Introduction
Most people in the United States and other parts of the world that experience harsh winters dread the season. The winter season is accompanied by never-ending snow and freezing temperatures. It is easy to get through the severe cold temperatures through the use of a home heater. However, clearing the snow on the pavements, on roads and lawns is a daunting process on its own. Sometimes, the snow-fills will require that you use sodium chloride that helps in melting the snow on your pavements. The government also takes it upon themselves to use sodium chloride and other products such as urea to assist in melting down the snow o rocks. What most people fail to realize is that most of these chemicals used in melting the snow can cause damage to their beautifully mowed lawns. Therefore, it is wise that you find other methods that are less-deteriorating to your beautiful yard.
Tips on how to reduce damage on lawns during winter
- a) Consider using a shovel
Although using a spade does not entirely get rid of that snow on your pavements, it poses no destruction to your lawn. However, you can add a little bit of sodium chloride and urea to make the shoveling less challenging. An ice chipper can also be used. The goal of using the shovel is to get as much ice off your pavement. Thus, reduce the use of harsh chemical products that might find their way on your lawn.
- b) Aim to use less harsh chemicals to melt the snow
Even though you decide to use chemical products to melt the snow on your pavements and roads, it is necessary to adopt the use of less-corrosive products. One friendly synthetic product is calcium magnesium acetate, which poses less damage to your lawn. The only downside to using the product is that it costs a bit more than the regular rock salt or sodium chloride. Other products that do not pose much risk include calcium chloride and magnesium chloride. Also, urea helps in the melting down of the ice, but some countries restrict its use during winter because it has the potential of polluting the water supply. Whatever ice-melting technique you decide to use, you must carefully read through the label.
- c) Use the ice melting chemical products sparingly
If the use of chemical products to melt the ice on your pavement is the only to getting rid of the snow on sidewalks, you need to consider using only a small amount. The more chemical products you use, the more these products will find themselves in your lawn.
- d) Seek necessary advice from your lawn doctor expert
Your lawn doctor will most likely have the safest solution for you. Therefore, call them or visit their offices before or during winter, and they will help you decipher the right method to get the snow off your beautiful lawn. In addition to this, they will advise you on how you can work on getting your garden back in shape after it is damaged.
- e) Use of traditional ice-melting methods
Maybe it is time you went way back and took into consideration the use of conventional techniques such as the use of sawdust on snow-filled pavements. These methods will not cause the melting of ice but will ultimately reduce slippery sidewalks. The use of sawdust will also curb the need to use harsh chemical products that might destroy your lawn.
Conclusion
During the next harsh winter season, kindly consider using the method as mentioned above, and find out which works best for you. Try and save your lawn from destruction this winter, by avoiding the use of harsh de-icing products.
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