plants, irises, and succulents, Jerad converted a bare hell strip on his driveway into a pollinator garden full of blooms.
• Working to extend the seasons, Jerad refit his home office with LED lights to create an indoor grow room; he writes where he cultivates crops!
• With help from his partner, Jerad built a raised bed garden in his backyard where he grows fruit, vegetables, and herbs for the kitchen—he uses the produce for cooking, canning, pickling, fermenting, and flavoring.

Experience

Jerad began his career teaching in an after-school program. He yearned for the outdoors, so he pursued work as a landscaper at a private residence in Beverly Hills. Jerad cut down trees, hedged shrubs into perfect shapes, and mowed acres of lawn on the giant property. He wanted to garden more at home, so he moved from Los Angeles to Eugene, Oregon. Jerad continued working in the industry as a self-employed landscaper, and he joined Eugene Wholesale Nursery in administration and growing operations. Here, he learned how to cultivate plants through all stages of their life, from seedling to adulthood. At the Native Plant Garden of Hendrick's Park, he cared for established trees, annuals, and perennials alongside a team of volunteers. With years of experience in the horticultural trades, Jerad runs his blog, Mean Green Garden, to share his adventures and has worked for Epic Gardening as a staff writer. Whenever he's not writing, he's gardening! 

Education

Jerad earned his bachelor's degree in creative writing from the University of Southern California.