QA

How To Landscape A Septic Mound

How can I make my septic mound look nice?

Cover the mound with flowers Turning your septic mound into a stylish flower bed can help make it more attractive. However, planting flowers on top of a septic mound is a lot different than planting them in a regular flower bed.

How do you landscape a septic mound?

Plant shrubs or perennial plants on the berms around the mound or along the edges where the berms meet the flat part of your yard. Avoid planting shrubs or anything with deep roots on the mound itself.

How can I hide my septic mound?

3 Ways To Hide Your Mound Septic Systems With Landscaping Design Herb Gardens On And Around Your Septic Mound. Herb gardens can be planted on mounds to hide them. Retaining Walls To Build Up The Location Of Your Mound. Create A Rock Garden To Hide The Mound Of Your Septic System.

Can you plant on septic mound?

Native grasses and wildflowers are the most-recommended options for disguising a septic mound. Plants that are shallow-rooted and thrive in dry conditions are best because they won’t grow deep into the mound to seek out water. These plants also tend to be low maintenance, keeping foot traffic to a minimum on the mound.

What can be planted on a septic mound?

Herbaceous plants, such as wildflowers and grasses, are good choices for mound plantings. Grasses are especially desirable due to their fibrous root systems which hold soil in place. Grasses also provide year-round cover.

Can you plant flowers on a sand mound?

Planting flowers can work very well, with both local natives, U.S. natives and naturalized plants all providing a potential “septic mound garden.” Our native coneflowers (Echinacea), with their many hybrid colors, are a good choice.

What can you put on top of a septic mound?

Grass is generally recommended as an ideal cover for sand mound septic systems because it has a relatively shallow, fibrous root system that protects the mound from erosion without having deep roots that could cause problems.

Should you mow your septic mound?

To prevent compaction, do not allow any vehicles or heavy equipment on the mound. When mowing the lawn, use a hand mower, rather than a riding mower. This will also help protect the mound from losing soil to erosion. The slope of the mound makes it more susceptible to erosion than a conventional drain field.

Can you put a greenhouse over a septic field?

A greenhouse can be erected on a septic field to grow certain types of plants. The greenhouse should not have permanent foundations, which could easily damage the septic system. Do not plant directly into the ground over a septic field, as the plants could absorb contaminants released by the system.

Can I plant wildflowers on a septic mound?

Yes, you can certainly plant wildflowers over your septic system leach field area.

Can you plant anything on a mound system?

Only herbaceous plants should go on the mound, with trees and shrubs reserved for nearby areas.

What can you plant on a mound?

Squash and cucumber may be planted in mounds, as well as root vegetables such as beets or potatoes. The purpose of building up a mound and adding plants to that mound may be practical, aesthetic or both. A garden mound for vegetables may be 2 feet high and 3 feet across.

Can you put anything over a septic field?

To maintain the integrity and longevity of your drainfield, you should never put anything heavy on top of any part of it. You shouldn’t even drive over the drainfield, as the vehicle can crush the drainfield lines. Heavy items cause soil compaction.

What is the lifespan of a sand mound septic system?

How Often Do Septic Tanks Need to Be Replaced? A septic tank can last between 20 and 40 years. The lifespan depends on the tank’s material.

Can you put raised beds on septic field?

Tip. A raised garden can interfere with the functioning of a septic or drain field. Installing a raised garden bed over the leach lines is not recommended.

Can you put a deck over a septic tank?

You should never build a deck over a septic field; doing so will prevent the natural draining and dissipation of the effluent. This can ruin the septic system, not to mention releasing foul smells into the air all around your deck. The dissipating effluent can also rot the deck from underneath.

How long does mound system last?

Mounds and septic systems designed and installed prior to the year 2000 AVERAGE 20 to 25 years of useful life prior to failing and needing to be replaced. Many systems fail sooner than 20 years, and many last well beyond 25 years, the AVERAGE is 20 to 25 years. What causes failure of a mound or septic system.

Can you use a riding mower on septic mound?

No. Ride-on mowers and other garden care equipment will not harm your leach field. You should, however, stay away from it with cars, pick-up trucks, and rubber tired heavy equipment like backhoe loaders.

How do you take care of a mound system?

Proper Care Includes: Checking the pump chamber, pump and floats every year and replacing or repairing worn or broken parts. Installing a septic tank effluent filter or pump screen, if your system does not have one. Taking action to protect the mound from overloading after a prolonged power outage or pump failure.