BEWARE of Ice Melt Damage

December 7, 2016

IMPORTANT TIPS TO PREVENT & TREAT ICE MELT DAMAGE

Applying Ice Melt to walkways and drives is a necessary and effective way to prevent slips and falls throughout the winter season but it can also cause adverse effects to lawns and landscapes. Following these steps can assist with the prevention and treatment of ice melt damage:


IDENTIFYING ICE MELT THREATS

Ice melt damage occurs when turf and ornamentals become burned by splashed product or when it is dissolved into water runoff and absorbed into the root system. Damaged areas are often located next to the street, sidewalk or driveway where ice melt has been applied regularly throughout the winter season. Continued splashing of ice melt onto turf or ornamentals can increase salt concentration to a toxic level that will result in weaken or dying plants. 


  • NOTE:  Some grasses, foliage and ornamentals exhibit a higher tolerance to ice melt while others, like, shallow-rooted species and evergreens, can be injured very easily. Be sure to protect the weaker plants or do not plant them near areas where ice melt will be applied. Call your state extension office for a listing of resistant species in your area. Ice melt damage may not be detected until spring when plants begin to green-up and grow again.

 

WAYS TO IDENTIFY ICE MELT DAMAGE/SALT TOXICITY IN TURF AND ORNAMENTALS:


  • Plants are delayed in leaf bud breaking and flowering
  • The foliage and buds are stunted
  • Tips of plants are brown
  • Shoot growth is reduced
  • Crown thinning and tufting at branch tips
  • Foliage prematurely changes colors or losses leaves
  • Twig mortality
  • In severe cases, invasions by insect borers, crown dieback, weakly pathogenic fungi and plant mortality may occur

 

THE SCIENCE BEHIND WHAT HAPPENS TO VEGETATION WITH ICE MELT DAMAGE

When ice melt “burns” vegetation and its roots, it disrupts the natural movement of water in plants from an area of low ionic concentration (salt) within the plant cells to that of higher concentration in soil or on foliar surfaces. During dry periods, when the atmospheric humidity and soil moisture is limited, salt injury is more likely since it cannot be leached through the root system. In Ph. D., Plant Pathologist, Bruce R. Fraedrich’s article, Salt Injury to Landscape Plants: Identification and Treatment, he explains the role in which high levels of ice melt concentration play in a plant:


Recent research indicates that sodium and/or chloride ions themselves may be toxic to plants in quantity. The former element particularly is suspect since, unlike chlorides, which are readily translocated to the leaves where they are shed; sodium is extremely static and will accumulate in soil and plant tissue. High sodium concentration in plant tissues may alter a plant’s mineral nutrition balance and inhibit protein syntheses (Fraedrich,bartlett.com).


To prevent this damage from occurring try following these tips this winter to help avoid buildup of high salt concentration levels:


  • Substitute ice melts with sodium chloride to products with calcium chloride because it is much less toxic to plants and just as effective.  NOTE:  Calcium chloride deicing agents are not for large scale use due to higher cost and can be difficult to store. Only use this on smaller applications, for instance, on areas near your landscape.
  • Don’t over salt! Excess product can increase the chance of ice melt bouncing into a lawn. Follow label instructions for proper application.
  • Remove ice and snow frequently to prevent access buildup of product on driveways, sidewalks, paths, etc. Try not to distribute ice/snow treated with product onto lawns or gardens.
  • Refrain from planting anything near areas that will be exposed to salt.
  • Don’t plant plants highly susceptible to salt damage on a downward slope from areas where ice melt is applied.
  • Create a barrier between spaces where ice melt will be applied and the yard to prevent salt from entering into the landscape. Try using burlap, landscape fabric, wood, polyethylene, etc. to erect this barrier.
  • If plants are being sprayed, lightly brush off ice melt.
  • IMPORTANT:  Never use ice melt on concrete that is less than 2 years old. Freeze-thaw damage can occur, cause cracks in new driveways, pathway, stairs, etc. Instead try sand or kitty litter; these are less effective but will help prevent slipping.

