• thadmin

While snowfall creates a beautiful winter landscape, the aftermath — melting ice and snow — can silently wreak havoc on your lawn and garden. One of the biggest culprits? Ice melt products and rock salt.

When snow and ice melt, these de-icing materials seep into the soil, replacing essential nutrients like potassium and phosphorus with sodium ions, which are harmful to plants. Over time, this leads to dehydrated roots, scorched grass, and stressed or dying plants.

But don’t worry — a few simple steps can help protect your landscape from winter damage.

Tips to Keep Your Sidewalks Safe and Your Plants Protected

1. Avoid Over-Salting
   Apply ice melt exactly as directed on the label — more isn’t better. Overuse increases soil toxicity and plant damage.
2. Use the Right Products
   Rock salt is common but harsh. For safer results, especially in extreme cold, consider salt-free alternatives like:
   • Calcium Chloride
   • Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA)
     These are less damaging to vegetation and work well in sub-freezing temps.
3. Pre-Treat Surfaces in Extreme Cold
   In very low temperatures, lightly mist water over sidewalks before applying ice melt to boost effectiveness and reduce the amount needed.
4. Erect Protective Barriers
   Use burlap, plastic fencing, or snow fencing to shield vulnerable plants from salt spray and buildup along roads or walkways.
5. Brush Salt Off Plants
   If plants or shrubs get sprayed with salt, use a soft broom to gently remove it. Salt damage may not show until spring, so early prevention is key.
6. Shovel First, Salt Second
   Remove snow and ice as early and often as possible to minimize the need for chemical treatments. Keeping surfaces clear reduces reliance on ice melt products.

Want a Stress-Free Winter?

Keeping your lawn and garden safe during winter can be time-consuming — but we’re here to help.

At Honey Do LLC, we specialize in year-round property care, including safe snow and ice removal that protects your lawn, walkways, and plants. Whether it’s clearing snow, managing runoff, or using the right materials, we do the work so you can stay warm and worry-free.

Call us at +1 419-720-0133 to schedule service.
We’re proud to be the most trusted property management company in the region.