Pacific Northwest Garden Forum: Landscaping sand filter mound

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AprilMayJune
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Joined: Feb-11-2007
Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor
Posts: 1

Topic: Landscaping sand filter mound
Posted: Feb-11-2007 at 10:33am

Hello:

I would like to somehow landscape my sand filter mound. Currently is has some type of lawn grass, which is doing poorly. Is there some other type of ground cover/grass which will do better?

My main goals are something that is attractive and low maintenance. The area gets sun all day.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thank you!

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DebbieTT
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Sunset zone 5, USDA zone 8

Joined: Jan-25-2003
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posts: 4241

Posted: Feb-11-2007 at 1:13pm

Something shallow rooted is what you want. Try any number of alpine plants.

Does your sand filter mound need good air circulation? I am trying to remember from the workshop I took if that is required? I see some people putting bark mulch over them, but if I remember right that is not such a good idea.

Kinnickinnik (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) would be a good ground cover and will quickly cover the mound. Maybe some small sedges like carex. I have a friend that grows wildflowers over hers. She over seeds it in spring after weeding it. Then chops it down in fall.

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silver_ creek
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Joined: Jan-08-2006
Location: Washington, Western Cascade Foothills
Posts: 653

Posted: Feb-11-2007 at 2:10pm

Sand septic mounds are great places for alpines. You can add rock (not solid paving) and gravel and grow quite a variety. We even terraced the sides and our septic mound has become a centerpiece of the garden.

Terry M.
Silver Creek Garden
Zone 8a, Sunset Zone 4

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mdvaden
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Joined: Jul-27-2003
Location: Oregon, Western
Posts: 748

Posted: Feb-11-2007 at 2:12pm

I wonder how well Japanese or Siberian Iris would do.

And the sedums that get rosy flowers, which become brown in winder.

Can you block it by landscaping in the front with Miscanthus?

Here's 3 photos of my own on this page...

Miscanthus

Miscanthus would need to be about 2' to 3' from the base of the mound.

If you know where the lines are at, you can bring shrubs and small trees in much closer than generally recommended, by using 30" deep root barrier panel in a trench. If it were me, I'd have small trees as close as 4' from the base of the mound, and just run a trench for the root barrier.

M.D. Vaden

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DebbieTT
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Sunset zone 5, USDA zone 8

Joined: Jan-25-2003
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posts: 4241

Posted: Feb-11-2007 at 4:16pm

Very beautiful Terry. You can't even tell it's a mound.

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mdvaden
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Joined: Jul-27-2003
Location: Oregon, Western
Posts: 748

Posted: Feb-11-2007 at 5:52pm

Shorter the better.

Roots probably should not be over a few inches deep on the mound, and its recommended that plants not be water "lovers".

Small plants are supposed to help the mound get rid of water, and any irrigation should be minimal in many cases.

M.D. Vaden

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GardenNut
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Joined: Sep-23-2003
Location: Washington, Western Cascade Foothills
Posts: 173

Posted: Feb-12-2007 at 10:29am

Say, are these suggestions for sand mounds only, or can they be applied to regular septic drainfields as well?

Absolutely georgeous, Terry!

Chris Sunset 4 USDA 8a

If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.
- Cicero

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silver_ creek
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Joined: Jan-08-2006
Location: Washington, Western Cascade Foothills
Posts: 653

Posted: Feb-12-2007 at 5:28pm

Ours is a raised sand septic drainfield, not pressurized but gravity fed. The landscaping is based what I learned about septic systems when taking a watershed masters course. There may be different considerations for the pumped systems. But this has worked very well for us and the septic system is now 26 years old.

Terry M.
Silver Creek Garden
Zone 8a, Sunset Zone 4

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mdvaden
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Joined: Jul-27-2003
Location: Oregon, Western
Posts: 748

Posted: Feb-12-2007 at 6:07pm

Silver Creeks mound landscaping looks like it follows the guidelines very well.

And it looks great, too.

M.D. Vaden

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Lisa A
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Joined: Aug-14-2003
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posts: 3243

Posted: Feb-13-2007 at 9:08pm

Stunning, Terry, simply stunning!

