Walking into the ice melt section of a store can be a dizzying experience. The bags all look the same, the ingredients lists can be hard to de-code and there is no way to tell which one will work best. Are the more expensive options better? Which one is safer for your landscaping? Take a look at these top three choices and decide which one suits you.

Calcium Chloride
Most brands of ice melt use a blend of salts. Calcium chloride is the most popular choice. It prevents ice from freezing at temperatures as low as -31 degrees Celsius, the lowest temperature that any typical salt will work. Because it gives off heat as it dissolves, it also works the quickest out of any option. However, it is a very harsh chemical. It will corrode metal, damage decorative concrete, harm plants and hurt animal paws.

Rock Salt
Rock salt is chunks of sodium chloride, better known as regular table salt. Not only is the cheapest and most readily-available option, but it also helps dry out the surface it is applied to. Rock salt itself will only melt ice at temperatures around -6 degrees Celsius, but it is often combined with other salts to improve its effectiveness. It is less damaging to surfaces than calcium chloride, but it is still harmful to plants and pet paws.

Eco-Friendly
Eco-friendly options use gentler salts than their commercial counterparts. While no eco-friendly option is perfect, they are significantly less damaging to pets, plants and waterways than traditional salts. Most of these options contain a combination of magnesium chloride, urea and an acetate. Of these ingredients, urea is the most controversial. Recent studies have found it can be damaging to aquatic life, but it is still less harmful than most other commercial ingredients.

Shopping Tips
Knowing your ingredients gives you some excellent guidelines for choosing a de-icing product. The following tips will help you narrow down your options further:

• All salts are somewhat irritating for pet paws, and so if your animals will be on the surface a lot, opt for a chloride-free blend.
• Choose a urea-free blend if you have water on your property, such as a pond or stream, or live near a large body of water.
• Research online before going to the store. Having a short-list of brands you like will make shopping easier.
• Avoid any brand that doesn’t list ingredients on the bag.
• Avoid brands that only list “chloride” as an ingredient instead of specifying a kind of salt.
• Be wary of eco-friendly claims. Always check the ingredients for yourself.
• For anything larger than a driveway, it is likely more economical to combine a liquid de-icing agent with normal rock salt.

All of these products are most effective if put down before snow hits or after shoveling has been done. You can take the guesswork and physical labor out of de-icer shopping by hiring a professional snow removal service. Not only will the snow be shoveled for you, but snow removal professionals will put down a layer of eco-friendly ice melt after the work is done. No matter what option you choose, having a de-icer applied to your driveway and walkways is safer for you and your family than shoveling alone.

Not everyone wants to don gardening gloves along with their winter coat. If you are one of the brave few determined to get your hands dirty in spite of the weather, we have the winter gardening tips you need to make your landscaping as hardy as you.

• Keep an eye on your trees and shrubs, especially after heavy snowfall or ice. Prune broken branches as soon as possible to avoid further damage to the plant.
• Make sure your plantings are kept mulched with a thick layer of straw for insulation.
• If you notice a few plantings not holding up well, build them a cold frame. This is easy to do with old windows if you do not want to purchase a pre-made frame.
• Some ornamental grasses will continue to grow in the cold. Be prepared to prune them back or you’ll end up with a shaggy monster to tame in the spring.
• Don’t neglect watering. If you notice your evergreens starting to brown, it indicates that the snow melt isn’t providing adequate water. Make sure you water with cool water as warm water could shock the roots, killing your plant.

Some winter gardening projects may be too big for the lone gardener to tackle. When faced with a broken tree or damage to an irrigation line, don’t hesitate to utilize our gardening services. Our expertise can be an invaluable tool in maintaining your garden over the cold months.

Snowy weather is fantastic for snowmen and sledding, but getting to work and even walking to your car is a slippery hazard. Toronto faces an average 133.1 centimeters of snowfall every year. Are you prepared? Avoid the time and exertion of shoveling. These three ways to melt snow will help you tackle all that accumulation safely this season.

1. Tackle Icy Windshields and Tires
The next time those pricey cans of windshield deicer are tempting you, put them down and head for the grocery isles instead. For mere pennies, you can make your own solutions from ingredients you have in your pantry. They are just as effective on windshields and around tires, and they are easy to throw together during a busy morning.

There are two solutions that work. The first is a 3:1 mixture of vinegar to water. The vinegar smell will disappear once the solution dries. The second solution is a 2:1 mixture of isopropyl alcohol to water. If you look at the ingredients in commercial deicers, you will see that alcohol is the key ingredient in most of these, too. Keep your solution in a spray bottle, put it in your windshield washer fluid reservoir or dump it directly on icy glass. Make sure the liquid is no hotter than lukewarm. Hot liquid could crack a cold windshield.

2. Keep Snow From Accumulating
It is unfortunate that commercial deicing salts are popular. While effective, most of them are dangerous. They are caustic on pet paws, dangerous if young children ingest them, damage your lawn and harm the environment. If deicers work best for you, look for products that are more environmentally-friendly and are designed to be safe for children and pets.

Another option to melt snow is heated mats. Designed for walkways, rooftops and staircases, these mats can be put in place the night before heavy snowfall to keep it from accumulating or on top of fallen snow. Most mat systems are portable and easy to use. Other systems, while more expensive, can be installed under driveway asphalt and walkway concrete as a permanent solution.

3. Professional Snow Removal & Ice Melt Treatments
Shoveling is cheap, thorough, and an incredible hassle. Not only is it exhausting and time-consuming, shoveling puts considerable strain on your lower back and heart. Leave snow shoveling up to the professionals. You might be surprised how affordable snow removal in Etobicoke can be.

Professional snow removers know how to remove snow quickly, thoroughly and with minimal strain. Unlike shovels or home snow blowers, professional equipment is designed to protect your landscaping, including ornamental cement. Snow removal teams are on-call during inclement weather. After the snow is gone, the removal team will lay down a layer of safe, eco-friendly deicer to prevent further accumulation. You can relax inside while the pros make your driveway, walkways and sidewalks safe.

Don’t let the snow pile up this season. Smart shopping, thrifty solutions and a simple phone call can make snowy mornings safer for you and your family.