How Winter Salt Impacts Your Lawn—and What You Can Do About It

Do you use rock salt to melt ice around your house?

Did you know that excess salt can cause long-term lawn damage?

When winter hits Michigan, safety becomes priority number one. Ice on sidewalks, steps, and driveways can make even a quick trip outside risky. That’s why most homeowners turn to rock salt and other de-icers to keep surfaces clear and safe.

But while salt helps prevent slips and falls, it can be rough on your lawn. In this article, we’ll explain how salt damages your lawn, AND what you can do to minimize the damage.

Why Salt Can Be a Problem

Did you know that beneath the city of Detroit lies one of the largest salt mines in the world—spanning over 1,500 acres? With rock salt readily available, it’s no surprise that Michigan residents use it so often during the winter months.

The downside is that rock salt can harm grass and soil. When the snow melts, salty runoff seeps into your yard, drawing moisture out of the soil and causing patches of brown, damaged turf by spring. Over time, repeated exposure can make it harder for your lawn to bounce back to green once the weather warms up.

Protecting Your Lawn from Salt Damage

Fortunately, there are a few simple ways to keep your grass healthy all winter long:

• Apply salt carefully. Limit its use to paved areas only—sidewalks, driveways, and steps—and avoid spreading it near grassy edges.
• Create a barrier. Install a short silt fence or temporary edging along your lawn to keep salty runoff from soaking into the soil.
• Try alternatives. Materials like sand, kitty litter, or calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) can improve traction without harming your grass.
• Schedule early spring lawn care. A professional fertilization and recovery plan can help restore soil balance and encourage new growth after a long, salty winter.

Don’t Wait for Spring to Look Through Lawn Care Companies in Livingston County

If you’re looking for trusted lawn care companies in Livingston County, Ever So Green stands out for our professional, dependable service. Our comprehensive fertilization program keeps your lawn lush, healthy, and resilient year-round with:

• Spring Fertilization and Crabgrass Control
• Broadleaf Weed Control Applications
• Summer Fertilization with Spot Weed Treatment
• Mid-Summer and Late-Season Fertilization
• Fall Fertilization and Turf Winterization

Contact Ever So Green online or call (517) 540-1100 to plan your spring lawn care program!