By Jennifer Bass, Extension Master Naturalist and Master Gardener serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, Tazewell counties
It will not be long until we are in the holiday season and then welcoming a new year. With winter we experience a new set of weather patterns from rain, to sleet, ice, and snow. Rain is manageable, snow can be shoveled, but sleet and ice are probably the most difficult of winter weather to cope with. Often our remedy is to broadcast salt or an ice melt which has advantages because it does make walking and driving much safer and easier. However, long term, continual use of these products have an adverse effect on our driveways, gardens and environment.
Salt and ice melt wear down cement, get into cracks, and cause them to expand, and can also cause corrosion on vehicles. The runoff of these products gets into the yards and gardens and can stress or make plants more vulnerable to disease or kill the plants and destroy the soil. What does not drain into the yard runs into the roads, streams, and rivers – it takes one teaspoon of salt to contaminate five gallons of water.
Sand is one safe alternative. Some mix sand with salt; the sand helps with traction and the salt with melting. Sand can be tracked into the house and vehicles which then needs to be cleaned and after the ice melts one needs to clean it from the walks and driveways. Any sand that may wash off of walks and drives puts sediment into the water system of a city.
A product which is biodegradable, has low toxicity, and is recommended for those concerned about effects on yards and concrete is calcium magnesium acetate. However, it is expensive. There are some treated salt products which contain the calcium magnesium acetate. This can work at a lower temperature and is colored so one can see where it has been spread.
Another suggestion for traction but not melting is to use birdseed on your walks. This not only helps one walk safely but it helps attract and feed birds and gives the homeowner enjoyment watching the birds.
If you do choose to use salt as a deicer, a coffee mug full of salt will treat a twenty foot driveway or about ten squares of sidewalk. If there is salt on the surface after the ice has melted, you have used too much.
During winter, plan ahead, listen to the forecast for when a storm is approaching. Always keep enough food in your pantry, freezer or refrigerator for at least a week or more. Have cleats that can attach to boots and shoes for if you have to go out (these are affordable and can be bought at a sporting good store or Amazon). Do not leave home if there is a sleet or ice storm in progress. Doctors would rather have a person cancel an appointment than be a patient in the hospital. Enjoy the beauty of winter safely from your easy chair.