What is a Gutter Garden?

Do you have an apartment or small yard? Are you wanting to liven up the look of your yard with something a little different? You are most likely familiar with rain gutters as something attached to your home to divert water away from the vital parts of your house. But did you know that gutters can also make amazing garden aids?

 

 

Gutter gardens make it possible to grow the garden of your dreams, especially when you are short on yard space. Or, in many cases, when you have a dog that likes to dig! These are inexpensive, vertical gardens that allow you to grow all kinds of plants, flowers, and vegetables from a higher space than the ground. They are perfect for small patios and balconies. With just a few recycled gutters, you can turn any sunny space into a great garden!

Rain gutters are easy to find and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, materials, and color. To prepare your gutter for a small garden, follow these steps:

• Determine the desired length. Gutters come in 20-foot sections most of the time; however, this is often too long for practical gardening. Plastic gutters are easy to cut with a hacksaw while metal gutters are able to be cut with tin snips.
• You will then need to cap the end of the gutters so that the soil doesn’t spill out. You can get end caps at any home improvement center. They snap into place, but you can also place a thin blob of silicone glue in the groove.
• Drain holes need to be made in the bottom of the gutter.

You can treat your gutter garden just like a flower bed. Soilless potting mixed works well for this planter. If you are worried about soil leaking through the drain holes, place a thin strip of weed fabric along the bottom of the gutter before adding the soil.

You can mount these just about anywhere! Enjoy your newest garden addition!

Did you know gutters could be great garden aids?  Contact the experts today from Gutter Professionals, Inc. for more information about gutter installation on your home.

 

POSTED ON April 29, 2017 // 0 COMMENTS