Growing grass should be just about the easiest thing you can do. Most of the time, all you have to do is wait, and nature takes care of itself. But grass doesn’t grow the same everywhere, and it often needs help in some tricky places. If you’ve just put in a new septic tank or if your drain field could use some more green, here’s some advice for growing new grass.
You Don’t Have to Grow New Grass
One of the easiest solutions to covering up bald spots on your lawn is to simply buy some sod, cut it to shape, and lay it down. This is more practical if your yard just saw a lot of digging to install a new septic system and drain pipes. This is also the fastest method, but it requires some work to do it well.
Ask around at your local hardware store or wherever you get your sod about what kind of sod to get, how to lay it down, and be sure to take note of watering and fertilizing advice.
How Grow New Grass on a Drain Field
Growing new grass means buying grass seed at the very least. Even if you have leftover seed from a previous project, you need to make sure you have a shady mix for a shady area, and a sunny mix for a sunny area. You can even buy seed that comes with a fertilizer coating and bits of protective material that works sort of like straw to keep seeds moist.
You may also want straw, but be sure not to apply too much. Straw keeps seed from blowing away, and is a clear sign to passersby that new grass is coming soon. If your septic system is brand new, you will probably have to water the growing grass yourself, and many times a day. If you’re repairing a failing lawn over a septic drain field, you may find the soil is plenty damp from the system’s effluent. If you find the soil is already damp, avoid overwatering it!
Why Grow New Grass Over a Drain Field?
Native grasses, weeds, and grass you plant yourself helps keep the soil of your drain field healthy. Without it, there’s nothing there to soak up and use the effluent that comes out of the buried drain pipes. Some green also keeps soil in place so it doesn’t erode away. Keep grass trimmed like you would anywhere else and make sure no large bushes or trees spring up, as their roots can damage your septic system.
Why is my Drain Field Grass Always Brown?
Grass should thrive on a drain field. If your drain field grass is brown, and numerous attempts to grow new grass continue to fail, call Maui Pumping right away. Your septic system may just need to be pumped, but bigger problems like damaged pipes or a failed septic system might be the underlying cause. Either way, Maui Pumping will help you solve the problem.