 

TREATING SALT INJURED LANDSCAPES

If you recognize salt burn to the lawn and landscape, try these options to treat and correct the damaged area:


  • Water heavily to leach salt out, especially in dry conditions
  • Apply Gypsum to counteract salt injury.  NOTE:  When you apply gypsum, it will react with toxic sodium ions to render them unavailable to plants, causing the negatively charged sulfate ions in gypsum to bond with the positive charged sodium ions forming sodium sulfate. The sodium sulfate is highly soluble and can be easily leached through the soil creating a binding agent by leaving the remaining positive charged calcium ions free to bond with negative charged clay molecules, resulting in increased soil aeration and permeability. Gypsum can be applied with a lawn spreader, just like granular fertilizers.
  • Reseed grass that is too severely damaged. Water heavily prior to reseeding.  NOTE:  Tall Fescue is a grass species that is more salt tolerant, check with your local distributor for more details.
  • Use fertilizer with low salt indices (Low potash/potassium content, the lower the “K” the lower the salt index.)


For professional fertilizers, humic and AMP-XC™ enriched products available, please visit TurfCare’s online Product Catalog.
 
For green industry professionals or others interested in ordering Turfcare products, please contact our Customer Service to find a distributor near you.

Reference:
https://www.bartlett.com/resources/Salt-Injury-to-Landscape-Plants.pdf
https://www.spring-green.com/lawn-care-guide/preventing-salt-damage/
https://www.greenviewfertilizer.com/articles/prevent-ice-melt-damage

The TURFReport Highlights:

