Septic Systems and Landscaping

Your guide to septic safe plants…

You’ve just installed your new septic system and you’re left with a dirt patch. Or you are tired of the boring green landscape. You want to enhance your curb appeal and keep your yard septic friendly. Here are some tips for septic safe plants and landscaping.

Why Plant On Your Septic System

You may have been scared away from planting on your septic system. And for good reason. Invasive tree roots can wreak havoc on leach fields, but certain plants and landscaping can actually help the efficiency of your system.

Types of Septic Safe Plants

The best septic safe plants for over your system and leach field are short-rooted plants perennials and grasses (including ornamental grass). Grasses and flowers reduce erosion of the soil over your leach field, regulate moisture and can help reduce flooding after heavy rains. And they optimize the exchange of oxygen in the soil needed to filter the last of the bacteria from your wastewater. Their shallow root systems are less likely to invade the underground system and cause damage. Herbaceous (non-woody) ground covers are also a good choice.

Things to consider when deciding what to plant

• If the area is sunny, consider these perennials for sunlit areas

• If the spot does not get much sun, you will probably be happier with these shade-garden plants.

• The soil around leach fields is sometimes wetter than average, sometimes saltier than average, and sometimes both. Cover both bases with perennials such as bee balm, hollyhocks, and wild violets, which tolerate both wet ground and salt.

• Bambi will not turn his nose up at plants growing over septic systems, so if you find yourself keeping similar company as Snow White, you will want to look into deer-resistant perennials and deer resistant ground covers, as well as spring bulbs and ornamental grasses that deer do not eat.

It is not safe to eat food crops grown in the ground around a drain field because eating them might entail ingesting harmful bacteria. Any trees or shrubs that you plant should be planted as far from the your septic system as they are tall. So a tree that reaches 30 feet in maturity will need to be planted at least 30 feet away from your septic system.

If you must grow trees and shrubs, shallow-rooted kinds are better to grow around septic tank drain fields. Shallow-rooted trees and shrubs include:

• Dogwood trees

• Japanese maple trees

• Eastern redbud trees

• Cherry trees

• White Oak

• Azalea shrubs

• Boxwood shrubs

• Holly shrubs

The ideal plant is simple grass, as it take sthe least amount of work and has short roots. If you plant flowers, stick to flowering annual or perennial bulbs with short roots or wildflowers.

If you’re tired of grass try a clover mix (microclover/ecograss/carex pensylvanica dwarf, white clover, carpets (thyme, sedums, low-growing ground covers), shallow, short/soft rooted perennials, and moss)

Try to stick with plants that are native to your area (most of Paradise and Magalia are zones 8 & 9). They will have the best reaction with your climate. For more septic safe trees by zone, check out this link, or consult a local garden center and inform them you are landscaping around a septic system.

The Bad Plants

Deep roots are deadly for a septic system and leach field. They can penetrate and clog pipelines, leach field lines, and the tank itself. Trees and shrubs to generally be avoided include:

• Pussy and Japanese Willow Shrubs

• Aspen Trees

• Poplar Trees

• Birch Trees

• Beech Trees

• Cedar

• Elm Trees

• Maple Trees (except Japanese Maple Trees)

• Sweetgum Trees (Eucalyptus)

• Ash Trees

• Tulip Trees

• Cypress trees

• Walnut trees

• Bamboo

Stay away from plants that require frequent work, the less you are disrupting the soil the better. There is no need to water your plants more than absolutely necessary, or add soil to the area. Always wear gloves when gardening near your septic system.

Surrounding Area Landscaping

While not in direct contact with your septic system, it is important to landscape the rest of your yard accordingly.

• Large trees should be removed from the general area as their roots can spread far and wide. The rule of thumb is to keep all trees at least 100 feet from your home and septic tank.

• Use barriers, natural or man made, to discourage traffic over your system. This especially applies to vehicle parking. Make it obvious! Do not park on your septic tank or drain field.

• Use mulch, flowerbeds, rain gutters and drains to divert excess water from your leach field.

Just because you have a septic system doesn’t mean your yard has to be barren. It doesn’t even have to be just grass. Stay with septic-safe plants to avoid the headache of a damaged system while enjoying your yard and landscaping.

Bacteria In Septic Tanks

Although their work is not glamorous, bacteria in septic tanks are the work horses of your system. Keep the bacteria in your septic tank happy and healthy.

While inspections and pumping go a long way, many are surprised to find that your septic tank is a living organism—at least the bacteria living there are. With trillions of bacteria naturally present and working to decompose the solid waste in your tank, it is important to know how to take care of them without upsetting the system.

What Are The Bacteria Living In Your Tank?

Bacteria are separated into two categories: Aerobic and Anaerobic. Aerobic Bacteria are more efficient than their counterpart when it comes to breaking down and using waste as fuel. However, they need plenty of oxygen to survive and are highly sensitive to environmental changes. With little to no need for oxygen and more resilience to environmental changes, the climate of a septic tank suits Anaerobic Bacteria better.

How Do Bacteria Help Your Septic System?

With solid waste often settling on the bottom of your septic tanks, it is hard for the flow, pumps and filters to reach it once it is on the bottom. Enter bacteria! They work to break down solids by digesting the waste as their fuel and excreting is as liquids and gasses. In fact, they are so efficient that they can handle decomposing up to 50% of the waste in your septic tank.

Is Other Maintenance Required?

While 50% is a substantial amount and goes a long way to keeping your septic system in working order, the bacteria need a helping hand. As the undigested solids begin to build up, it can become suffocating and hard for the bacteria stay ahead. To keep the colonies of bacteria healthy it is suggested to have your tank inspected every 5 to 7 years and pumped when the solid waste level is over 25% of your tank.  When you get your tank inspected, your septic professional can recommend whether a pumping is needed. Keep in mind, a system does NOT need to be pumped in order to be inspected.

What Can Disrupt Septic Tank Bacteria?

Although not on purpose, there are a few common household chemicals and practices that can hurt bacteria colonies over time. This list includes:

• Household Chemicals

Liquid bleach, disinfectant cleaners, drain cleaners, non-degradable detergents, solvents (such as paint thinners), insecticides and some prescription drugs such as antibiotics or strong medications. While anaerobic bacteria are resilient and able to handle the occasional chemical, large quantities can kill the colonies over time.

• Antibacterial Cleaning Products

Marketed to kill bacteria, hand soaps and other antibacterial cleaners are designed to not only keep your hands, counter tops and household clean, they can also kill off the bacteria in your septic system. We aren’t suggesting stopping washing your hands, but keep this in mind when thinking about the longevity of your septic tank.

• Flushable Wipes

Flushable wipes don’t decompose, leaving layers and layers of unbroken down solids that bacteria have a hard time decomposing.

• Septic Additives

Like many things, the natural process doesn’t need your help. Even the EPA agrees, stating that septic additives “may actually hinder effective septic system operation by destroying useful bacteria that aid in the degradation of waste, resulting in disrupted treatment activity and the discharge of contaminants.” So we say, don’t waste your money! If you do want to lend your system a helping hand check out this blog post that separates fact from myth on how to bolster the health of your bacterial colonies.

The stakes are high to keep your septic system in top condition, and that means keeping the trillions of bacteria happy and healthy! Have questions? Give us a call today!