In this issue:

  1. December in the Garden – Happy Holidays
  2. Wordless Holiday: Christmas Eve
  3. Gardenerd Tip of the Month: Quick Spicy Chocolate Cookie Recipe
  4. Gardenerd Product of the Month: NEW! High Yield Small Space Organic Gardening

1. December in the Garden – Happy Holidays

I want to start by saying thank you to everyone who reads these weekly / monthly newsletters and Gazettes. Your presence in the Gardenerd Community means a lot to me, and it just wouldn’t be the same without you. I hope these tips and tidbits have helped you grow a more vibrant garden this year.

The holidays are a time to relax, or at least attempt to relax. We unplug to spend more time with family, or to travel, or to sit on the couch and read (that’s me for sure). There is a little more breathing room during that week between Christmas and New Years, when we can slow down or catch up, whichever you fancy. I’ll most likely be weeding, and eating salads from the garden. I encourage you to get good and bored this week. Good things come from boredom.

In this newsletter, you’ll find holiday inspiration and recipe for Spicy Chocolate Cookies to keep you warm this winter. I look forward to 2026 and helping you grow your best garden ever.

Happy holidays,

Christy

Spicy chocolate cookies (see below for recipe) and ginger scones are the result of our recent holiday baking jag.

2. Wordless Wednesday: Christmas Eve

Yes, tomatoes in December. These yellow cherry tomato volunteers will produce in the next couple of months with any luck.

Enjoy this Wordless Wednesday filled with holiday cheer.

Wordless Wednesday: Christmas Eve

3. Gardenerd Tip of the Month – Spicy Chocolate Cookies

Spicy Chocolate Cookies made with home grown cayenne

Spicy Chocolate Cookie Recipe

These are simple and not fancy, but they’ll keep you coming back for more. Make them as mild or as spicy as you like.

4. Gardenerd Product of the Month – NEW! High Yield Small Space Organic Gardening

High Yield, Small Space Organic Gardening
Christy’s new book will help you grow abundantly this summer

Give the gift of knowledge to your favorite gardenerd. Here’s what critics are saying about High Yield Small Space Organic Gardening:

From The Gardenangelists, Carol Michel and Dee Nash:

“If you want a garden at your home and you don’t have a lot of space, [the book] has tons of ideas for how to make a really nice garden…There’s a ton of good information in here; [the author] really knows her stuff.”

From Helen Yoest, Bee Better Naturally:

As a dedicated organic gardener for wildlife and food, I was impressed by how [the author] could succinctly pack in so much information. High Yield, Small Space Organic Gardening will be all you need if you are new to organic gardening.”

Get your copy at your favorite bookseller, or order an autographed copy for the gardenerd in your life (even if that’s you!).

Stay tuned for more tips and tidbits from Gardenerd.com. Happy Holidays, and we’ll see you in 2026!

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