Additional Articles and Insights

January 30, 2026
White Plains, NY – January 30, 2026 – Interoceanic Corporation (“IOC”) announced today that its affiliate Spring Valley USA (Spring Valley) , has acquired the blending and packaging assets and business of Turf Care Supply, LLC, a leading manufacturer and blender of turf and ornamental fertilizers as well as ice melt. The combination of Spring Valley and Turf Care Supply’s blending business, forms one of the largest independent lawn and garden fertilizer platforms in North America. The integrated business will have approximately 250 employees and will operate eight manufacturing and blending facilities across seven states, enabling coast-to-coast coverage of customers. By uniting two highly complementary companies, this acquisition creates a world-class turf & ornamental supply company positioned to deliver enhanced value to both professional and retail customers. “This acquisition is a transformative step for our organization,” said Elio Mazzella , President of IOC and Spring Valley. “By bringing Turf Care Supply into the IOC family, we are significantly expanding our reach and capabilities in serving the lawn and garden industry. The combined company will have an unrivaled production footprint and product portfolio, which means we can offer our customers faster service, greater efficiency, and innovative solutions on a national scale. Our goal is to build a world-class platform that blends the strengths of both businesses – the supply chain efficiencies of the combined business and the family-business values – will drive growth for our customers and vendor partners.” With the closing of the transaction, Turf Care Supply, LLC will be renamed Allied Nutrients and continue to manufacture leading enhanced efficiency fertilizers (“EEF”) out of its Martins Ferry, Ohio facility. Mark Mangan, President of Allied Nutrients, commented, “we want to thank our long-time employees that will be joining the IOC family and wish them well. We have known the IOC team for many years and believe this will be a great home. At the same time, we are excited for our remaining employees as we focus our resources and efforts on providing the best EEF solutions to the turf and ornamental market.” With this acquisition, the combined company now operates manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin, Ohio, Texas, Florida, Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Oklahoma, giving it the ability to blend and package fertilizer products and ice melt closer to customers in every major region. Turf Care Supply’s sites in Hatfield (MA), Sebring (FL), Cleveland (TN), and Catoosa (OK) will join Spring Valley’s existing plants in Jackson (WI), Fostoria (OH), Greenville (TX), and Longwood (FL). This expanded footprint significantly reduces transit times and enhances supply reliability for our customers. Maintaining strong customer relationships during and after the integration is a top priority. “All of our customers will continue to receive the outstanding service and product quality they expect, now with the added benefit of a truly national production network,” Mazzella added. Each major customer will be supported by an expanded team dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition and ongoing success. Strategically, the merger of Spring Valley and Turf Care Supply unlocks significant commercial synergies that will benefit both our customers and vendor partners. Together, the company will offer the most comprehensive product portfolio in the industry. “This combination is about building a platform that is perfectly suited to support our customers growth,” said Mazzella. “By combining our R&D and product development efforts, we intend to bring new, high-value solutions to market that neither company could have achieved alone.” The integration of the two businesses is already underway, with a focus on maintaining operational continuity and exceptional customer service throughout the spring season. The company also emphasized that all Turf Care Supply employees are being welcomed into the organization, and that the combined workforce will play a crucial role in driving the business forward. “This is an exciting moment for all of us. By uniting two great teams, we’re creating a stronger company with a shared commitment to our customers’ and vendors success, ” Mazzella noted. About Interoceanic Corporation (IOC): Based in White Plains, NY, IOC is a diversified family-owned company specializing in the production, marketing, and distribution of fertilizer and industrial chemical products. Other notable affiliates of IOC are PCI Nitrogen, Columbia River Nitrogen and EM² Enterprises. With this transaction, the group of businesses consist of over 600 employees. IOC’s family values, entrepreneurial spirit, and supply chain expertise have driven its growth from a regional fertilizer distributor into an international platform that provides reliable, high-quality products. About Allied Nutrients: Based in Brunswick, OH, Allied Nutrients specializes in providing enhanced efficiency fertilizers that support turfgrass and ornamental plant health. Through world-class manufacturing and research and development, the company offers a comprehensive portfolio of products, including SCU, PCU, PCSCU, reacted slow-release nitrogen, and urease inhibitors. 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Dear Valued Industry Partners and Customers, We are pleased to announce that Turf Care Supply, LLC has acquired Agri-Nutrients, Inc. (October 1, 2024) a respected manufacturer in the turf and ornamental fertilizer industry. This acquisition marks a significant step forward in our commitment to providing you with an expanded range of innovative products, services, and industry expertise, all designed to support your business’s continued growth and success. As a valued partner or customer, you will benefit from enhanced service capabilities and an extended geographic reach, thanks to Agri-Nutrients, Inc.’s strategic facility located in the Port of Catoosa, Oklahoma. With this established presence in the Southwest and Western markets, Turf Care Supply, LLC’s expanded operational footprint will allow us to serve a broader region with greater efficiency, delivering even stronger support to help drive your business forward. We are dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition while maintaining the high standards of service you expect. If you have any questions or would like to explore how this new location can enhance your operations, please feel free to contact your account manager or our customer service team. Thank you for your continued trust in Turf Care Supply, LLC . We look forward to partnering with you as we grow together and continue supporting your success. Sincerely, Mark ManganPresidentTurf Care Supply, LLC
