Protecting Plants Against Salt During Snow Season: How Granular Gypsum Can Help

Winter is an especially challenging time for landscaping in the Mid-Atlantic region, where commercial properties in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia face the double challenge of keeping pathways clear of ice while finding ways to protect plants from salt damage. When used to de-ice parking lots, sidewalks, and entryways, salt can have negative effects on the plants surrounding your property. Salt spray and runoff can dehydrate plant roots, harm soil health, and diminish the overall appearance and vitality of landscaping. With proactive measures, including the use of granular gypsum, managers can protect their plants and keep their landscape investment safe.

In this post, we’ll explore how salt damage impacts landscaping, how granular gypsum works as a remedy, and the best practices for incorporating this solution into your winter property management plan to protect plants from salt damage.

How Salt Damages Landscaping

The de-icing salts commonly used in winter maintenance are typically composed of sodium chloride (rock salt) or calcium chloride. While effective at lowering the freezing point of water and making surfaces safer, these chemicals can wreak havoc on plant health. Salt spreads beyond pavement as it dissolves in snowmelt, seeping into the soil and reaching the roots of nearby plants. Here’s how salt impacts landscaping:

1. Soil Compaction and Dehydration: Salt reduces the soil’s ability to retain moisture, which can lead to root dehydration. The roots of your plants may start to dry out, as sodium ions in salt cause soil particles to compact, making it harder for roots to absorb water.
2. Disrupted Nutrient Balance: Salt increases the salinity of the soil, which interferes with a plant’s nutrient uptake. Essential nutrients like potassium, calcium, and magnesium become harder for plants to absorb, leading to deficiencies and weakened growth.
3. Leaf and Stem Burns: Salt spray from roads and walkways can settle directly on plant leaves, causing visible “burns” on foliage and creating entry points for diseases.
4. pH Imbalance: Salt deposits can alter the soil’s pH, making it more alkaline. Since many landscape plants prefer a slightly acidic or neutral pH, the increased alkalinity can stress plants further. This makes them more susceptible to winter injury and disease.

The combination of these effects can lead to visibly damaged plants in spring, with leaf browning, stunted growth, and even plant death. For property managers, these issues are costly and frustrating, as landscape damage impacts the appearance and appeal of the property.

Why Use Granular Gypsum? The Science Behind the Solution

Granular gypsum, a naturally occurring mineral, offers a practical and effective solution to mitigate salt damage. Consisting mainly of calcium sulfate, gypsum works to counteract the effects of sodium chloride in the soil and helps your landscape recover more quickly. Here’s how it works:

1. Calcium Replacement: The calcium in gypsum helps displace sodium in the soil, allowing it to be leached away more effectively. This process is vital for property managers looking to protect plants from salt damage and restore soil structure for better root health.
2. Improved Soil Structure: Gypsum breaks up compacted soil, encouraging better drainage. This helps excess salt to wash away during rain or snowmelt, restoring the natural balance of soil minerals and preventing the salt from drying out plant roots.
3. Balanced pH: Unlike other soil additives, gypsum does not alter the pH of your soil. This means that the addition of gypsum will not interfere with plants that are sensitive to pH changes, making it a safer choice to protect plants from salt damage in high-traffic commercial areas.

How to Apply Granular Gypsum During Snow Season

Integrating gypsum into your winter maintenance routine is a straightforward process. Here are a few guidelines to ensure effective application and maximize the benefits for your property’s landscape.

1. Timing and Frequency: Apply gypsum in the late fall or early winter, before the first major snowfall, to preemptively protect the soil. If your property experiences heavy snowfall or significant use of de-icing salts, consider a second application in early spring to address any residual salt buildup.
2. Application Rate: For most commercial properties, a light dusting around 20-30 pounds of gypsum per 1,000 square feet is sufficient. However, areas closer to walkways or parking lots may require a heavier application to counteract the increased concentration of salt.
3. Focus on Vulnerable Areas: Apply gypsum around salt-sensitive plants, in planting beds adjacent to paved areas, and anywhere else that may experience salt runoff. Shrubs, ground cover, and turfgrass along parking lots and sidewalks are especially susceptible to salt damage and will benefit from targeted treatment.
4. Watering In: After applying gypsum, a light watering will help it penetrate the soil and reach the root zone more effectively. This is especially helpful during a dry winter when natural precipitation is limited. If possible, aim to water the treated areas before a freeze or after the salt application to ensure best results.
5. Integrating Gypsum into Your Snow Management Plan: Coordinate with your snow removal team to communicate which areas are most vulnerable to salt damage. Our Account Managers can help create a custom plan that includes both snow and salt management strategies along with seasonal applications of gypsum.

Other Tips to Protect Plants from Salt Damage

In addition to using granular gypsum, there are other strategies property managers can incorporate to minimize winter salt damage:

• Use Salt Alternatives: When feasible, consider switching to calcium magnesium acetate or potassium chloride, which are less damaging to plants than traditional rock salt.
• Add Protective Barriers: Placing burlap screens or physical barriers between walkways and planting beds can help protect sensitive shrubs and ground cover from salt spray.
• Limit Direct Contact: Avoid piling snow that has been treated with salt directly onto planting beds. Designate specific snow pile zones that are away from landscaping to prevent salt runoff.

Partner with Complete Landscaping Service to Protect Plants from Salt Damage

While winter landscape protection might seem complex, the right preparations can make all the difference. By incorporating gypsum into your winter strategy, you can help protect your plants from salt damage and ensure a vibrant, healthy landscape come spring. Complete Landscaping Service specializes in developing custom winter maintenance plans for commercial properties throughout Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Our team of experts can advise you on the best practices for salt management, including gypsum application and snow removal techniques that protect your landscape investment.

Winter doesn’t have to mean sacrificing the health of your landscape. Contact us today to learn more about our winter protection services, and let’s work together to keep your property beautiful year-round.