Protecting Your Landscape from Winter Salt Damage: De-Icer Alternatives and Tips

Know Your De-Icers

Several de-icers exist, but they're not equal nor perfect. Before using a de-icer, determine if coarse sand or another abrasive (sawdust) provides enough traction for sidewalks and driveways. These are less harsh than chloride-based de-icers.

Salts (chlorides) are common ice-melters but harm plants. Check labels for effectiveness at varying temperatures—some work better at lower temps.

Sodium chloride (rock salt) is common, inexpensive, but harmful to plants, vehicles, concrete. Calcium chloride melts ice, less harmful to plants than rock salt, but corrosive to concrete/metal and can irritate skin. Magnesium chloride can be a good option at 1–2 lbs per 100 sq ft. Potassium chloride (muriate of potash, used in fertilizer)—follow directions to minimize plant harm. Calcium magnesium acetate is most expensive but low toxicity when used correctly. Avoid fertilizers as de-icers.

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How to Minimize Damage from De-Icers

Best bet: combine less than 5% de-icer with skid-proofing substances (sawdust, sand, kitty litter, small gravel, straw). Example: 1 lb de-icing salt mixed with 50 lbs sand effective on walks/driveways without adding too much salt. Salt melts ice; other material keeps surface safe after salt dissolves. Stick to recommended amounts to minimize harm to plants, concrete, surfaces. Salt on shoes damages indoor carpet/tile.

For salt spray from passing cars: provide a barrier (burlap wrap, snow fencing) or select salt-tolerant plants. Plants with hidden/submerged buds, thick surface wax, numerous tightly arranged bud scales, fuzzy buds, or sticky resin-coated buds better prevent salt spray penetration.

Another strategy: avoid shoveling or piling treated snow onto landscape. When weather warms, thaw and rain reduce soil salt accumulation. If early spring is dry, rinse plants to eliminate residual salt and irrigate to flush salts from soil.

Learn how to keep the rest of your garden safe this winter.

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