How can excessive rainfall affect garden plants?

Excessive rainfall can lead to root rot and nutrient leaching due to the saturation of soil that prevents oxygen from reaching the roots of the plants. When the soil remains overly wet for extended periods, the roots may begin to decay, which ultimately hampers the plant's ability to absorb water and nutrients effectively. This can result in stunted growth or even plant death. Additionally, heavy rainfall can wash away valuable nutrients from the soil, leading to deficiencies that further hurt plant health.

While some options suggest potential benefits or neutral effects of excessive rainfall, they do not accurately reflect the challenges that high moisture levels present to garden plants. For instance, promoting healthier growth or being a universal benefit fails to consider the detrimental impacts of overly saturated soil. Similarly, the idea that it helps with soil compaction overlooks the fact that excessive moisture can actually lead to anaerobic conditions that are harmful to root systems.