Mother nature has already given us a glimpse of what winter is all about here in Central Indiana. When the snow and ice fully make their presence known, it will be important to know how to manage it in a way that keeps you and your landscape safe. We have some tips on how to not destroy your landscape during the snow removal season.
Spreading Salt Smartly
Salt is an effective way to keep ice from building up on your driveway and sidewalks and making your home much safer in the winter. However, not all salt is created equal when it comes to your landscape. Read the label carefully before you purchase, making sure what you have chosen is meant to go on concrete or pavers. Some salts will destroy your driveway, walkway and landscaping, making spring a time of grief instead of celebration. There are also different salts for different temperatures. If we are going to have a winter like early 2018, you will want a type that will thaw into negative temperatures.
Don’t get creative while spreading your salt, dancing merrily as you throw it to the wind. You will want to place it just where you need it, and your plants really have no need for it. Salt can burn leaves or needles, especially on evergreens, which once they are fried, do not recover. Most plants can tolerate a bit of sodium, so don’t worry if you get a bit on your landscaping. Just make sure not to dump piles of it in other areas besides your foot and car pathways.
Moving Snow Safely
If you are having someone plow your driveway for you, make sure they understand the landscaping that sits around your driveway. You do not want them to run over it, piles now on top of it, or just scrape it up along the way. Accidents will happen, but it is better to err on the side of caution and best information.
Your lawn is another potential victim of aggressive plowing. Placing those ugly but highly visible orange stakes along your driveway (and the road if you do not have a curb) will help protect your grass. They may not look great during the winter but your lawn will shine once the snow has disappeared. These tips also apply to snow blowing your driveway yourself!
It seems that shoveling snow is something people either enjoy or abhor. The quiet of a fresh snowfall can be relaxing to the psyche, but the cold, wind and necessary heft can be a strong deterrent to completing the task. If you are one of those intrepid souls, while you are enjoying your shoveling keep your landscape in mind. Snow is already piled on the shrubbery near your home, so you do not want to add more to it. Not only may it cause breakage or smothering, but the melt/freeze cycle of winter can also allow water to pool near your foundation. Too much water can lead to overworked sump pumps or hairline fractures that allow water to seep in and freeze, causing foundation issues. Throw your snow in your yard, not near your home (or your neighbor’s).
Regardless of the amount of snow we see here in Central Indiana, we hope you and your family have a warm and enjoyable winter!
