Protect landscape from winter damage

Avoid walking on frost-laden lawns until the frost melts. Walking on frozen grass can damage or break the blades, causing them to turn brown.

Ice melt products make the sidewalk, driveway and porch step safe in bad weather, but they may be deadly to landscape plants or damaging to concrete, so always read and follow label directions. Deicers made with calcium magnesium acetate are considered the most environmentally friendly and the safest for use around plants, concrete and other hard surfaces.

The best way to keep surfaces free of snow and ice is to sweep or shovel them away. Alternatives to chemical ice melts include clean, non-clumping kitty litter, saw dust, coffee grounds or sand.

Prepare now for spring landscape chores

Winter is a great time to make sure your lawn and garden equipment gets serviced. Shops are usually less busy now than in spring. Make sure to tune up power equipment engines and sharpen the blades on mowers and other tools so they will be ready when spring arrives.