Landscaping Septic Systems

The soil dispersal area or drainfield component of a septic system is very important and essential for maximizing effective wastewater treatment. Having the right landscaping

on and around your system is important, as tree and shrubbery roots can grow

into the drain lines. Also, other heavy items like cars and livestock can break

drain lines. Strong roots and heavy items can cause the drainfield to fail. And if

the drainfield fails, your system fails.

It is important to know where your septic tank and drainfield are located so you can protect it from various encroachments or obstructions such as:

• Underground sprinkler lines
• Decks and patios • Sand boxes
• Sports courts • Driveways
• Storage sheds • Vehicles
• Swing sets • Swimming pools

Other important considerations when landscaping are:

Don’t:

• Plant a vegetable garden on or near the drainfield.
• Put plastic sheets, bark, gravel or other fill over the drainfield. The soil needs to breathe to provide oxygen to beneficial bacteria that help breakdown the waste.
• Reshape or fill the ground surface over the drainfield and reserve area. However, just adding topsoil is generally OK if it isn’t more than a couple of inches.
• Make ponds on or near the septic system and the reserve area.

Do:

• Plant grass or keep existing native vegetation. These are the best covers for your drainfield.
• Direct all surface drainage away from the septic system.
• Use shallow-rooted plants (see plant list below). Tree and shrub roots can grow into the drainlines, clogging and breaking them.
• Avoid water-loving plants and trees.
• Make sure the tank lid is secure

Suggested plants:

• Grasses
• Fescue
• Ornamental grasses
• sideoats grama
• (Bouteloua curtipendula)
• blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis)
• little bluestem
• (Schizachyrium scoparium)
• prairie dropseed
• (Sporobolus heterolepis)
• June grass (Koeleria macrantha)

Grass-like:

• Sedges (Carex spp.)
• Sweet flag (Acorus gramineus

Groundcovers for sun:

• Bugleweed (Ajuga)
• Carpet heathers (Calluna Vulgaris)
• Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster)
• Moss Phlox (P. subulata)
• Groundcovers for shade:
• Bunchberry (Cornus)
• Ferns, e.g. Christmas fern
• Mosses
• Pachysandra (not P. terminalis)
• Sweet woodruff (Galium Odoratum)
• Wild ginger (Asarum)
• Wintergreen (Gaultheria)
• Wildflower meadow mixes

Selecting Trees for Planting Near Your Septic Drainfield

Not Recommended for Planting Near Drainfields

Beeches                                Fagus spp.

Birches                                  Betula spp.

Elms                                       Ulmus spp.

Poplars                                  Populus spp.

Red Maple                           Acer rubrum

Silver Maple                       Acer saccharinum

Willows                                 Salix spp.

Oaks                                         Quercus spp.

Better Choices for Planting Near Drainfields (>25 feet)

Cherries                             Prunus spp.

Crabapples                      Malus spp.

Dogwoods                        Cornus spp

Hemlock                           Tsuga spp.

Pines                                   Pinus spp.

Sourwood                        Oxydendrum arboreum

For more information on landscaping a septic system see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r3ewMmfIzc&list=PLlYVlIyavc0sIbpBtYtRy-IS_W4QDbFFs&index=3&t=4s