In the United States, people often use large amounts of salt to remove dangerous ice from roads and walkways in the winter. But when the spring arrives, all that salt can really damage plants in the garden. Salt is the chemical sodium chloride. Salt pulls water from living cells, like plant roots and the healthy ground soil around them. So, spring growth may show up lighter in color than normal, or, in the worst cases, plants may simply die. Rain can wash away much of the salt, permitting some older plants to live. Salt can also be removed by pouring a large amount of water on the ground where plants are growing. But the best action is to simply use less salt. Researchers have found that putting a small amount of salt on a road works better to melt ice than dropping a large amount of salt crystals.
What is sodium chloride?
iron
salt
calcium
fluoride
Why are large amounts of salt used?
to remove dangerous ice from roads and walkways in the winter
to put valuable nutrients into the soil
to feed wild animals during the winter
to clean dirt from roadway surfaces
Too much salt is harmful to plants because it pulls water away from roots and ground soil.
makes the plants grow too large
pulls water away from roots and ground soil
creates poisonous leaves
puts too much water into the ground soil