Extension Notebook: Winter walkways: protecting people and the landscape

When winter arrives, walkways quickly become a source of concern for homeowners, businesses, and municipalities alike. Snow, sleet and ice create slippery surfaces that can lead to falls and injuries, making snow removal a necessity rather than a luxury. Yet the way we approach clearing these surfaces has a direct impact on the surrounding environment. Thoughtful winter maintenance can keep people safe while also preserving the health of nearby plants, soil, and waterways.

Before tackling snow and ice, it’s important to consider how common removal practices affect the landscape. Salt, particularly sodium chloride, is the most widely used deicer, but it can cause significant harm when it migrates into the soil or splashes onto foliage.

Plants have varying levels of sensitivity to salt. Evergreens are especially vulnerable in the winter. Foliage remains a prime target for salt spray from passing cars or drifting particles from treated walkways. Many shrubs and perennials have roots close to the soil surface, where salt accumulates. This can lead to desiccation, dehydration, dieback or even plant death. Excess salt disrupts soil chemistry, reducing its ability to hold water and nutrients. Plan for salt tolerant plants choices in areas where needed.

Mechanical removal of snow and ice using shovels, brooms, or snowblowers remains the most environmentally friendly method. These tools physically remove snow without introducing chemicals, making them ideal for areas near sensitive plantings. Shovel or plow thoroughly prior to salting.

There are times when mechanical removal isn’t enough, especially during freeze-thaw cycles or after an ice storm. When chemical deicers are necessary, strategic use can dramatically reduce environmental harm.

Decide how much is needed for application and only apply what is needed. More product does not equal more melting. Over-application wastes money and increases the risk of runoff into storm drains and planting beds.

Check the weather forecast. If temperatures are expected to rise, you may need less product. If a deep freeze is coming, pretreatment may be more effective and efficient in use of product.

Pretreatment with liquid deicers helps prevent ice from bonding to pavement, making later removal easier. Liquid solutions adhere better to surfaces than granular products, allowing for reduced scatter and keeping chemicals where they are needed. Use salt brine rather than rock salt; it has quicker action and requires less salt.

Choose products carefully as there are many options available for different applications. Calcium magnesium acetate, or CMA, and potassium-based products tend to be less harmful to plants that traditional rock salt, though they still require careful use. Ice melt products can pit concrete if not used properly. Sweep up and save extra salt or sand for reuse.

Plants face more that just salt exposure during winter. Heavy snow and ice can weigh down branches, causing bending, cracking, or breakage. Gently remove snow from shrubs and evergreens. Use an upward sweeping motion with a broom to lift snow off branches. Pushing downward can cause limbs to snap. Avoid forceful removal of ice. Branches become brittle when covered in ice. Attempting to shake or break off ice can cause more harm than good. Allow ice to melt naturally.

Burlap screens, snow fencing, or temporary windbreaks can shield vulnerable plants from salt spray and drifting snow. Landscape design efforts can utilize plant material strategically to avoid snow accumulation in targeted areas.

Maintaining safe walkways doesn’t have to come at the expense of your landscape. By combining mechanical removal, careful chemical use, and plant-protective practices, you can keep walkways safe while preserving the health of your yard. A little planning goes a long way, ensuring that when spring arrives, your plants emerge health, resilient, and ready to grow.

Andrew Holsinger is a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator serving Christian, Jersey, Macoupin and Montgomery counties.