Is Your Garden Killing Your Septic System?
You want your yard to look beautiful. You want lush green grass, colorful flowers, and maybe a few shade trees to block the afternoon sun.
But if you live in Lackawaxen, PA, or the surrounding Pike County area, there is a good chance you have a septic system underground. And if you aren’t careful, your landscaping choices could be slowly destroying it.
It happens more often than you think. A homeowner plants a beautiful weeping willow or a row of fast-growing shrubs for privacy. Five years later, their toilets are backing up, and they are facing a massive repair bill because roots have crushed their leach field pipes.
At Triple J Services, we specialize in fixing these problems. From Leach Field Repair to High-Pressure Drain Jetting, we have seen the damage aggressive roots can do.
This guide will help you create a stunning landscape that is safe for your septic system—and tell you exactly what to avoid.
The Golden Rule: Shallow Roots Only
To understand what to plant, you have to understand how your system works.
Your “leach field” (also known as a drain field or turkey mound) relies on perforated pipes buried in gravel and soil. These pipes release treated wastewater into the ground.
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The Danger: If you plant deep-rooted vegetation, those roots will seek out water. Your septic pipes are full of water and nutrients (fertilizer). It is a magnet for hungry roots.
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The Result: Roots grow into the tiny holes in the pipes, clogging them and eventually breaking them apart.
The Solution: Stick to plants with herbaceous, shallow root systems that won’t dive deep enough to reach your pipes.
What to Plant: The “Safe List”
If you want to dress up your turkey mound or the area around your tank lids, choose these septic-safe options suitable for our Pennsylvania climate.
1. Turf Grass (The Best Option)
It might seem boring, but grass is the absolute best cover for a septic field.
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Why: It has a dense, shallow root system that holds soil in place (preventing erosion) without threatening pipes.
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Maintenance: It is easy to mow and keep clean.
2. Perennial Flowers
You can safely plant shallow-rooted flowering perennials to add color without the risk.
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Daylilies: Tough, colorful, and safe.
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Peonies: They provide beautiful blooms with non-invasive roots.
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Bee Balm: A great native option that attracts pollinators.
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Coneflowers (Echinacea): Drought tolerant and safe for drain fields.
3. Ground Covers
If you have a slope or just hate mowing, ground covers are a great alternative.
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Creeping Phlox: Creates a carpet of color in the spring.
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Pachysandra: Excellent for shady areas near the tank (but keep it off the mound itself if possible to allow for evaporation).
What to Avoid: The “Danger List”
These plants are the enemies of your septic system. They have aggressive, water-seeking roots that can travel over 50 feet to find a water source.
Never plant these within 30–50 feet of your septic tank or leach field:
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Weeping Willows: The #1 worst tree for septic systems. Their roots are incredibly aggressive.
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Maples (Silver and Red): Beautiful trees, but their roots are surface-feeders that will invade pipes.
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Birch Trees: Thirsty trees that will hunt down your effluent lines.
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Elm Trees: Known for clogging sewer and septic lines.
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Large Shrubs: Avoid Boxwoods, Hollies, or Arborvitae directly over the system.
A good rule of thumb: Look at the eventual height of the tree. The roots will likely spread out at least that far underground. If a tree will grow 40 feet tall, keep it 40 feet away from your septic system.
Hardscaping Dos and Don’ts
It isn’t just plants. How you build over your system matters too.
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DON’T cover the field with plastic: Your drain field needs to “breathe.” Oxygen helps break down the waste. Plastic mulch or heavy weed barriers suffocate the system.
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DON’T build structures: Never build a shed, deck, or driveway over your tank or field. The weight can crush the pipes and compact the soil.
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DON’T add heavy mulch: A thin layer is fine, but feet of mulch will retain too much moisture and prevent the soil from treating the wastewater.
Signs You Already Have Root Intrusion
Did you inherit a property with big trees near the septic system? Watch out for these warning signs:
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Slow Drains: If all your sinks and tubs are draining slowly, the main line might be choked by roots.
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Gurgling Noises: If the toilet bubbles when you run the shower, air is trapped in the line.
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Wet Spots: If you see soggy patches of grass above your leach field, the water isn’t draining—it’s being forced up to the surface.
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Alarms Going Off: If you have a pump system, roots can wrap around the float switches, causing your Grinder Pump or Effluent Pump to fail.
