The dangers of de-icing

The British winter can be very harsh on your garden and outdoor vegetation. Added to these "natural" hazards are the de-icing substances that we scatter around during these cold months.

De-icing in your garden is a task which can cause many problems for your plants. Rock salt is probably the biggest problem. Despite the fact that salt is an excellent, economically priced de-icer, it is also very easy to find in local shops.

Noticeable symptoms of damage from salt varies between each individual plant, but most symptoms include yellowing foliage, twig dieback and even  sudden death  in extreme cases.
The effect that salt de-icers have on plants comes from the fact that salt causes dehydration. As the sodium separates from the chloride it works its way in to the plants cells and damages it from the inside.

Throughout the winter months there are ways that you can help to protect your plants from the devastating effects of de-icing. By acting quickly you can help to prevent  sodium chloride from binding all of the plant's nutrients together. Since absorbing and binding water elements is a speciality of salt there isn't an easier way to remove salt than by rinsing it off with water. Using a watering can or another suitable container,  simply rinsing away the salt will stop it from seeping in to the stem cells of the plant.

Although a rinse off with water is an effective way to remove  salt you also need to ensure that the salt does not fall into the root area of the plant as it can also be absorbed through the ground.
However there are other ways of protecting your plants throughout the winter.

Not all de-icers are harmful towards plant life and vegetation. Products such as IceGo have the capability to de-ice your garden whilst leaving no damage behind. Completely friendly towards vegetation, this non corrosive formula effectively dissolves ice and snow on contact. Working as low as -11C this organic solution is the perfect resolution to de-icing and keeping your plants in a healthy condition.

FUZE Products IceGo DeIcer - a range of salt free and safe to use Pellets and Liquid in a wide variety of sizes to suit every requirement. You can buy IceGo today and be one step ahead of the winter by clicking here.