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'Salt Buster' for road salt on lawns

16 years ago

I am about to order this product, and I am wondering if anyone here has had experience with it. It claims to bind the salt to prevent uptake by the roots. I like the sound of it, but I am wondering about the science.

My front yard along the curb gets nailed by the plow all winter long, and this is the biggest problem area on my lawn due to the salt. It always becomes a crabgrass battlefield later in the season, regardless of my attempts to prevent it.

Have you tried this product?

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Comments (5)

dchall_san_antonio
16 years ago
I don't see any science in their discussion that would lead me to believe their claim. And using humic/fulvic acid to "bind" salt does not compute with me.

Here's the deal with salt. You can dump a ton of it in your yard and still get a nice yard by balancing the added salt with the other salts. The elements to be aware of are sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Sodium is probably your problem. Anyone who has read this forum for the past 6 years know that I NEVER recommend a soil test, but if you have salt issues, I would make an exception. Having said that, the ONLY soil test lab I would go to is The Texas Plant and Soil Lab in Edinburgh, TX. They test soil from around the world so yours should be okay. When they test soil, the salt test comes with their most basic testing. Most labs don't even know what a salt test is and certainly do not have fresh chemicals to do it.
philes21
16 years ago
The science of halophiles is pretty well known, even if somewhat estoteric. I urge you to look up 'halophiles' on wikipedia. In REVERSE order:

2. Yes, there are bacteria that actually bind salt, and can appear to 'remove' salt, or its effects. Unfortunately, those bacteria only survive in high-salt environments, such as the Dead Sea, or the Great Salt Lake. It is true however, that if you package the stuff up, keep it in a relatively hi-salt environment, it will survive packaging and transport, and you could even spray it on your lawn, where it would, well, bind salt to itself, enough that the new compound would wash, eventually, below the plant-available level.

1. A lot of common things perform the same function as halophiles: perhaps the most common is sugar. It's not sexy, and you don't need to be a chemist to understand it. You also, in my opinion, don't need to spend a lot of money to get it. That is very likely why (and if you mistake me for a chemist, you are truly blind) areas of grasses adjacent to roadways don't thrive in April: but they DO THRIVE in May, and for the rest of the summer. If I had a salt problem, I would spray soda pop, beer, and water on the area. That having been said:
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Totally understand, its best to challenge then to sit back and do as your told. To answer some of the questions: How will the allegedly salt ladened snow jump 10 feet? My concern is the roots will grow right up to the street curb (no sidewalks). My property line goes right to the street curb. I've found salt 15' up my driveway...as the plow comes up around the bend the snow and salt comes slamming up my drive/yard. Are you sure they are using salt? Yes, hardcore rock salt. Does the grass that lines your driveway.. die every winter? No it does not, some of the grass dies off around 2' in from the street...but I've only been here 2 winters. Is there a 6 foot dead zone along your property line on the street? - Not sure From what I can tell the salt hasn't been an issue in the 2 winters. My thoughts exactly on the grass. No serious issues...but it could be an issue certain years...I don't want to take that chance where the salt is used heavily and I have a tree that croaks from it. If we're thinking the salt is not to much of an issue still need a tree suggestion based on the requirements above, excpet the salt tolerance. I don't think I have to worry about the potential 8' snow banks piling up on the root zone...
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gardenscout
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks to each of you for the help and the science contribution. I ordered the product and I will report back. It will be hard to tell if there is any difference, though, because I am unwilling to leave an area untreated as a control. I am just going with all or nothing.

The sugar is certainly a good idea, and it would be good for any lawn (or garden or compost pile.) Maybe I'll look for some cheap soda on sale. But for the love of god, not the beer! I have other uses for that!
philes21
16 years ago
I recycle a lot of beer on my lawn, and it sure seems to help. And if it doesn't help, I don't actually notice. .

Good luck with it.
turf_toes
16 years ago
It claims to bind the salt to prevent uptake by the roots

A alternative description might be that it binds itself to your wallet to extract money while doing little or nothing for your lawn.

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