January 2012

HOT TOPICS at HGIC

• New USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
• Starting Seeds Indoors
• Melting Ice Safely

New USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

The government's map of planting zones has been updated to reflect a warmer 21st century. This is the first time since 1990 that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has updated the map. The new guide uses better weather data and offers more interactive technology. Zones are based on 1976-2005 weather data. Details are available on USDA's website.

Starting Seeds Indoors

While some may be hunkering down for a long winter's nap, many gardeners are gearing up to grow new seedlings for the spring planting season. Plan now to start spring veggies indoors from seed. Step by step instructions and videos are available on our Grow It Eat It website.

Do you have a question? We're here to help you! Contact us today via phone (Monday -Friday, 8am-1pm, 1-800-342-2507; outside MD 1-410-531-1757) or submit a question via this website.

Melting Ice Safely

Each winter, people apply tons of ice-melting materials to sidewalks, driveways, and steps, often without regard to proper application procedures or to what the deicing substance contains.  Careless use of deicing products can damage both the home and the environment.  To prevent damage to your home and the environment, choose a deicer carefully. It is important not to use plant fertilizers or products that contain urea to melt ice or snow because the nitrogen or phosphorus in them can harm local streams and the bay.  The runoff created by melting ice and snow from one small sidewalk may not cause much harm, but the cumulative effects across a region can create harmful levels of salts and nutrients that eventually pollute the bay.

See the table below for some of the ice-melting products currently found on the market along with information concerning their effectiveness and safety.

*Sodium and calcium chloride are particularly damaging to newly poired concrete.  Also, these chemicals should not be applied to brick or stone surfaces. 

For additional information, read our fact sheet FS 707, "Melting Ice Safely" or call us at 1-800-342-2507.

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