Protect Your Driveway and Landscape in Toronto Winter: Deicing and Edge Marking Tips

Winter snow removal can damage your hardscaping if not done properly. Homeowners in Toronto, North York, Etobicoke, and York often face cracked interlock, salt-burned grass, and crushed garden edges by spring.

12/28/20251 min read

Prevent Surface Damage

De-icing salt can erode concrete and harm vegetation. Use calcium magnesium acetate or pet-safe products that won’t stain surfaces or kill nearby shrubs. Avoid piling snow directly against fences, garden beds, or wood structures where meltwater can refreeze.

Edge Marking 101

Before the first major snowfall, mark the edges of your driveway, walkways, and flower beds with tall reflective stakes. These help contractors and city plows identify property boundaries even under deep snow.

Protect Interlock and Asphalt

Seal interlock joints in the fall to reduce freeze-thaw cracking.
Use plastic shovel blades to avoid scraping.
Apply sand for traction rather than rock salt where possible.
Avoid using metal-tipped tools near edges or pavers.

Bonus: Protect Your Landscaping

Brush off shrubs or tree branches weighed down by snow instead of shaking them, which can snap limbs. Build small snow barriers with leftover snow to protect delicate plants from windburn.

Get Professional Help

Maintaining your property’s appearance all winter takes planning and precision. Book snow removal with Oasis Lawns to get eco-friendly service that keeps your driveway, stonework, and landscape safe from damage.