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silver_ creek
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Joined: Jan-08-2006
Location: Washington, Western Cascade Foothills
Posts: 653

Posted: Feb-14-2007 at 6:56am

The basics I learned in my class on septic mounds- they can be covered with up to 18" of soil, open rock and gravel, an mulches are okay, solid paving is not. Non-agressively rooted plants benefit the system; even veggies can be raised (tho it was recommended we stay away from root veggies unless in raised beds). The key is still allowing air exchange, and roots to help take up and disperse the effluent. With most of our 7 acres a heavy silt or clay loam, this was the only site we could put in an alpine garden; and it has worked very well.

Terry M.
Silver Creek Garden
Zone 8a, Sunset Zone 4

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DebbieTT
Admin Group

Sunset zone 5, USDA zone 8

Joined: Jan-25-2003
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posts: 4241

Posted: Feb-14-2007 at 9:12am

I will try to locate my notes, as there is one kind of system that you aren't supposed to do any mulching and add compost to the planting hole only.

On all the systems, shallow rooted plants are the only way to go. And next to systems you don't want to plant aggressive plants or trees. Shallow rooted plants such as rhododendrons can be planted close by.

Edited by DebbieTT - Feb-14-2007 at 9:12am

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DebbieTT
Admin Group

Sunset zone 5, USDA zone 8

Joined: Jan-25-2003
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posts: 4241

Posted: Feb-14-2007 at 9:22am

We did our workshop with the people from Tacoma. They asked for recommendations for plants and I don't know if they ever made the list for homeowners or not. But their site is helpful.

If you don't know what kind of system you have or where your lines are, it is important to get a copy of it from your county. When you landscape this will help you not make costly mistakes. Such as planting a willow to close.

Pdf file on landscaping your system

About your system that might be useful.

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Oldest Archived Posts 4 ( Forum Locked)
Pacific Northwest Garden Forum : The Archives : Oldest Archived Posts 4

Author	Message
AprilMayJune none Joined: Feb-11-2007 Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor Posts: 1	Topic: Landscaping sand filter mound Posted: Feb-11-2007 at 10:33am
	Hello: I would like to somehow landscape my sand filter mound. Currently is has some type of lawn grass, which is doing poorly. Is there some other type of ground cover/grass which will do better? My main goals are something that is attractive and low maintenance. The area gets sun all day. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thank you!

	IP Logged

DebbieTT Admin Group Sunset zone 5, USDA zone 8 Joined: Jan-25-2003 Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula Posts: 4241	Posted: Feb-11-2007 at 1:13pm
	Something shallow rooted is what you want. Try any number of alpine plants. Does your sand filter mound need good air circulation? I am trying to remember from the workshop I took if that is required? I see some people putting bark mulch over them, but if I remember right that is not such a good idea. Kinnickinnik (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) would be a good ground cover and will quickly cover the mound. Maybe some small sedges like carex. I have a friend that grows wildflowers over hers. She over seeds it in spring after weeding it. Then chops it down in fall.
	IP Logged

silver_ creek none Joined: Jan-08-2006 Location: Washington, Western Cascade Foothills Posts: 653	Posted: Feb-11-2007 at 2:10pm
	Sand septic mounds are great places for alpines. You can add rock (not solid paving) and gravel and grow quite a variety. We even terraced the sides and our septic mound has become a centerpiece of the garden.
	Terry M. Silver Creek Garden Zone 8a, Sunset Zone 4
	IP Logged

mdvaden none Joined: Jul-27-2003 Location: Oregon, Western Posts: 748	Posted: Feb-11-2007 at 2:12pm
	I wonder how well Japanese or Siberian Iris would do. And the sedums that get rosy flowers, which become brown in winder. Can you block it by landscaping in the front with Miscanthus? Here's 3 photos of my own on this page... Miscanthus Miscanthus would need to be about 2' to 3' from the base of the mound. If you know where the lines are at, you can bring shrubs and small trees in much closer than generally recommended, by using 30" deep root barrier panel in a trench. If it were me, I'd have small trees as close as 4' from the base of the mound, and just run a trench for the root barrier.
	M.D. Vaden
	IP Logged