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White Plains, NY – January 30, 2026 – Interoceanic Corporation (“IOC”) announced today that its affiliate Spring Valley USA (Spring Valley) , has acquired the blending and packaging assets and business of Turf Care Supply, LLC, a leading manufacturer and blender of turf and ornamental fertilizers as well as ice melt. The combination of Spring Valley and Turf Care Supply’s blending business, forms one of the largest independent lawn and garden fertilizer platforms in North America. The integrated business will have approximately 250 employees and will operate eight manufacturing and blending facilities across seven states, enabling coast-to-coast coverage of customers. By uniting two highly complementary companies, this acquisition creates a world-class turf & ornamental supply company positioned to deliver enhanced value to both professional and retail customers. “This acquisition is a transformative step for our organization,” said Elio Mazzella , President of IOC and Spring Valley. “By bringing Turf Care Supply into the IOC family, we are significantly expanding our reach and capabilities in serving the lawn and garden industry. The combined company will have an unrivaled production footprint and product portfolio, which means we can offer our customers faster service, greater efficiency, and innovative solutions on a national scale. 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At the same time, we are excited for our remaining employees as we focus our resources and efforts on providing the best EEF solutions to the turf and ornamental market.” With this acquisition, the combined company now operates manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin, Ohio, Texas, Florida, Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Oklahoma, giving it the ability to blend and package fertilizer products and ice melt closer to customers in every major region. Turf Care Supply’s sites in Hatfield (MA), Sebring (FL), Cleveland (TN), and Catoosa (OK) will join Spring Valley’s existing plants in Jackson (WI), Fostoria (OH), Greenville (TX), and Longwood (FL). This expanded footprint significantly reduces transit times and enhances supply reliability for our customers. Maintaining strong customer relationships during and after the integration is a top priority. “All of our customers will continue to receive the outstanding service and product quality they expect, now with the added benefit of a truly national production network,” Mazzella added. Each major customer will be supported by an expanded team dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition and ongoing success. Strategically, the merger of Spring Valley and Turf Care Supply unlocks significant commercial synergies that will benefit both our customers and vendor partners. Together, the company will offer the most comprehensive product portfolio in the industry. “This combination is about building a platform that is perfectly suited to support our customers growth,” said Mazzella. “By combining our R&D and product development efforts, we intend to bring new, high-value solutions to market that neither company could have achieved alone.” The integration of the two businesses is already underway, with a focus on maintaining operational continuity and exceptional customer service throughout the spring season. The company also emphasized that all Turf Care Supply employees are being welcomed into the organization, and that the combined workforce will play a crucial role in driving the business forward. “This is an exciting moment for all of us. By uniting two great teams, we’re creating a stronger company with a shared commitment to our customers’ and vendors success, ” Mazzella noted. About Interoceanic Corporation (IOC): Based in White Plains, NY, IOC is a diversified family-owned company specializing in the production, marketing, and distribution of fertilizer and industrial chemical products. Other notable affiliates of IOC are PCI Nitrogen, Columbia River Nitrogen and EM² Enterprises. With this transaction, the group of businesses consist of over 600 employees. IOC’s family values, entrepreneurial spirit, and supply chain expertise have driven its growth from a regional fertilizer distributor into an international platform that provides reliable, high-quality products. About Allied Nutrients: Based in Brunswick, OH, Allied Nutrients specializes in providing enhanced efficiency fertilizers that support turfgrass and ornamental plant health. Through world-class manufacturing and research and development, the company offers a comprehensive portfolio of products, including SCU, PCU, PCSCU, reacted slow-release nitrogen, and urease inhibitors. These solutions are marketed under leading brands, such as XCU, TTRU, UFLEXX, UMAXX, Nutralene, and Nitroform. 
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Want to maximize your ROI and turf health? Ditch the filler and replace your blends with Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers (EEFs), Micro packs, Soil Amendments, or organic materials. These alternatives can reduce your seasonal application of bags, reduce overall material cost and deliver better results!
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Dear Valued Industry Partners and Customers, We are pleased to announce that Turf Care Supply, LLC has acquired Agri-Nutrients, Inc. (October 1, 2024) a respected manufacturer in the turf and ornamental fertilizer industry. This acquisition marks a significant step forward in our commitment to providing you with an expanded range of innovative products, services, and industry expertise, all designed to support your business’s continued growth and success. As a valued partner or customer, you will benefit from enhanced service capabilities and an extended geographic reach, thanks to Agri-Nutrients, Inc.’s strategic facility located in the Port of Catoosa, Oklahoma. With this established presence in the Southwest and Western markets, Turf Care Supply, LLC’s expanded operational footprint will allow us to serve a broader region with greater efficiency, delivering even stronger support to help drive your business forward. We are dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition while maintaining the high standards of service you expect. If you have any questions or would like to explore how this new location can enhance your operations, please feel free to contact your account manager or our customer service team. Thank you for your continued trust in Turf Care Supply, LLC . We look forward to partnering with you as we grow together and continue supporting your success. Sincerely, Mark ManganPresidentTurf Care Supply, LLC
A forklift is sitting in a garage next to another forklift.
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When handling fertilizers and pesticide it is important to follow suggested guidelines and prioritize safety to protect yourself, others, and reduce environmental impact. Here are some general measures to follow: 1.Read and Follow Instructions: Carefully read and understand the product labels, safety data sheets (SDS), and any accompanying instructions provided by the manufacturer. Follow all recommended guidelines, precautions, and application rates.
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