Keep Pests & Plant Problems in Check: Natural Strategies for a Healthy Garden
Protect your garden naturally with our top strategies for managing pests and plant diseases in the Atlanta Metro area. Learn how to spot problems early, support beneficial insects, and keep your raised beds thriving—without harsh chemicals.
You’ve built your garden, your seedlings are thriving - and then bam, something starts munching, wilting, or turning yellow overnight. Sound familiar? Pests and plant diseases are part of gardening in Georgia’s warm, humid climate - but they don’t have to ruin your harvest.
In this post, we’re sharing our favorite natural, non-toxic strategies for managing pests and common plant issues in the Atlanta Metro area. Whether you’re working with raised beds or containers on your patio, these tips will help keep your garden healthy and productive.
Step 1: Know What You’re Dealing With
The first step to managing pests and disease is knowing what’s normal and what’s not. Spend time in your garden regularly and look for:
• Chewed leaves or holes
• Discoloration or yellowing
• Wilting despite moist soil
• Sticky residue or black mold
• Insects clustered on stems or undersides of leaves
Snapping a quick photo and zooming in can help you spot tiny culprits like aphids or spider mites.
Step 2: Encourage Balance, Not Eradication
Your garden is an ecosystem - and most insects aren’t the enemy. In fact, many are helpful! The key is encouraging balance rather than trying to kill off every critter.
Beneficial insects to welcome:
• Ladybugs (eat aphids)
• Lacewings
• Parasitic wasps
• Bees and butterflies (pollinators)
To support them, plant companion flowers like calendula, marigolds, zinnias, and chamomile throughout your garden.
Step 3: Organic Pest Management Tools
When pests start to tip the balance, try these gentle but effective methods before reaching for harsher solutions:
• Neem oil: Great for aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. Spray in the early morning or evening, not in direct sun.
• Insecticidal soap: Targets soft-bodied insects like aphids and mealybugs.
• Food-grade diatomaceous earth: A fine powder that deters crawling insects like slugs and earwigs.
• Row covers: Protect crops like cabbage and broccoli from cabbage worms and flea beetles.
• Beer traps or copper tape: For slugs and snails, especially after rain.
Be cautious with broad-spectrum sprays - even organic ones - as they can harm beneficial insects if overused. Try not to spray during times when pollinators are active.
Step 4: Preventative Garden Practices
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of pests. Build resilience into your garden with these habits:
• Rotate crops: Don’t plant the same veggie family in the same spot every season.
• Water at the base: Wet leaves promote disease - drip irrigation or hand-watering at soil level is best.
• Inspect transplants: Before planting new starts, check for hitchhiking bugs or eggs.
When to Call for Help
If you’re still stumped by leaf damage or battling a recurring issue, that’s where we come in. At Foxglove & Thyme, we offer hands-on garden coaching and can help identify the issue, troubleshoot solutions, and adjust your garden plan to prevent future problems.
Book a Consultation and let’s tackle those garden invaders together - with confidence and care.
Early Spring Garden Inspiration: Top Veggies to Plant Now in Kennesaw & Beyond
Get a jumpstart on your spring harvest with these easy-to-grow veggies perfect for Kennesaw and the greater Atlanta Metro area. Whether you have a small raised bed or a spacious backyard, we’ll show you how to enjoy fresh, homegrown produce sooner than you think!
Are you itching to get your hands in the dirt as soon as the weather warms up? The early spring season in Kennesaw, Cobb County, and the broader Atlanta Metro area is prime time for growing a bounty of crisp, flavorful vegetables - especially if you’re using raised bed. Whether you’re a first-time gardener or a seasoned pro, here are a few tried-and-true favorites to plant now for a head start on the harvest.
Leafy Greens
Spinach, kale, and lettuce varieties thrive in cooler temperatures, making them perfect for spring planting. They grow quickly, so you’ll enjoy fresh salads in no time. If you’re working with limited space, try adding these greens to a container or raised bed for an easy harvest that’s practically foolproof.
