Perhaps the most gentle way to get rid of ice is mechanical removal.
But, since this “procedure” cannot be called easy, many summer residents are cunning and use other methods on their plots: granite chips, gravel, coarse sand, ash, but most often salt.
However, this solution is not the best: salt damages shoes, cars, pets' paws. It causes paving slabs to crumble, and the soil becomes saline.
Therefore, it is worth taking a closer look at other, safer, but at the same time inexpensive methods.
Unlike salt, chlorides will leave with melt water and will not return to the soil, while potassium, on the contrary, will remain, which will benefit plants.
Before application, mix potassium chloride and urea in equal proportions to saturate the soil with nitrogen.
Potassium chloride may have some negative effects on erosion, shoe wear and metal corrosion. However, urea has protective properties for metals, and when combined with potassium chloride, the negative effects of the latter are significantly reduced.
By the way, urea can be used independently to sprinkle ice. As a result, walking becomes safe.
Earlier we told you why you shouldn’t use a plastic card to clear ice from your car’s glass .