How Triple J Services Can Save Your Yard
If you suspect roots have invaded your system, or if you need to clear land for a new installation, you need the local experts.
Triple J Services offers the specialized solutions you need:
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Septic System Inspections: We can use cameras to look inside your pipes and see if roots are breaking through.
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High-Pressure Drain Jetting (Hydro-Jetting): If roots are just starting to get in, we can blast them away with high-pressure water, clearing the line without digging.
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Excavation & Repair: If the damage is severe, we have the heavy equipment to dig up the compromised lines and perform a Leach Field Repair or complete Septic System Replacement.
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French Drains & Drainage Solutions: Sometimes the issue is just too much water. We can install drainage to divert rainwater away from your leach field, protecting it from saturation.
Don’t Wait for the Backup
Your septic system is the most expensive appliance in your home. Don’t let a $50 tree ruin a $20,000 system.
If you are unsure about your landscaping, or if you are already seeing signs of trouble, call us. We are Lackawaxen’s trusted resource for all things septic.
Call Triple J Services today at (845) 750-5222.
Let us help you keep your yard green and your pipes clean.
If there is any question always call the experts at Triple J Services.
People Also Ask (PAA) for Septic System Landscaping
1. Can I plant a vegetable garden over my septic leach field? No, you should not plant vegetables over a septic leach field. There is a risk of bacterial contamination from the soil to the edible parts of the plants, especially root vegetables and leafy greens. Additionally, the frequent watering required for vegetables can saturate the drain field, preventing it from treating wastewater effectively.
2. What is the best ground cover for a septic mound in Pennsylvania? Turf grass is the best ground cover for septic mounds in Pennsylvania because its shallow root system holds soil in place without damaging pipes. For a low-maintenance alternative, consider shallow-rooted perennials like creeping phlox, daylilies, or coneflowers(Echinacea), which thrive in the local climate and aid in evaporation.
3. How far should trees be planted from a septic system? A general rule of thumb is to plant trees at least as far away from the septic system as the tree’s estimated mature height. For example, if a tree will grow 40 feet tall, plant it at least 40 feet away. aggressive water-seeking trees like weeping willows and silver maples should be kept at least 100 feet away.
4. Can I put raised garden beds over my septic drain field? No, you should not build raised garden beds over a septic drain field or turkey mound. The weight of the added soil and framing can compact the ground, crushing pipes. Furthermore, the extra soil depth inhibits the natural evaporation process that is essential for the system to function.
5. Is it safe to put mulch on top of a septic tank? You can place a thin layer of mulch (2-3 inches) over a septic tank or drain field to prevent erosion, but avoid thick layers. Excessive mulch holds too much moisture in the soil, preventing the system from “breathing.” Never use plastic weed barriers under the mulch, as they block oxygen from reaching the soil bacteria.
6. Which trees are the worst for septic systems? The most dangerous trees for septic systems are those with aggressive, water-seeking root systems. In Pennsylvania, homeowners should specifically avoid planting weeping willows, river birch, elm, red maple, and silver maple near their tanks or leach fields, as these roots can travel long distances to invade pipes.
7. Can I drive a riding mower over my septic leach field? Yes, you can generally drive a standard residential riding mower over a septic leach field. However, you should avoid driving heavy machinery, trucks, or tractors over the area, as this can compact the soil and crush the underground pipes. Avoid mowing when the ground is soggy to prevent rutting.
8. How do I know if tree roots are clogging my septic pipes? Signs of root intrusion include slow-draining sinks and showers, gurgling sounds from the toilet, or wet, soggy patches of ground near trees. If you suspect roots have entered your lines, contact a professional like Triple J Services for a camera inspection or high-pressure hydro-jetting to clear the blockage.
9. Can I plant wildflowers on my septic turkey mound? Yes, wildflowers are an excellent choice for septic turkey mounds. Native Pennsylvania wildflowers like black-eyed Susans, bee balm, and butterfly weed have fibrous, shallow root systems that prevent erosion and absorb moisture without damaging the underground pipes.
10. Why is the grass greener over my septic tank? If the grass is significantly greener or taller over your septic tank or leach field, it may indicate a problem. While a little extra growth is normal due to nutrients, lush or spongy grass often signals that the system is failing to drain properly, forcing wastewater up to the surface.
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