Now that the warmer months are here it’s time to work on your summer landscape and summer garden! A variety of things can affect the health of your garden, including your gutters and most do not realize how gutters can impact your garden for better and for worse!
If your gutter system has been improperly installed or hasn’t been properly maintained, it can cause major problems not only to your home but also to your yard. If the gutters are clogged for any reason, excess water can run over into your yard, causing a muddy mess!
Prevent Excess Water
Rainwater is a good thing for a garden or yard but if there is any excess pooling due to issues with your gutters, it can cause damage to your plants. Overflow from the gutters can mean potential danger for your garden! Overflow occurs, especially during heavy rainfall when the gutters are clogged. If your garden is close to your house, the large amounts of water can dump on to the plants and drown them.
Plants breathe through their roots and when there is too much water, they start to suffocate and die off. Too much water drowns the roots and can prevent them from forming deep, healthy systems while starving the soil of oxygen.
Damage to the garden happens when you fail to keep your gutters clean and clear of leaves and other debris which is why it’s best to keep up with routine maintenance. It is easy to prevent the potential dangers that gutters may have on your garden when your gutters are clean and clear of any debris.
Risk of Potential Harm to Plants
Rainwater from the gutters can be beneficial for a garden but if clogged, natural waste from birds or other small animals can get into the downspout and contaminate the water. When this water seeps into the ground, it can carry bacteria that are harmful to the plant’s roots. Contaminated water can cause plants to discolor, become stunted, grow irregularly or even die.
Naturally watering your garden with rainwater can be the best option because rainwater contains macro-nutrients that plants need to thrive. It can be a great option to use the water from your gutter for your garden but it’s best to make sure that your gutter system is clean and clear of any type of debris.
Prevent Soil Erosion
Clogged gutters and downspouts can cause excess water to pool into the yard or garden and this excess water can lead to soil erosion. Soil erosion means that the excess water can wash away soil, especially the topsoil which is the best and most nutrient-rich soil useful for plant growth.
Routine maintenance is your best bet to keep a nice yard and garden but if you notice clogs happening more often than you would like, it may be time to contact the professionals! If you are interested in professional gutter cleaning services, contact Gutter Pros today at (314) 656-7195 and allow our experienced technicians to help, leaving your gutters and your home looking better than ever!