For your plants’ sake, go easy on ice-melting salt

Removing ice from roads and walkways in winter might be essential for safety, but salt can be damaging to plants and soil.

Salt has the same effect on plant roots as salty potato chips do on your lips: It draws water from living cells. Salt can ruin soil structure so it wads up into an airless mass. Not a nice place for plants to grow.

Damage from winter salt is sneaky, not manifesting itself until spring or later. Then, new leaves might emerge pale green or yellow or, later in the season, leaves may look scorched or turn their autumn colors early. Stems might die back or be stunted.

Older plants can sometimes recover from salt injury, especially if spring and summer rains are abundant.

Home trends to spruce up your space this winter

Trend reports for 2021 are full of ideas for the home. Here are some to try.