Salt & Why Isn't My Grass Growing

Abstract

This paper will attempt to determine if grass growth at the onset of spring time is negatively impacted by the salt put on it during the freezing cold months. During the winter, we place salt, a compound, on our lawns and driveways to help melt the accumulating snow that has fallen. It the spring of the following year, as the grass begins to grow, it is noticed that the edges of the driveway and certain areas of the lawn aren't growing as rapid as other parts. Following a standard scientific format, I will conduct an experiment to determine if my hypothesis is true that salt effects the growth of grass.

Introduction: During the winter, you spread salt daily on your driveway to melt the snow. In the springtime, when the lawn begins to grow, you notice that there is no grass growing for about 3 inches from the driveway. Furthermore, the grass seems to be growing more slowly up to about 1 foot from the driveway (AIU 2012). Before an experiment can be conducted, the question must be asked first; what is salt? Salt is the mixture sodium chloride and one of the most commonly found minerals on Earth. Its chemical compound is NaCI. The product of sodium chloride is a crystal like shape which takes on a cubic form (Salt Works 2012). The salt compound that is used to melt the snow and ice during the winter is called rock salt or halite. It lowers water's freezing point, making it a prime ingredient to melt snow or ice which is nothing more than water in solid forms. The rock salt has bigger crystals, so it larger than the cubes found in table salt.

Hypothesis: Based on the information above and from my own personal experience, I believe that salt does indeed effect a grass growth. The grass that is exposed to more salt will grow less than the grass that isn't exposed to as much salt in my driveway and along the edges of my lawn.

Prediction: From the experiment that will be conducted, if my hypothesis is indeed correct, then the grass that is less exposed to salt will grow faster than that grass that has more exposure to salt.

Controlled Experiment Methods: I have purchased three strips of grass, approximately 4 inches in diameter; three flowers pots, five inches height and diameter. The grass will be placed in the pots and out in my front yard for five days after being refrigerated for 96 hours consecutively in below freezing temperatures. One day one, I will place approximately one teaspoon (tsp.) of table salt in pot #1, one teaspoon of rock salt in pot #2 and no salt in pot #3. At the end of every other day for the next week, I will measure the amount of new growth for each of the three pots while also observing the look and texture of the grass itself.

Results: The grass that was exposed to rock salt grew