Planting over septic drainfield

» LongBarb - Planting over septic drainfield

I have read a bit about planing over the drainfield of a septic system. I was wondering if specifically anyone had experience with a groundcover called 'golden creeping jenny'. (aurea) Our home has not yet been built, but will be in a densely wooded area except for the drainfield area. We plan to landscape with alot of groundcover, mulch, and plants rather than grass and thought that possibly the creeping jenny and some azaleas would look nice over the septic drainfield area. Your opinion?

-- posted by LongBarb

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» jerrib - Re: Planting over septic drainfield

In response to message posted by LongBarb:

I live in western WA and haven't had much luck with Creeping Jenny. I suspect it needs lots more water than I give it. Vinca, however, spreads with a passion and is a fine ground cover.

-- posted by jerrib

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» Georgene A. Bramlage - Re: Planting over septic drainfield

In response to message posted by LongBarb:
Sorry to take so long in responding..I need to get that laptop computer to take on the road. My yard is in western MA and I am very familiar with septic systems and leach fields. Lyschimachia nummularia, "Creeping Jenny", whether the golden variety or the "original" does need a bit of shade and rich, moist soil. I have the "original" between stepping stones leading to my front door where it is lovely both in and out of bloom. This location is east-facing and protected from hot afternoon sun.
One option for you, if you don't have community regulations against such, is to research and try a sun-loving wild-flower mix. I've seen this done successfully in several places. The soil on top of the leach field needs to bepreparedd as though you were preparing for a lawn, otherwise the results will be very disappointing. One thing to remember is that watering on top of a leach field defeated the function of water evaporation from the field.
There is grass and thyme over our leach field and each August the whole goes brown; in autumn, it greens up again. Hope this helps.

-- posted by Georgene A. Bramlage

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