The unlikely €1.50 vegetable you need to buy now to defrost your garden

Scotland is expected to be hit by a 60-hour snowstorm, with another Arctic blast expected in December.

It comes not long after Storm Bert caused three days of travel disruption for the country, with gusts of up to 120 km/h.

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Weather maps from WXCharts show that the Scots can expect more showers from around midday on December 9, with up to eight inches of the white stuff forecast two days later.

Meanwhile, temperatures can drop to -7 degrees Celsius.

And Scottish gardeners have been given advice on how to protect their gardens from the approaching ice and frost.

This is evident from a recent study by garden experts Dino decking boardsone in five gardeners say weather conditions are the biggest challenge they face in their outdoor space at this time of year.

But green-fingered newbies are advised to put down their metal shovels when clearing snow or de-icing their yards, as they can scratch the surface of your path or patio and cause irreparable damage.

Instead of, Dino decking boards recommends picking up an unlikely vegetable to protect your garden and patio.

Bosses at the gardening company said: “Although it sounds funny, beetroot juice is an environmentally friendly alternative to the commonly used rock salt and will not harm your patio, garden or grass.

“Because the sugar molecules in beets can also lower the freezing temperature of water, it’s a great natural solution that even cities across the United States are using to defrost their roads.”

And considering 500g of fresh beetroot costs just £1.50 at Asda, it’s a cheap hack.

The vegetables can be cut into pieces and put in a blender together with some water to obtain a simple beet juice, which can then be transferred to a spray bottle for the garden.

If beetroot isn’t your style, Dino Decking has six other defrosting tips for your outdoor space.

Sand and coffee grinds

Both sand and coffee grounds (not used at the same time) absorb sunlight, which melts snow and ice.

This is an excellent way to not only remove ice, but also reduce the chance of it falling over.

Vinegar

As with most DIY cleaning solutions, vinegar is a great cupboard staple.

Vinegar contains citric acid and helps melt snow and ice, although you may have to apply it a few times for it to work.

Hot water

Simply pour boiling water over the ice to loosen it and then wipe it away.

This method works best for small areas of ice, as larger areas will likely refreeze before it can be cleared.

Avoid rock salt

Avoid using rock salt or anything containing sodium chloride as this can be corrosive to the decking and damage the surface.

Magnesium chloride

It’s a good idea to use a defroster that is gentle on the decking, and magnesium chloride works great in colder temperatures.

Spread it evenly over the deck after testing a small area to make sure it is compatible with your deck. This should help melt the ice without causing damage.

Alcohol and water

This at-home method requires one part rubbing alcohol to two parts water in a spray bottle.

Simply spray the solution on the icy areas of your patio to lower the freezing point of the water, which will melt the ice.