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Q: I am wondering what can be planted on top of a septic tank besides grass? I know trees are out!
Hardiness Zone: 9a
SusannL from Florida
A: SusannL,
You have several options for landscaping your septic system. You can landscape with lawn, ornamental grasses, ground covers and ornamental plants. Drought tolerant plants are best, and edible crops that require frequent irrigation are not recommended because the need for constant watering (and digging) can overload your system. The most important thing to remember is to choose low maintenance, low growing plants with shallow, non-invasive roots. The simpler you keep things the better. You obviously want something that looks good, yet also allows you to monitor and service the area as needed. One suggestion would be to turn this area into a focal point by pot-scaping with a few colorful container plants and maybe adding a sundial or bird feeder to clearly mark your system's port.
You don't ask about ideas for plants to use over the drainfield, but planting the same types of low maintenance, shallow-root plants in this area can actually keep your system running optimally. Plants can actually help provide the drainfield area with oxygen exchange and contribute to evaporation. This will help keep your septic system running optimally. Don't plant edibles here either, as they will be directly exposed to effluent leeching into the ground from your drainage pipes. Do not use landscape fabric, plastic, bark or mulch around your septic system and do your best to avoid compacting the soil.
Here is small list of plants often recommended for landscaping around septic systems. Contact your county extension agency for more ideas specific to your zone.
Grasses: fescue, ornamental grasses, lawn.
Ground covers: bugleweed, carpet heathers, cotoneaster, ground ivy, periwinkle(sun); bunchberry, ferns, mosses, sweet woodruff, wild ginger, wintergreen (shade).
Ornamentals: petunias, marigold, zinnia, impatiens, geranium.
Ellen
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RE: What Can I Plant on Top of a Septic Tank?
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Post By Maggie, Illinois (Guest Post)
(06/17/2006)
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We have tulips over our unused septic tank. We also have day lilies and easter lilies. Hope that helps.
RE: What Can I Plant on Top of a Septic Tank?
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Post By patsAZ (Guest Post)
(06/15/2006)
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Remember whatever you do,that septic tanks have to be cleaned out once in a while. The only way to do that is to uncover the septic tank and open it up. So be careful not to plant anything that is precious to you. Or anything that cannot be torn out or transplanted when the need arises.
Unless there is a problem, tanks don't need to be cleaned out often. But proper maintenance requires a clean out,
Hope this helps. I use a combination of items on mine. A rusted folding chair, rusty lantern, piece of rope and old cowboy boots for decoration. We live in Arizona so a western theme works for us.
pats
RE: What Can I Plant on Top of a Septic Tank?
not sure if a filter bed is the same as a septic bed but hubby has been planting his veggie garden on ours for last 2 yrs and its done well. Good luck on finding something to plant
RE: What Can I Plant on Top of a Septic Tank?
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Post By Bonnie (Guest Post)
(06/08/2006)
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Generally- if I remember this right from class- you can plant many different types of grasses (yes, there are types!). Call your local nursery, ask if they have any ornamental grasses which prefer a wet environment. Call around if you have to, and get the latin names of the plants, then put together brief descriptions. Once you've that info, give the local health dept/public utilities/drain commission (whomever's in charge of septic in your area) and ask. Or heck, skip the independent info-gathering and give them a buzz first!
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