
Salt is everywhere – from irrigation, to fertilizer, to your untouched soil. Salt is a naturally occurring mineral, but is your lawn getting far too much? If you’re living near a road or seaside, it might be. Passing cars or unexpected flooding can throw salty water into your lawn. These situations mean Rhode Island lawns are in danger of taking up too much salt, which can impact your lawn’s appearance and health. So, let’s deep-dive into the effects of salt on your grass and how to achieve a salt-tolerant lawn.
Why Worry About Salt?
Excess salt uptake is a year-round concern in lawn care. However, your lawn is especially susceptible in the winter because it’s dormant. Excessively salty soil can create a very stressful environment, making it harder to survive the cold months. When salt leeches into the soil, grass roots absorb it, causing various health issues. Too much salt uptake prevents grass from receiving other essential nutrients, causing it to stop photosynthesizing and starve.
Will Salt Water Kill My Grass?
Yes, salt water can kill your grass. However, effective lawn care solutions can strengthen your lawn and create a salt-tolerant environment. Sea salt spray on the Rhode Island coast is a year-round hazard to nearby lawns, but winter also introduces road salt to the area. As snow melts when the temperature rises, this salt can run into nearby lawns and seep into the ground. You might be dealing with salt damage if you notice scorched and burned leaves or dead or yellow grass along the sidewalks.
Choosing Salt-Tolerant Grass Varieties In Rhode Island
Since it’s impossible to stop salt water from infiltrating your lawn, let’s look at some solutions to high salinity. The best long-term solution for high-salinity lawns is seeding your lawn with salt-resistant grass types. If your lawn struggles with high salinity soil, think about overseeing these grass types this year.

- Tall Fescues: With a high heat tolerance and the ability to grow in less fertile soil, tall fescues are an excellent option for improving your lawn’s salt tolerance.
- Fine Fescues: Fine fescues will happily grow in any sunlight exposure levels and remain healthy in infertile and moderately salty soils.
- Perennial Ryegrass: Known for its fast germination and weed suppression, perennial ryegrasses can also tolerate higher salt levels.
Low-Salt Soil Fertilizer And Amendment Options
Achieving fertile soil is more than making sure it has diverse nutrients. Many turfgrass fertilizers can contribute to the salinity of your soil. Testing and amending soil for its salt content can create a more suitable environment for your turfgrass. Generally, the ideal soil salinity level is below 2.0 deciSiemens per meter. It’s best to avoid some ingredients, such as Potassium nitrate, which has a high salt index and can contribute to your soil’s salt levels. Instead, consider these low-salt fertilizers to feed your turfgrass.
- Slow-release nitrogen fertilizers gradually release nutrients into the soil, reducing the risk of salt buildup.
- Gypsum can improve soil structure without increasing its pH or salt levels.
- Sulfur can both reduce soil pH and salinity, making it an effective amendment for salty soils.
Proper Irrigation Practices For Salty Soil
If your soil test results confirm high levels of salts, then a thorough watering can help. Leaching your property’s soil by watering heavily can remove salts from well-draining soils. Here’s a general rule of thumb: Watering heavily and infrequently is the best method to leach your soil without depleting its nutrients. So, don’t be afraid to douse your lawn!

Stop Salty Soil With Environmentally-Friendly RI Lawn Care
MissionGreen Service has the expertise needed to set your lawn up for success. With skilled lawn care specialists based in Smithfield, Rhode Island, we’re ready to push back against soil salinity with proven lawn maintenance strategies. Let us revive your grass with the nutrients and care it needs. Call us at 401-475-9884 or email us at getgreen@missiongreenservices.com to learn more about our comprehensive lawn care program today.