Shorter days, colder temperatures, snow, ice and sleet….winter is coming!!

Before we know it we will be in the dead of winter. Have you ever been told that the salt that is used to keep you from slip-sliding down your sidewalk and driveway can be harmful for your lawn? It’s true; the salt that keeps our roads and walkways safe can wreak havoc on our lawns.

Have you ever noticed strips of brown grass along your sidewalks and driveway come spring? If you have, then you my friend, have salt damage to your lawn. The salt that keeps our sidewalks and driveways safe has dried out your grass roots and killed the grass. Most of the time the salt-damaged grass will recover as the snow and ice starts to melt. But if not detected and treated, or prevented, it can leave you with having to repair the dead grass.

Taking a few simple steps this winter can help save your lawn from salt damage:

 

  • Landscaping fabric - Buy some landscaping fabric from your local nursery to lay down before using salt. The fabric will create a barrier so that the salt never comes into contact with your grass or soil. You can also line the edge of your walkways and driveway with burlap sacks.
  • Pay attention to how much salt you are using - The average person tends to use way more salt than what is needed. A little bit goes a long way.
  • Salt alternatives - I have heard of some homeowners using different alternatives to salt because of the risk of damage. Here are a few deicing alternatives I’ve heard of in the past few years: sand, cat litter, vinegar, sugar beet juice, alfalfa meal, coffee grinds, and calcium chloride.
  • Decorative borders - Who would have thought that a border would give your lawn curb appeal AND help protect from salt damage?!

 

Hopefully these few tips will help you save your yard this winter from salt damage. Because no one wants to look at dry, dead grass come springtime.