It's time to dust off the garden hoe, dig out some graph paper and decide which plants to order from the nursery catalog. A yard full of shade trees, colorful flowers and lush shrubbery is visually pleasing for any homeowner. But a plain green septic mound rising up in the middle of the yard can truly spoil the scenery. Careful landscape planning is important to avoid harming the septic mound. Trees and shrubs with extensive root systems can interfere with or even damage the mound distribution system.
Proper vegetation can help keep the mound intact by preventing erosion.
The first thing to consider is the visual line the eye follows when looking around the yard. A patio or deck is often surrounded by lawn and the curve of vegetation along the outer border of the yard. The septic mound can be incorporated into the bed line with careful placement of vegetation. The goal is to disguise the mound or have it blend in with surrounding vegetation. Mary Meyer, a University of Minnesota Extension Service horticulturist, suggests thinking of the mound as a landscaping berm.