973: Christy Wilhelmy on Writing Garden Fiction and Her New Novel

Subtitle

In this Episode Christy Wilhelmy, founder of Garden Nerd and author of multiple gardening books, returns to discuss her upcoming novel Bolting to Seed. The book is the sequel to her debut garden novel Garden Variety and blends gardening education with a cozy mystery storyline set in a community garden. Christy shares how real-life community garden experiences inspired her fiction, how she structures a mystery novel, and why she chose to independently publish the sequel through Kickstarter. Along the way, she highlights how storytelling can inspire people to start gardening, even if they’ve never grown food before.

Our Guest: Christy is the founder of Garden Nerd, the ultimate resource for garden nerds, where she publishes newsletters, her popular blog. Top ranked podcast and YouTube videos. She also specializes in small space, organic vegetable garden design, consulting, and classes. Between 50 and 70% of her family's produce comes from her garden of less than 300 square feet. She is the author of High Yield Small Space Organic Gardening, 400 plus Tips for Organic Gardening Success, Grow Your Own Mini Fruit Garden and her debut novel Garden variety.

Key Topics

1. Christy Wilhelmy
2. Garden Nerd
3. Bolting to Seed novel
4. Garden Variety novel
5. Community gardens as storytelling inspiration
6. Independent publishing and Kickstarter campaigns
7. Cozy mystery genre
8. Gardening education embedded in fiction
9. Small space organic vegetable gardening
10. Scrivener writing software
11. Thrips damage on citrus and nectarines
12. Beneficial insects and insectary plants
13. Lacewings and minute pirate bugs
14. Biological pest control in gardens

Key Questions Answered

How did Christy Wilhelmy move from gardening books into writing fiction?

Christy spent more than 27 years gardening in a community garden and realized the setting was full of unique personalities and stories. She began collecting ideas over time and eventually turned those experiences into her debut novel Garden Variety, a rom-com set in a Los Angeles community garden.

What is the new novel Bolting to Seed about?

The sequel takes place a year after Garden Variety and focuses on late spring and summer in the same community garden. The story blends gardening lessons with a cozy mystery: a murder occurs, and the characters must solve the case while navigating community garden life.

Why did Christy decide to self-publish the new book?

After her agent shopped the manuscript to traditional publishers for nearly a year, she learned that publishers were hesitant to buy sequels unless the first book was a major bestseller. Rather than wait indefinitely, she chose independent publishing to maintain creative control and move the project forward.

How does Christy structure a mystery novel?

She approaches writing as a “planner.” She outlines the story in advance, maps out character arcs, and lists key scenes that must happen to move the plot forward. Using Scrivener, she writes scenes separately and rearranges them until the structure works, filling in gaps and transitions as the story develops.

How are gardening lessons included in the novel?

Christy intentionally makes a list of gardening topics she wants to teach—usually around ten lessons—and integrates them naturally into the storyline. At the end of the book, readers will also find a growing guide summarizing the key gardening takeaways.

What is the Kickstarter campaign supporting?

The Kickstarter helps cover the expenses of independent publishing, including editing, cover design, layout, printing, and marketing. Supporters can pledge at different levels to receive rewards like signed books, custom seed packets, tote bags, virtual launch party tickets, and even cameo appearances in future novels.

How can beneficial insects help manage thrips damage?

Thrips can scar citrus and other fruit during the flowering stage. Encouraging beneficial insects like lacewings and minute pirate bugs through insectary plantings can help control thrips populations naturally.

Episode Highlights

1. Christy shares how decades in a community garden inspired her first novel.
2. Bolting to Seed shifts genres from romantic comedy to a cozy mystery.
3. The sequel introduces new characters and a detective investigating a garden-related murder.
4. Readers can learn gardening techniques while following the story.
5. Christy explains the difference between “planner” and “pantser” writing styles.
6. Independent publishing allows her to design the book exactly how she wants.
7. The Kickstarter campaign includes creative rewards such as appearing in a future novel.
8. Beneficial insect habitats can naturally manage pests like thrips.

Resources

1. Garden Nerd — https://gardennerd.com
2. Kickstarter campaign for Bolting to Seed — https://gardennerd.com
3. Podcast show notes — https://urbanfarm.org/BoltingTwoSeed

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