Ice melt are de-icing products that are normally used to melt ice and snow in sidewalks and driveways. It’s very effective in what it does, but then the large amount of salt ingredients will make you wonder, ‘does ice melt kill grass?’
Can You Use Rock Salt on Grass?
Ice melt products go by many names, including Rock Salt, Ice Melt, Road Salt and Ice Melter. These brands will usually combine several common deicing ingredients such as sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, and potassium chloride.
The application is fairly simple- just sprinkle some ice melt and the winter ice or snow will turn to mush.
To answer the question, ice melt does kill grass, albeit not instantly. Excessive salt, especially rock salt, will kill plants by making the soil inhabitable. High levels of sodium tend to dehydrate grass and make them weak, wilt and die if left alone.
Soil that has extremely high saline content tends to destroy vegetation and make it difficult, if not impossible, for new plants to grow.
However, there are some ice melts that are gentler on grass and plants. These are the ones that contain magnesium chloride and calcium chloride, and both have been proven to be safe for grass and even pets.
If you don’t want unsightly patches or strips of dead grass on your lawn when spring comes around, then it’s recommended that you opt for these grass-friendly ice melt products instead of the usual deicers.
Can Ice Melt Be Used on Grass?
The best way to de-ice your grass or lawn after a hard frost or snowstorm is to use lawn-friendly ice melt products, such as calcium chloride or magnesium chloride. You can also use regular ice melts in a pinch but you will have to be more careful and take an extra step to ensure it won’t burn your grass.
Here are important tips to follow so you won’t harm your grass.
Read the Label and Follow Instructions
If you’re looking for a deicer that specifically won’t harm plants and grass, then you should buy the ones that have calcium chloride or magnesium chloride as its main ingredient. Also, make sure to read the instructions on the packaging so you’ll know how much salt you can spread around an area.
The usual manufacturer recommendation is about four pounds of ice melt spread in a 200 square feet area.
Apply Evenly
The next thing you’ll want to do is to apply the deicer evenly and at a nice spread. Too much salt in one part of the lawn or yard may equal brown patches or strips where the chemicals have made contact, so you should be mindful of the amount you’re spreading.
Also, instead of using a shovel, you can use a fertilizer spreader to ensure you’re melting the ice at an even spread. Add some granules, then slowly walk around while operating the device.
Flush with Water
Most of the time, the accumulation of salt will wash off when spring arrives and melts all the ice to create a runoff. Plus, rising temperatures and more sun will usually mean the grass grows at a faster rate.
Should you want to make sure, it’s best to flush out the toxins with water coming from a hose. Start with grass that seems stressed and those that are starting to turn brown and wilt.
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