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