Winter Salt Damage

Sidewalk salt has a way of killing almost everything it touches. With the extra snow and ice this year you may be using more than usual. The salt usually ends up in either your turf or garden beds next to the walkway. Either it washes there, or you when you shovel next....you throw it there. Here are a few other options.

Use salt instead of sand if possible.

There are some plants that are salt tolerant and work great as edging plants along sidewalks or driveway areas: most all types of daylilies, some hostas, some roses, some heucheras and some ornamental grasses. (may need to check individual varieties.) Earthworks Gardens has about 200 varieities of Daylilies to choose from. Tired of replanting that turf every year? Try daylilies! If plants won't work, try using a rock or bark edging where the salt is usually a problem.