Root Vegetables
Carrots, radishes, and beets can handle a bit of chill, too. Sow them directly in well-draining soil, and keep them evenly watered for the best results. Raised beds are especially helpful for root veggies, since you can control soil depth and texture - resulting in straighter carrots and plumper beets.
Peas & Beans
Early-maturing peas are a staple in any spring garden. They climb upwards, so a trellis or support system makes efficient use of vertical space. You can also sneak in a batch of bush beans once the soil warms slightly; these tender beans can produce steadily into early summer.
Herbs
Don’t overlook the magic of fresh parsley, cilantro, and chives - all of which can handle cooler temps. Herbs add flavor to your meals and color to your garden beds. They also make great companion plants by attracting beneficial insects and helping deter some common pests.
Ready to Grow?
No matter your yard size or skill level, a kitchen garden can bring fresh food right to your table. If you need help designing your layout, choosing plants suited to our local climate, or navigating organic gardening techniques, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Feel free to schedule a free 15 minute discovery call to chat about your spring gardening goals. Let’s make this season the most delicious one yet - straight from your own backyard in Kennesaw or anywhere in Metro Atlanta!
New Year, New Growth: A Look Back at Our First Year in Business
Join us as we look back on a year of garden designs, coaching sessions, and lessons learned in our first year serving Kennesaw and the broader Atlanta Metro area.
Welcome!
Hello, fellow garden enthusiasts! We’re so excited to welcome you to a brand-new year. If you’re new here, our names are Ben & Makara, and we run Foxglove & Thyme, your go-to kitchen garden consultant and coach in Kennesaw, serving much of Cobb County and the Atlanta Metro area.
Reflecting on Our First Year
It’s hard to believe how much has happened in just twelve months. We started out with a vision of bringing fresh, homegrown food to as many people in our surrounding communities as possible - and along the way, we’ve had the opportunities to transform all kinds of spaces into thriving kitchen gardens. One of the most rewarding parts of this journey was working with families who had never grown a single vegetable before. Seeing that spark of excitement as their first vegetables started to flourish reminded us why we love what we do. Each project has been unique, teaching us new ways to personalize our designs and coaching approach so that anyone can experience the simple joy of picking dinner ingredients straight from their yard.
Our Vision Moving Forward
Looking ahead, we’re determined to keep making it easier for people in Atlanta Metro areas to grow their own healthy, organic produce. Part of that means sharing what we’ve learned through more regular updates - such as blog posts, how-to guides, and snapshots of our latest garden builds. We also plan to stay closely connected to our neighbors by partnering with schools, community centers, and other organizations that want to bring gardening to their students and members. We are branching out to designing edible landscapes as well, proving that a garden can be both a functional food source and a stunning addition to your home’s curb appeal. In addition, we hope through partnering with local restaurants and hotels, that we’ll be able to facilitate fresh produce going from their gardens right to their tables. At the heart of it all, our mission remains the same: help everyone experience the satisfaction of nurturing a kitchen garden, whether it’s a cozy raised bed on a small patio or a full-scale edible landscape spanning the yard. No matter your gardening goals, we’re here to cheer you on and offer support every step of the way.
How You Can Get Involved
Curious about starting or upgrading your own kitchen garden? Or maybe you just want to follow along for tips and inspiration? We’d love to connect with you. Check out our social media channels for updates, and feel free to connect with us on our website to schedule a free discovery call or consultation. We’d be more than happy to talk about how we can bring your garden dreams to life - whether you’re just getting started or looking to expand your garden, we’re ready to help!
Final Thoughts
Thank you for your patience and support during our first year. This journey wouldn’t be possible without the trust of our amazing community. Here’s to a new year filled with fresh growth, delicious harvests, and plenty of garden inspiration. Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll dive into the best vegetables to plant for an early spring harvest!
Happy New Year and happy gardening!
Ben & Makara, Co-Owners & Operators, Foxglove & Thyme