Repairing De-icer Damage to Plants

Q: Before a snow or ice event, the city spreads something on the street in front of my house. They used this clumpy blue stuff which I find on my lawn and flower bed. What can be done to avoid harm? 

A: It all depends on what chemical was used. There are several product possibilities. Some are more harmful to plants than others.

The product could contain potassium chloride, sodium chloride, urea, calcium magnesium acetate, or something else.

First, thoroughly soak the soil with water where the chemical was found. Repeat at least three times. If sodium chloride was used, gypsum can be applied to ameliorate damage from sodium.

Deicer damage

Dealing with road salt

Salt injury to plants