Extension

One thing is certain about Oklahoma weather – it’s unpredictable. The winter season can give residents bright, sunny days featuring 60-degree temperatures, or it can drop several inches of snow. The weather can also coat everything in a thick layer of ice. No matter what the conditions are, it’s always good to be prepared.

 

Icy roads and slick sidewalks can be treacherous for Oklahomans, making traveling difficult for motorists and pedestrians. Homeowners and business owners often rely on deicing compounds to help reduce the slipping hazard. While this is beneficial to people, some of these materials can cause unintended damage to property and plants. 

 

Several types of deicing products are available, each with advantages and drawbacks:

• Sodium chloride (NaCl) – Commonly known as table or rock salt, sodium chloride is the least expensive and most widely used deicer. It is most effective at temperatures above 15° F. However, it is highly corrosive, damaging to metal surfaces and harmful to landscape plants. Excess sodium in the soil can also disrupt soil structure.
• Calcium chloride (CaCl₂) – This compound dissolves quickly and performs well in frigid temperatures, down to -20° F. While slightly less harmful to plants than sodium chloride, calcium chloride is highly corrosive to concrete and metals.
• Potassium chloride (KCl) – Commonly used as a fertilizer, potassium chloride is less damaging to plants than sodium chloride but is still highly corrosive when used as a deicer.
• Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) – Considered one of the most environmentally friendly options, CMA is biodegradable, less harmful to plants and non-corrosive to concrete. It remains effective down to about 15° F. Its major drawback is cost, which is 30 to 40 times higher than that of traditional salts.

 

How do these deicing materials work? They form a brine solution that lowers the freezing point of ice. Damage occurs when the salty solution is splashed onto plant foliage or drains into the soil. Over time, salt accumulation around plant roots can cause injury. Even when sufficient moisture is present, salt-damaged roots are unable to take up enough water. This results in a salt-induced drought.

 

To help minimize landscape damage this winter, employ the following strategies:

• Mechanical removal: Shoveling or scraping snow and ice reduces the need for chemical deicers.
• Use abrasive materials: Sand and other abrasives don’t melt ice, but they help improve traction with minimal environmental impact.
• Plan ahead:
  • Choose salt-tolerant plants for areas prone to salt exposure.
  • Keep salt-sensitive plants away from surfaces that tend to freeze, including sidewalks, driveways and roads.
  • Install barriers or drainage solutions to divert salty runoff.
  • Avoid spilling salty snow onto planting areas.
  • Irrigate thoroughly in the spring to help leach salts from the root zone.