Is Salt or Ice Melt Harmful to Your Gardens?

We all want to stay safe in the winter, right?

When it comes to walking to our car or preventing the mailman from slipping and falling during cold temperatures, we do whatever it takes to clear the snow. But what about our grass and gardens? How do they react to the chemicals we use to treat our walkways?

And there’s a dilemma for those who love the warmer months - how do we ensure that by Spring all dormant plants aren’t completely obliterated by the chemicals we use to keep people safe on our sidewalks, driveways, and other paths around our yard?

Sodium Chloride is the most common way to melt the pesky snow and nasty ice. The problem is plants and grass need sodium but only in very tiny amounts. When large doses of salt are added to the soil, it overtakes the organic nutrients like potassium and calcium. Salt also depletes the soil of any moisture that the fall months retained for hibernation and health for those plants.

Salt also makes the soil more compact which reduces drainage in the Spring and gives the soil a “soupy” feel when the rain comes.?

When using Ice Melt, if you look closely at the packaging before buying it, you’ll also see ingredients such as Magnesium Chloride and possibly Potassium Chloride. Even though sodium chloride is the worst for your landscaping, the chlorine in Ice Melt is also a greenery favorite. In fact, it’s just as bad.?

So what can be done, and still keep your family and neighbors safe on your paths?

You need to know that Ice Melt has no effect on fluffy snow, it’s best used on actual ice. You’re wasting your time throwing it on inches of snow, so it’s best to get out a shovel and do the hard work necessary. When you use Ice Melt, use it sparingly, or try pouring hot water on compacted areas instead first, then throw on some Ice Melt to ensure the ice keeps melting long after the water freezes. Also, consider throwing a little bit of ice melt on areas BEFORE it snows! Manage your walkways much like roadways…use Salt or Ice Melt in preventative ways will allow you to use less, and therefore help to save your precious time trying to make your plants come back in the Spring!

Hope this helps. Reach out to me anytime for more advice.

Alroy Brouwer, Broker

Realty Executives?on The Bay Inc., Brokerage

Cell?705-220-8758????Email?[email protected]