Protect Plantings From Road Salt

By Phran Novelli

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Well, that looks lousy! As we head into snow season, you can still see plenty of ratty roadside plantings that got smacked by salt last winter.

Road salt hurts plants two ways: salt spray turns leaves and needles brown; while salt that soaks into the soil can kill plants by interrupting how they absorb water and nutrients, drying them out.

Some plants, particularly younger or more salt-sensitive plants, die very quickly, others will decline over time, becoming more susceptible to pests and disease along the way.

What can you do?

First, use as little salt as possible and watch where you blow or shovel any snow that has salt in it.

You can also choose plants that are more salt-tolerent.

Here are some links to good information about salt damage, along with salt-tolerant plant lists.

And, to enjoy pretty plants in spots where you know you'll sometimes need to use salt for safety - next to a mailbox, driveway or sidewalk - consider putting a large pot in those places, instead of planting in the ground. That way, you can cover the pots or cart them away for winter protection, then put them back on display for the other three seasons of the year.