Landscaping when you have a septic system requires special care. Since your yard is where wastewater is treated, a landscape design should not interfere with the natural functioning of your septic system. A balanced combination of oxygen and organisms will maintain healthy soils necessary for your septic system.

1. Get a copy of the as-built
   An as-built is a drawing of your septic system in relation to your house and property boundaries. Your septic system designer completes the as-built after the septic system is installed. Public Health keeps as-built drawings on file as public information. You can request Public Health to search their records for your septic system. NOTE: Not all records are complete and older septic systems may not have as-builts. See full instructions on ordering your as-built drawings.
   
   
2. Locate the septic tank, drainfield and reserve area using the as-built
   Avoid landscaping on or near the septic tank. Consider installing "risers" or septic tank lids to make septic tank pumping and monitoring visits easier and less time-consuming.

   The septic tank, drainfield and reserve area should be clear of:

• underground sprinkler lines
• decks, patios, sports courts, or utility storage sheds
• swingsets
• sand boxes
• paved or dirt driveways
• parked vehicles

3. Begin the landscape design
   After locating the septic tank, drainfield and reserve area, you may now begin the design phase. Keep the tips in Step 2 in mind.

   Planting tips:

• Don't plant a vegetable garden on or near the drainfield or reserve area
• Plants over the septic system may be disturbed or destroyed with repair work
• Don't put plastic sheets, bark, gravel or other fill over the drainfield or reserve area
• Don't reshape or fill the ground surface over the drainfield and reserve area (just adding topsoil is generally OK as long as it doesn't exceed a couple of inches over the drainfield area)
• Grass or the existing native vegetation are the best covers for your drainfield and reserve area
• Direct all surface drainage areas away from the septic system
• Use shallow-rooted plants (see Plant List below)
• Avoid water-loving plants and trees
• Do not make ponds on or near the septic system and the reserve area
• Grass:
  • Fescue
  • Lawn
  • Ornamental grasses
  • Wildflower meadow mixes
    
    
• Groundcovers for sun:
  • Bugleweed (Ajuga)
  • Carpet heathers (Calluga)
  • Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster)
  • Ground Ivy (Glechonma)
  • Kinnickinick (Arctostapylos)
  • Periwinkle (Vinca)
  • Soapwort (Saponaria)
    
    
• Groundcovers for shade:
  • Bunchberry (Cornus)
  • Chameleon (Houtuynnia)
  • Ferns
  • Mosses
  • Sweet Woodruff (Galium)
  • Wild Ginder (Asarum)
  • Wintergreen (Gaultheria)