The Real Dangers Of Leaving Your Garden Overgrown

Although it might be tempting to keep your gardening gloves off and your shears safely stored away as the weather gets wetter and colder, you should ensure that you give your garden one last tidy for the autumn. The dangers of an overgrown garden can be more serious and impacting than you realise, especially as the weather gets worse. Here are some of those dangers and what you should do to address them.

Uninvited Guests

One of the best reasons to tidy up the garden, mow the lawn, and rake away any leaves in the autumn is that, otherwise, it could be the perfect shelter for pests. Rodents and insects love tall grass and dense shrubs, and these infestations can easily spread to the house over time. Given that pests can easily carry diseases, damage the home, or just generally make your living space a lot less hygienic, you don’t want to give them the chance to gain ground. Regularly trimming your garden, clearing the undergrowth, and maintaining tidy borders greatly reduces your chance of having unwelcome guests.

Overgrown Trees Pose Real Risks

If your trees have been left unchecked to grow all year, they could become a real hazard. Aside from doing light damage to your home, such as by scraping your walls, falling leaves can easily block your gutters. What’s more, weak or overly heavy limbs could fall, especially in high winds and stormy weather. If you’re not certain how much of your tree you can trim while keeping it healthy, finding a tree surgery specialist can provide you with some peace of mind. The risk of falling branches can cause serious damage or even injury if someone happens to be underneath it at the time, so deal with it ASAP.

The Risks Of Slips And Falls

As the weather gets weather, the surfaces outside the home can easily begin to accumulate layers of moss, algae, and damp organic matter. Patios, paths, and decking can become a lot more slippery as a result, which can lead to dangerous falls. Regularly cleaning these areas and using a power washer to clear away any layer of matter on top can ensure that they maintain grip and stay visible.

The Real Fire Risks

Even if the weather does stay uncharacteristically dry for autumn, that’s not necessarily a good thing. Leaving leaves and overgrown grass or bushes lingering as we get into the dryer air of winter can lead to real fire hazards. A stray spark from a lighter or cooking outdoors could turn dense foliage and dead leaves into tinder, and fire can easily spread from the garden to the home. Regularly pruning your plants, clearing the debris, and sweeping the pathways and patios can make sure that you manage the fire risk as best as you can.

Finding that one dry day, or even a few dry hours, to finish tidying up your garden is important. Otherwise, you could have all kinds of problems to deal with down the line.

*Disclosure: This was a collaborative post