It has been a long cold winter, but the temperatures are finally beginning to get warmer. Before you know it, spring will be upon us, and that means only one thing.
As winter turns to spring, it is time to open your garden shed, grab your globes and start planting your favorite flowers, vegetables and other goodies. Whether you already have a garden bed or are just creating one, the space above the drain field on your septic tank is prime real estate.
The nutrients in that drain field can be great for growing plants, but which crops are suitable for this very unique location. Knowing what you should plant, and what you should avoid, is an essential part of your spring gardening plans.
There are plenty of great reasons to landscape the area above your septic tank’s drain field. That landscaping lets you make the most of the space you have available, giving you more room to grow beautiful flowers and other colorful natural spring decorations.
The star flower is one of the best things to plant above the drain field on your septic tank. This popular flower has shallow roots, and it will take root quickly and grow quite readily in this environment. Shallow roots are important, since an extensive root system could grow into the septic field and create clogs.
Turfgrass is another great choice for the drain field above your septic tank. Turfgrass grows quickly, and it thrives in the nutrient rich space your septic tank’s drain field provides.
There are some grasses you should definitely avoid, including pampas grass and tall grasses. Once again, those grasses and their long roost could clog the drain field and create big problems down the line.
No matter what you choose to plant, you do not need to add any extra soil over the drain field. Adding extra soil could be counterproductive and actually do damage to the drain field, so leave it as it is.
You should also avoid overtilling the soil, since breaking up the sod could make clogs more likely. The drain lines may not be embedded as deeply as you think, and they could be as little as six inches below the surface. If you must till, do it carefully, and avoid power equipment that could dig too deeply.
You should also wear your gardening gloves whenever you plant above the drain field. This will protect you from bacteria and germs that may rise to the surface and contaminate the ground. If you plant carefully and know what to choose, you can transform the wasted space above your septic tank drain field into a true thing of beauty.
