10 Reasons Your Car Should Never Be Parked Near Your Garden

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Parking your car near your garden might seem innocuous, like your dog playing in the backyard. But before you succumb to that seductive convenience, it’s worth thinking about the possible pitfalls of this. Obviously, that patch of greenery you’ve lovingly tended could turn into a battleground with your vehicle, and you don’t want to be the unlucky one to clean up the mess.

Suppose somewhere out there is a sunny afternoon, everywhere full of flower and there’s a car that has been parked too close for comfort. What could possibly go wrong? As it turns out, a whole lot. Parking too close to your garden is letting trouble into your outdoor haven, it’s like inviting trouble. Here are ten reasons to keep your car at a respectful distance from your green oasis.

Protecting Your Plants

Your garden is not a random association of plants; it’s a refuge. Cars are large and those tires will squish delicate seedlings and delicate blooms quicker than you can say “green thumb”. It’s important to give your plants some space to grow and to give you some space of peace. It is a heartbreak to imagine walking out one morning and noticing your prized roses squished flat.

Avoiding Chemical Contamination

Cars can be like ticking time bombs of chemicals. Parking your vehicle too close to your garden exposes plants to oil leaks and antifreeze spills. They can seep into the soil and ruin your beautiful flowers and veggies. That’s like crashing a party, nobody wants that party crasher in their garden soirée.

Limiting Soil Compaction

Have you ever walked on a sponge? That’s what your soil feels like after it’s been compacted. Parking near your garden can crush the soil and interfere with its natural aeration. According to a study by the University of Minnesota Extension, when soil gets compacted, roots can’t grow to absorb water from it. Don’t bring your car near and let your garden breathe.

To Prevent Any Damage to Your Vehicle

Your car is at risk besides the plants. Nature’s wrath can transform your vehicle into something you wouldn’t recognize. Overhanging branches and pesky birds can knock off your shiny car paint. If you have ever pulled your car up to a tree to take down a nest only to find it covered in bird droppings, or splattered with sticky sap, you know what I mean. You don’t need this kind of surprise after a long day. The farther you keep your car from your garden, the cleaner and better will be.

Minimizing Fire Risks

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Playing with fire (well, literally) can be as dangerous as parking your car next to an entire gardenful of dry leaves and flowers. Accidental spark from your vehicle could light a small disaster. Simply, keeping your car away from flammable products, reduces the risk of a nasty situation. Safety first, folks!

Enhancing Aesthetic Appeal

Well, there’s something about a car parked too close to a garden that just doesn’t look right. Your outdoor space will feel cluttered and chaotic like a kid’s room, after a playdate. You create a more inviting atmosphere by putting a little bit of distance between your vehicle and your garden. Put it down as giving your plants a chance to catch their breath, and shine.

Improving Accessibility

Parking near the garden itself might be easier to stuff fresh veggies or flowers into your trunk but it could also complicate access. If you park too close, you run the risk of trampling over plants or fighting to find your way around the vehicle. A nice distance means that you can walk your way through the garden rather than ending up as part of the obstacle course.

Reducing Pest Attraction

Pest Control — Image Credit: PublicDomainPictures/ Pixabay

Pests are sneaky little devils – and they like to hang around cars. If you park beside your garden, for instance, you are perhaps rolling out the red carpet for unwanted guests — ants, mice and even raccoons. While they are cute, these critters will wreak havoc in your garden, chewing on your plants and moving all of the roots. Therefore, let your car be kept away from your garden.

Reducing Maintenance

The more you park near your garden, the more maintenance you’re going to have to do. You’ll be stuck in an endless cycle of cleanup between dirt on your car or those plants getting the short end of the stick. By taking your vehicle out of the close proximity of your garden, you can get back your time and energy.

Creating a Natural Barrier

A little distance is a natural buffer. A protective zone can be created between your car and garden. For people who have a fence or hedges, it’s great to keep the wildlife away but still provide great views. It’s like drawing a cozy boundary that separates your green space from your car.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.