Landscaping Around Your Septic Tank: A Guide on How to Do It
A well-designed landscape around a septic system can not only enhance the aesthetics of your property but also ensure the longevity of your septic system. Here's a guide to help you create a beautiful and functional garden that is septic-friendly.
When it comes to planting around a septic system, it's essential to opt for shallow-rooted, drought-tolerant plants. Popular choices include grasses, wildflowers, and groundcovers such as fescue, ornamental grasses, wildflower meadow mixes, bugleweed, periwinkle, and native groundcovers. Creating a wildflower meadow or pollinator garden over or near the septic area is feasible with these plant options, as they typically have fibrous, shallow roots that stabilize soil without interfering with the septic system.
Key tips for landscaping around a septic tank and drainfield include keeping trees and large shrubs at least 5 feet away from the system to prevent root intrusion. Use native, drought-tolerant plants adapted to local conditions, which reduce irrigation needs and help maintain soil health. Select plants with fibrous, non-invasive root systems like grasses and wildflower mixes to protect the septic drainfield from erosion and compaction.
When designing pollinator-friendly wildflower meadows, choose native wildflower seed mixes recommended for your region and avoid plants with deep roots that might disrupt septic infrastructure. Maintain easy access to septic lids for maintenance by integrating them visually but ensuring they remain unobstructed and safe. Avoid overwatering or compacting soil over the drainfield, as this can impair system function and plant health.
Example plants for septic-safe wildflower or pollinator gardens include species commonly found in native wildflower mixes suited to your climate zone, alongside groundcovers like bugleweed (Ajuga), cottonaster, periwinkle, and kinnikinnick for sunny areas. For shaded areas, consider ferns, sweet woodruff, wintergreen, or wild ginger that offer ground cover while being septic-friendly.
Shrubs with less aggressive roots may be planted 10 feet or further from the septic field. However, large trees may pose a risk to a septic system, and it's a good idea to contact a landscape designer for help with the unique needs of your individual property. Ponds should not be installed near the septic system, and you'll want to minimize foot traffic over the area, so route walking paths around it.
Azalea (Rhododendron spp.), Boxwood (Buxus spp.), Ornamental cherry (Prunus spp.), Dogwood (Cornus spp.), Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis), Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), and Holly (Ilex opaca) are examples of shallow-rooted shrubs and trees that may be safely planted near the septic system.
In summary, by following these guidelines, you can create a beautiful and functional landscape around your septic system that supports environmental health and septic system longevity. Remember to keep tilling and cultivation to a minimum, and avoid laying down any weed barrier fabric, plastic sheeting, gravel, or thick bark mulch. A decorative cover designed to fit over the hatch, turning it into a pretty convincing boulder, or using potted plants, small to medium, lightweight planters, small statues, or lawn ornaments can also be used to mark and disguise the access hatch.
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