Lawn-Friendly Salt Alternatives to Try This Winter

When winter weather hits, you likely pay less attention to your lawn than any other time of the year. But, just because your grass is no longer visible, doesn’t mean it should be out of sight, out of mind. Products used throughout the winter to keep outdoor surfaces clear and safe can damage your lawn and cost you come springtime.
Rock salt is a popular choice to keep driveways safe by helping melt ice buildup and provide traction. The most common rock salts are composed of Sodium Chloride which can wreak havoc on your lawn and garden if used improperly. High levels of this compound can result in severe damage to your grass, which can only be seen come Spring when the rest of your lawn has greened up. If you want to reduce the chances of harm to your grass, here are a few lawn friendly alternatives you can rely on to protect yourself and also your green spaces this winter:
- Alfalfa meal: This option may be a bit messy, but it’s grainy texture helps to provide traction and won’t damage your surfaces, just make sure to use it in moderation. It’s also 100% natural so you don’t have to worry about it coming in contact with your grass and plants. Check out your local gardening supply store if you’re on the hunt for this product.
- Sand: A popular alternative to help with traction on icy areas. Sand won’t do much to help melt the snow, but it’s inexpensive and easy to get your hands on.
- Heating mats: An expensive choice, but it may be worth the investment if you’re tired of winter clean-up all together. Heated mats will help melt snow and ice and keep your steps clear so you don’t have to use any additional products. If you don’t relish the thought of shoveling snow and ice this winter, heating mats may be the way to go.
If your lawn does suffer from salt damage this winter, all is not lost! All Manderley seed mixes contain fast germinating cultivars to get your lawn back to looking ship shape in no time!
Let us know which salt alternatives you use to keep your lawn from suffering winter damage. Share your stories with us on social media and tell us which products work well for your property!