A Saltwater Solution Mix for a Sprayer to Melt Ice in a Garden

Don't spray chemical solutions directly on flowers and other plants.

When the weather turns cold, snow and ice are never far behind. As driveways and sidewalks begin to freeze, many homeowners turn to rock salt to help melt the ice. Rock salt, which is largely made up of sodium chloride, is chemically similar to regular table salt. It’s widely available and inexpensive, but it’s a highly corrosive substance that can be damaging to plants. Instead of using rock salt to melt ice in your garden, mix a solution of water and calcium chloride or magnesium chloride. Both of these chemicals are salts that are highly effective at melting ice but are less harmful to vegetation than sodium chloride. They also work better when it’s very cold outside because they lower the freezing point of water to as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit, while regular salt lowers it only to around 15 degrees. Pure water freezes at 32 degrees. Use the solution only on garden paths and walkways. Don't spray chemical ice melters directly on plants.

Things You'll Need

• Calcium chloride or magnesium chloride
• Bucket
• Pressurized garden sprayer
• Snow shovel

Instructions

1. Combine roughly 2 parts warm water and 1 part calcium chloride or magnesium chloride in a bucket. Mix the solution thoroughly until the chemicals are completely dissolved.

2. Fill a pressurized garden sprayer with the saltwater solution.

3. Spray garden paths and walkways with the garden sprayer as soon as snow begins to fall. If a weather forecast gives you a good idea when a snowstorm is likely to begin, spray the salt solution one to two hours beforehand.

4. Remove any accumulation of snow with a shovel. Don’t spray ice melters directly on fallen snow.

5. Spray another light coat of the ice-melting solution over any icy patches that develop after you shovel the snow.

Tips & Warnings

• You can buy calcium chloride and magnesium chloride in home and garden supply stores. They’re available in pellets, liquid and crystals.

• Don’t overspray. Many people overdo it with chemical ice melters, as well as with lawn and garden chemicals.

• Calcium chloride is the most effective deicer at very cold temperatures, but nothing will really work when the thermometer dips below 5 degrees.

References

• Gardens Alive!: How to Protect Your Plants When You Melt Sidewalk Ice
• Chicago Tribune: Products That Melt Ice Can Harm Plants
• Chicago Tribune: De-icing Walks and Drives
• Chicago Tribune: Choosing the Right De-icer for Wintry Days