In this issue:

  1. May in the Garden – Spring Fever
  2. Video: Strategy to Keep Herbs from Bolting Early
  3. Gardenerd Tip of the Month: Where to Find Serenade?
  4. Gardenerd Product of the Month: Bolting to Seed – a New Novel

1. May in the Garden – Spring Fever

May means that we focus on mothers, new beginnings for graduates, and spring fever in the garden. What are you planting this month?

Here at Gardenerd HQ, we’re planting shiso and summer spinach in one bed along with yard-long beans. Our summer and winter squashes are taking hold, but not yet flowering. We’ve got one dragon fruit flower so far (hand pollinated – check!), and more lettuces seeded this week. Our tomatoes and peppers are setting fruit, and we’re watching the slow progress on our pineapple (it takes 6 months to develop from fruit-set). Old kale is coming out to make room for watermelons later this month. It’s an exciting time in the garden!

In this newsletter, you’ll find one strategy to prevent tender herbs from bolting too quickly, and advice about an old biofungicide that’s no longer available. Also, my new novel, Bolting to Seedis officially available for pre-order now! Check out the options below. Or register for our Goodreads Giveaway between May 21 and June 2, 2026. We’re giving away a copy to 4 lucky winners.

Happy gardening,

Christy

After hand pollination, the dragon fruit flower closes and fruit swells at the base.

2. Video: 1 Planting Strategy to Keep Herbs Cool in Hot Weather

Learn one trick to help keep your herbs cool in summer – implement it now!

Tired of seeing your cilantro and parsley bolt to seed early? Try this trick now to prevent it in summer:

1 Planting Strategy To Keep Herbs from Bolting Early

3. Gardenerd Tip of the Month – Ask Gardenerd: Where to Find Serenade?

Powdery mildew acorn squash
Serenade was a biofungicide that helped prevent powdery mildew like this

Ask Gardenerd: What Happened to Serenade?

Got powdery mildew? So does our client who wrote into Ask Gardenerd this week. Find alternatives to our favorite bio-fungicide in this post.

Ask Gardenerd: What Happened To Serenade?

4. Gardenerd Product of the Month – Bolting to Seed Available for Pre-Order!

Bolting to Seed is coming on June 1st. Pre-order your copy now!

That’s right, Christy’s new novel, Bolting to Seed is available to pre-order right now! You can order autographed copies from Gardenerd directly (makes a great gift!), or from your favorite independent bookseller. Ebooks are also available wherever you get your digital books. Continue the story of Lizzie, Jared, and the rest of the crew at Vista Mar Community Garden. Our first review came in:

This is a very entertaining cozy read with believable, imperfect characters! I loved the setting in a community garden and the gardening information sprinkled throughout. Suspenseful but fun!

~~Christina D., Netgalley

And don’t forget…

Get your copy of High Yield Small Space Organic Gardening at your favorite bookseller, or order an autographed copy for the gardenerd in your life (even if that’s you!). We’re here to help you grow your best garden this season!

Stay tuned for more tips and tidbits from Gardenerd.com.

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