DSG

Dr. Sarah Green

Sarah earned her doctorate in plant biology and spent time working in botanical garden education before transitioning to freelance writing and consulting. Now based in Portland, Oregon, she teaches plant identification workshops at local community centers and maintains a modest collection of over 60 houseplants in her small apartment. Sarah specializes in helping beginners understand plant science without the jargon—her approach focuses on practical observation over theory. She's killed her fair share of fiddle leaf figs and finally cracked the code on keeping them alive.

36 articles

Joined October 2025

Articles by Dr. Sarah Green

Plant Identification

Simple vs Compound Leaves: How to Tell the Difference

Confused by simple vs compound leaves? Learn the one-bud test that separates them instantly, plus why this single distinction unlocks accurate plant identification.

Plant Identification

How to Identify Poison Ivy, Poison Oak & Sumac

Learn to identify poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac by their leaves, growth habit, and habitat—plus the urushiol science behind why all three cause the same rash.

Plant Identification

Wildflower Identification by Color: Name Any Flower

Use flower color as your starting point for wildflower identification, then confirm with petal count, symmetry, leaf arrangement, and bloom season to name any flower you find.

Planting Guides

Best Cool-Season Vegetables for Pacific Northwest Gardens

The maritime Pacific Northwest is built for cool-season crops. Learn the best peas, brassicas, greens, and alliums, plus the spring-and-fall double-cycle that defines PNW vegetable gardening.

Plant Care

Why Pacific Northwest Soil Is Acidic + How to Fix It

Acidic soil in the Pacific Northwest comes from decades of heavy rain leaching out calcium and magnesium. Here's the chemistry behind it and how to fix it with lime.

Plant Identification

Common Lawn Weeds Identification Guide

A common lawn weeds identification guide for homeowners. Learn to tell broadleaf weeds, grassy weeds, and sedges apart—and what each one reveals about your soil.

Planting Guides

When to Plant Garlic in the Pacific Northwest

Plant garlic in the Pacific Northwest from mid-October through November. Get the fall planting calendar, the best hardneck and softneck varieties, and the drainage and mulch tricks that beat our wet winters.

Plant Identification

Flower Identification Guide: Petals, Shape & Color Explained

A botanist's flower identification guide using petal count, symmetry, arrangement, and color to narrow any flower down to family and species without guessing.

Plant Care

Pacific Northwest Gardening Guide: Climate, Soil & Plant Selection

Pacific Northwest gardening guide covering maritime and inland climates, acidic soil management, plant selection by zone, native species, and season extension across USDA Zones 4b–9a.

Planting Guides

Zone 8b

When to Plant Peppers in Portland: Complete Guide + Best Varieties for Zone 8b

Plant peppers in Portland after March 19 when soil reaches 60°F. Start seeds indoors January 15-22 for transplant by early April in Zone 8b's unique maritime climate.

·Portland, OR

Planting Guides

Zone 8b

When to Plant Lettuce in Portland: Complete Guide + Best Varieties for Zone 8b

Learn when to plant lettuce in Portland with specific dates for Zone 8b. Compare 6 varieties and discover why the Willamette Valley's maritime climate makes Portland one of America's premier lettuce cities with near year-round production.

·Portland, OR

Plant Identification

How to Identify Any Plant: A Beginner's Guide to Leaves, Flowers, and Stems

Plant identification starts with three observations: leaf arrangement, leaf shape, and flower structure. Master these three features and you can narrow any plant to its family in minutes.

Plant Identification

How to Identify Trees by Their Leaves: Shapes, Margins, and Venation Explained

Tree identification starts with the leaf. Shape, margin, arrangement, and venation narrow thousands of species to a handful. This visual guide covers the 8 key leaf features that identify any North American tree.

Plant Identification

How to Use a Dichotomous Key: Step-by-Step Guide to Keying Out Any Plant

A dichotomous key is a series of two-choice questions that narrows thousands of species to one. Here is how to read one, use one on a real plant, and troubleshoot when you get stuck — no botany degree required.

Plant Identification

How to Identify Conifers: Pines, Spruces, and Firs Simplified

Pine, spruce, or fir? Three tests settle it: needle attachment, needle cross-section, and cone orientation. Pines have bundled needles, spruces have square rollable needles, and firs have flat soft needles with upright cones.

Plant Identification

Alternate vs Opposite Leaf Arrangement: The MADCapHorse Mnemonic Explained

Most trees have alternate leaves. The short list of opposite-leaved trees is remembered with one mnemonic: MADCapHorse — Maples, Ash, Dogwoods, Caprifoliaceae, and Horsechestnuts. Here is how to check arrangement and why it matters.

Planting Guides

Zone 8b

When to Plant Cucumbers in Portland: Complete Guide + Best Varieties for Zone 8b

Learn when to plant cucumbers in Portland with specific dates for Zone 8b. Compare 6 varieties and discover which produce best in Oregon's Willamette Valley climate.

·Portland, OR

Plant Care

Tree Ecosystem Services: How to Calculate What Your Trees Are Worth

Discover how to calculate the monetary value of your trees using proven scientific methods for carbon sequestration, stormwater management, and property enhancement.

Plant Care

Choosing Climate-Ready Trees: Species Selection for 2050 and Beyond

Learn how to select climate resilient trees that will thrive in projected 2050-2070 climates. Master the shift from native-only to climate-adapted species palettes.

Plant Care

Best Grow Lights for Monstera: Complete Comparison (2026)

Discover the best grow lights for monstera plants with our comprehensive comparison of full-spectrum LEDs, coverage areas, and light intensity requirements.

Plant Care

ANSI A300 Tree Care Standards: What Every Arborist Needs to Know in 2026

The consolidated ANSI A300 Tree Care Operations standard serves as the legal authority for professional tree care practices across all US courts.

Plant Care

Prescriptive Pruning: The PPQ Model for Structural Tree Care

Master the science-based PPQ model for structural tree care - comprehensive guide to prescriptive pruning methods, biological limits, timing protocols.

Plant Care

Urban Forest Management Technology: AI, LiDAR, and Digital Tools for 2026

Discover cutting-edge urban forest management software, AI diagnostics, and LiDAR technology transforming how cities manage trees in 2026.

Planting Guides

Zone 8b

When to Plant Squash in Portland: Complete Guide + Best Varieties for Zone 8b

Plant squash in Portland from mid-April through June for summer varieties, May 15-June 15 for winter types. Zone 8b's 235-day season supports all squash varieties.

·Portland, OR

Planting Guides

Zone 8b

When to Plant Onions in Portland: Complete Guide + Best Varieties for Zone 8b

Learn when to plant onions in Portland with specific dates for Zone 8b. Compare 6 varieties, get a complete timeline, and discover which onions grow best in Oregon.

·Portland, OR

Planting Guides

Zone 8b

When to Plant Kale in Portland: Complete Guide + Best Varieties for Zone 8b

Plant kale in Portland August-October for winter harvest, or March-May for summer crops. Zone 8b's mild climate allows year-round kale growing with proper timing.

·Portland, OR

Plant Care

Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaves Dropping? Here's Why (+ Fixes)

Your fiddle leaf fig Ficus lyrata is dropping leaves because of environmental shock, watering issues, or pest problems—here's how to diagnose and fix it fast.

Planting Guides

Zone 8b

When to Plant Tomatoes in Portland: Complete Guide + Best Varieties for Zone 8b

Learn when to plant tomatoes in Portland with specific dates for Zone 8b. Compare 6 varieties & discover which grow best in Oregon's maritime climate.

·Portland, OR