Dry grass over septic tank

[GaryM]

I have noticed that the grass over my septic system yellows and dries in a perfect outline of the tank itself. Google searches have explained why this usually happens. I was wondering if it is possible to dig the soil out from over the tank, cover the top with an insulation, say polystyrene tiles or something, then replace the soil?

Would this be detrimental to the tank in any way? I have about 6 inches of soil over the tank and the ky. blue grass fares worst, per expectations. The p. rye and fine fescue seem to do better. I suppose the other alternative is to over seed with this seed exclusively.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Gary

[Ann]

GaryM expounded:

6" in actually way too shallow. What I'd do is put four more inches on it. That won't harm anything; my sister had the same problem, adding additional loam and reseeding solved the problem.

[GaryM]

Ann wrote in news: [e-mail]:

Thanks Ann. The trouble is to do that requires a significant area to be raised too as the tank is in the middle of flat area of lawn.

Hence my search for another solution.

Gary

[Sunflower]

The reason it's drying out is there isn't enough soil over it for the roots of the grass to go deep and remain hydrated. The solution would be to add more soil if you want grass to grow there well. Or, add enough soil to make it a decorative planter berm ,or leave it alone and plant xeric plants. Making the soil even more shallow there for it to dry out even faster will only result in your grass going dead faster.

[Ann]

GaryM expounded:

I hear ya, Gary, but there really isn't any way around it, my sister and her husband had to replace their lawn because of it...luckily it wasn't much of a lawn anyways. Typical contractor job over bank gravel, 6" just wasn't going to cut it anyways. Good luck with it.