DebbieTT Admin Group Sunset zone 5, USDA zone 8 Joined: Jan-25-2003 Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula Posts: 4241	Posted: Feb-11-2007 at 4:16pm
	Very beautiful Terry. You can't even tell it's a mound.
	IP Logged

mdvaden none Joined: Jul-27-2003 Location: Oregon, Western Posts: 748	Posted: Feb-11-2007 at 5:52pm
	Shorter the better. Roots probably should not be over a few inches deep on the mound, and its recommended that plants not be water "lovers". Small plants are supposed to help the mound get rid of water, and any irrigation should be minimal in many cases.
	M.D. Vaden
	IP Logged

GardenNut none Joined: Sep-23-2003 Location: Washington, Western Cascade Foothills Posts: 173	Posted: Feb-12-2007 at 10:29am
	Say, are these suggestions for sand mounds only, or can they be applied to regular septic drainfields as well? Absolutely georgeous, Terry!
	Chris Sunset 4 USDA 8a If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need. - Cicero
	IP Logged

silver_ creek none Joined: Jan-08-2006 Location: Washington, Western Cascade Foothills Posts: 653	Posted: Feb-12-2007 at 5:28pm
	Ours is a raised sand septic drainfield, not pressurized but gravity fed. The landscaping is based what I learned about septic systems when taking a watershed masters course. There may be different considerations for the pumped systems. But this has worked very well for us and the septic system is now 26 years old.
	Terry M. Silver Creek Garden Zone 8a, Sunset Zone 4
	IP Logged

mdvaden none Joined: Jul-27-2003 Location: Oregon, Western Posts: 748	Posted: Feb-12-2007 at 6:07pm
	Silver Creeks mound landscaping looks like it follows the guidelines very well. And it looks great, too.
	M.D. Vaden
	IP Logged

Lisa A none Joined: Aug-14-2003 Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro Posts: 3243	Posted: Feb-13-2007 at 9:08pm
	Stunning, Terry, simply stunning!
	IP Logged

silver_ creek none Joined: Jan-08-2006 Location: Washington, Western Cascade Foothills Posts: 653	Posted: Feb-14-2007 at 6:56am
	The basics I learned in my class on septic mounds- they can be covered with up to 18" of soil, open rock and gravel, an mulches are okay, solid paving is not. Non-agressively rooted plants benefit the system; even veggies can be raised (tho it was recommended we stay away from root veggies unless in raised beds). The key is still allowing air exchange, and roots to help take up and disperse the effluent. With most of our 7 acres a heavy silt or clay loam, this was the only site we could put in an alpine garden; and it has worked very well.
	Terry M. Silver Creek Garden Zone 8a, Sunset Zone 4
	IP Logged

DebbieTT Admin Group Sunset zone 5, USDA zone 8 Joined: Jan-25-2003 Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula Posts: 4241	Posted: Feb-14-2007 at 9:12am
	I will try to locate my notes, as there is one kind of system that you aren't supposed to do any mulching and add compost to the planting hole only. On all the systems, shallow rooted plants are the only way to go. And next to systems you don't want to plant aggressive plants or trees. Shallow rooted plants such as rhododendrons can be planted close by. Edited by DebbieTT - Feb-14-2007 at 9:12am
	IP Logged

DebbieTT Admin Group Sunset zone 5, USDA zone 8 Joined: Jan-25-2003 Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula Posts: 4241	Posted: Feb-14-2007 at 9:22am
	We did our workshop with the people from Tacoma. They asked for recommendations for plants and I don't know if they ever made the list for homeowners or not. But their site is helpful. If you don't know what kind of system you have or where your lines are, it is important to get a copy of it from your county. When you landscape this will help you not make costly mistakes. Such as planting a willow to close. Pdf file on landscaping your system About your system that might be useful.
	IP Logged

Topic: Landscaping sand filter mound( Topic Closed)