Seasonal observations of grass growth and snow management on driveways

¶ … salt inhibit the growth of grass?

In the winter cities there are many external factors that can affect the growth of grass. The snow and ice in the winter months falling on the lawn, the leaves fallen from the tress and other external factors all alters the nature of the soil. All properties that mix with the soil can impact the growth of grass. The pH level of the soil is altered by the use of salt, which is used for cleaning snow. The pH level of the soil is directly related to the growth of plants or grass. Salt can wilt and destroy grass because it creates high osmotic pressure in the soil, which restricts the absorption of water and nutrients by the grass roots (Hall, 1994). There are different types of salt, the simple salts such as kitchen salt are neutral salts, and however there are more complex salts such as snow cleaning salts and those are ionic salts which can alter the pH of the soil (Salt, chemical compound, 2010). In this research project I will conduct research to determine if the use of salt for cleaning snow will impact the growth of grass. Trowbridge (2010) have found that salt water can have negative effect on plants and certain types of grass.

Hypothesis

The null hypothesis is that the use of salt for cleaning snow does not affect the growth of grass. The alternative hypothesis is that using salt to clean snow can impact the growth of grass.

Prediction

When salt contaminates the soil, it will cause the soil to become tough and inhibits the roots of grass from absorbing the water and nutrients from the soil. Plants and grass needs nutrients' and water to survive and grown. Depending on the amount of salt the soil is exposed to it will impact the grass differently. If the soil has less salt contamination it will have the least effect on the grass and soil that has the most contamination will have the most effect. The grass will grow thinner and slower in the experimental group where the soil is contaminated, than the control group where the soil is not contaminated.

Controlled Experiment

The experiment was designed using eight sets of potting soil. The same type of soil was purchased and then placed in eight pots of the same type. There were four red pots and four white pots, each color pot was labeled, A, B, C or D. Potting soil A was the control soil, B, C and D. received different levels of salt treatment. Soil labeled B. received a few sprinkles of salt once monthly for three months, soil C. received the same amount of salt sprinkles twice monthly and the pot C. received the same amount of salt three times monthly for three months. All conditions were maintained equally, the pots were placed in the same yard, they all faced the same weather, got the same water and other external factors. The only different variable in this experiment was the soil's salt exposure for the three-month period. The red and white pots were identical; the experiment was duplicated to ensure validity and reliability. At the end of the winter the pots were observed and analyzed to look for a difference in grass growth.

Data Collection

A log was kept for each pot, it recorded the details of the different pots. The pots were checked daily to record the date of first sight of grass growth. At the end of each month the pots were compared for thickness and length of grass. The length will be measured using a measuring stick and thickness can be determined by the distance between grasses. Each pot was assessed on the same day and recorded in the log. The pots were monitored for three months.

Results

The data collected and analyzed showed that the two control pots had the most grass growth and each month the grass was longer than the other pots. The control pots began growing grass first; the other pots started growing grass later. The chart below rates pots for thickest, length and documents the dates of first sight of grass growth. The control pots are the thickest and longest. The results are as predicted; the pots that have the least exposure to salt have the least effect. Both of the Pot D's, which have the most exposure to salt have the least grass growth and the least length, as well as began growing grass later than the other pots.