Transforming Landscape for Your Septic Tank: A Step-by-Step Guide
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Are you looking to beautify your yard while ensuring the health of your septic system? With the right landscaping practices, you can achieve both goals. Here's a guide to creating a septic-safe landscape that benefits your system and enhances your yard's aesthetics.
Plant Selection
Choose shallow-rooted, drought-tolerant vegetation that won't damage underground pipes or compact the soil. Recommended plants include fescue grass, ornamental grasses, periwinkle, bugleweed, native groundcovers, Japanese maple, dogwood, ornamental cherry, holly, and azalea. Avoid trees and shrubs with invasive root systems and water-loving plants, which can infiltrate or saturate drain fields[1][3].
Grass Cover
Maintain a thick, healthy cover of grass or native plants to help hold the soil in place, absorb excess moisture, and protect against erosion. Turf like fescue grasses is preferred because they are shallow-rooted and resilient[1][4].
Avoid Heavy Equipment and Soil Compaction
Prevent vehicles or heavy machinery from driving or parking over septic areas to avoid soil compaction, which impairs filtration and can damage pipes[2].
Manage Surface Water Drainage
Ensure the landscape is properly graded to direct rainwater and runoff away from the septic tank and drain field. Consider installing swales, berms, French drains, or splash blocks under gutters to prevent water pooling that could saturate soil and damage the system[2][4][5].
Accessibility and Safety
Integrate tank lids and access points safely into the landscape with secure covers but ensure they remain easily accessible for maintenance. Some landscape professionals blend septic components aesthetically while preserving function[1].
Avoid Hardscaping
Refrain from placing patios, decks, or heavy paved surfaces over septic fields because they can compact soil and disrupt drainage[2][4].
These practices collectively support septic system health, prevent expensive repairs, and create a visually pleasing landscape that blends naturally with the yard environment.
Additional Tips
- Do not lay down any weed barrier fabric, plastic sheeting, gravel, or thick bark mulch.
- Ponds should not be installed near the septic system.
- When preparing the soil around the septic tank, minimize tilling and cultivation.
- Vegetable gardens, herb beds, fruit trees, and berry bushes should be located well away from the septic system.
- Contact a landscape designer for help with the unique needs of your individual property.
- Research into the best plants for the septic system drain fields is beneficial.
- The wastewater filtering through a drain field can contain bacteria, residue from household cleaning chemicals, and other harmful substances. Regular maintenance may be needed for the septic system.
- Access hatch can be marked and disguised with potted plants, small statues, or lawn ornaments.
- Less aggressive trees may be planted 20 feet or further from the septic field.
- Boxwood is a shallow-rooted shrub that may be safely planted near the septic system.
By following these principles, you can create a beautiful, functional landscape that coexists harmoniously with your septic system. Happy landscaping!
[1] SepticSmart, (2021). SepticSmart Landscaping. [online] Available at: https://www.epa.gov/septic/septic-smart-landscaping
[2] National Association of Home Builders, (2021). Preventing and Managing Septic System Failures. [online] Available at: https://www.nahb.org/en/resources/management/green/green-building-and-sustainability/septic-systems/preventing-and-managing-septic-system-failures.aspx
[3] University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, (2021). Landscaping for Septic Systems. [online] Available at: https://cewater.ucanr.edu/Landscaping_for_Septic_Systems/
[4] University of Florida IFAS Extension, (2021). Landscaping Around Septic Systems. [online] Available at: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HS/HS02800.pdf
[5] University of Minnesota Extension, (2021). Landscaping Around Septic Systems. [online] Available at: https://extension.umn.edu/septic-systems/landscaping-around-septic-systems
- To decorate your yard while preserving your septic system, opt for plants like fescue grass, ornamental grasses, periwinkle, bugleweed, native groundcovers, Japanese maple, dogwood, ornamental cherry, holly, azalea, and boxwood, as they have shallow roots and are drought-tolerant.
- Maintain a lush cover of grass or native plants to help hold soil in place, absorb excess moisture, and prevent erosion.
- Avoid using heavy equipment or parking vehicles on septic areas to prevent soil compaction, which can impact filtration and damage pipes.
- Properly grade the landscape to direct rainwater and runoff away from the septic tank and drain field, using features like swales, berms, French drains, or splash blocks under gutters.
- Landscape designers can provide help in addressing the unique needs of your property, ensuring a harmonious coexistence between your landscape and septic system.
- When researching plants, prioritize those suitable for the septic system drain fields to create a visually pleasing garden while minimizing potential harm.
- Regular septic system maintenance may be necessary due to wastewater containing bacteria, residue from household cleaning chemicals, and other harmful substances.
- Access hatches can be marked and disguised with potted plants, small statues, or lawn ornaments, while less aggressive trees may be planted 20 feet or further from the septic field for a balanced home-and-garden lifestyle that benefits both aesthetics and environmental-science principles.
