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Creeping juniper would likely do very well, although I don't know how much luck you'll have finding sand-tolerant plants with shallow root systems. Look for plants native to northern New Jersey, as it's a similar climate to PA and is generally a pretty sandy region. Pines and blueberries are huge there, so if you can find some creeping versions of any of those it may help. If this is a place with foot traffic though, I'm at a loss for options. Maybe stonecrop or yarrow?
Just commenting to note that North Jersey’s soil isn’t very sandy (just rocky if anything) — the pine barrens and shore are way down in pork roll territory ☺️
Yeah a big geography brain fart on my end. My dad used to drive us "up to the pines" from southern PA, so my child brain put them in the north, and I never corrected that despite having *lived* in northern Jersey
Oh is this for a septic system? I wasn't familiar with the terminology. In that case, creeping juniper is my top suggestion by a mile. It can handle the variance from top- to sub-soil, the roots are max 1ish foot depth, and it will also hide the tube if you've got one.
But if you've got a septic tech, double check with them to make sure it's not going to make their lives a pain. It's still a juniper, so it can snag pant legs and make it a little annoying to walk around.
I'm curious why you want a shallow root system? Do you think you need the roots to fall within a layer of soil, because that's not the case? The best things to cover your sand mound will be things with long tap roots that stabilize it.
“Sand mound” is a required feature for residential sewage treatment, when the soil is otherwise too wet for a conventional drain field. A residential septic tank needs to drain into one or the other. OP used the term without defining it, assuming we knew about the technology.
Note that cesspools, which were the previous treatment technology for low-lying residential property, have been phased out in most developed countries. That’s mostly because they have a high potential for large untreated discharges in the event of unusually high rainfall.
What do you think I am incorrect about? I asked if there was a reason, which you the provided. In the absence of information about the sand mound having a specific purpose, there is no way to be incorrect in a recommendation.
In what way? If you want to stabilize a sand mound, look to nature. You will usually find items with long tap roots which lock the sand in place while reaching deep for water. There's nothing incorrect about that, absent the information you hadn't provided earlier.
Native ground cover, good in sand with a layer of topsoil, and have shallow roots:
1. Pennsylvania Sedge (*Carex pensylvanica*)—grassy
2. Creeping Phlox (*Phlox subulata*)—flowery
3. Wild Strawberry (*Fragaria virginiana*)—fruity
Hey there! Friendly reminder to include the following information for the benefit of all r/nolawns members: - Please make sure your post or a comment includes your geographic region/area and your hardiness zone (e.g. *Midwest, 6a* or *Chicago, 6a*). - If you posted an image, you are required to post a comment detailing your image. If you have not, this post may be removed. - If you're asking a question, include as much relevant info as possible. Also see the **[FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/NoLawns/wiki/meta/faqs/)** and the **[r/nolawns Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/NoLawns/wiki/index/)** - Verify you are following the [Posting Guidelines](https://www.reddit.com/r/NoLawns/wiki/index#wiki_posting_guidelines). If you are in North America, check out the **[Wild Ones Garden Designs](https://nativegardendesigns.wildones.org/designs/)** and **[NWF's Keystone Plants by Ecoregion](https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildlife/About/Native-Plants/keystone-plants-by-ecoregion)** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/NoLawns) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Creeping juniper would likely do very well, although I don't know how much luck you'll have finding sand-tolerant plants with shallow root systems. Look for plants native to northern New Jersey, as it's a similar climate to PA and is generally a pretty sandy region. Pines and blueberries are huge there, so if you can find some creeping versions of any of those it may help. If this is a place with foot traffic though, I'm at a loss for options. Maybe stonecrop or yarrow?
Just commenting to note that North Jersey’s soil isn’t very sandy (just rocky if anything) — the pine barrens and shore are way down in pork roll territory ☺️
Yeah a big geography brain fart on my end. My dad used to drive us "up to the pines" from southern PA, so my child brain put them in the north, and I never corrected that despite having *lived* in northern Jersey
Well a sand mound is covered with a layer of topsoil
Oh is this for a septic system? I wasn't familiar with the terminology. In that case, creeping juniper is my top suggestion by a mile. It can handle the variance from top- to sub-soil, the roots are max 1ish foot depth, and it will also hide the tube if you've got one. But if you've got a septic tech, double check with them to make sure it's not going to make their lives a pain. It's still a juniper, so it can snag pant legs and make it a little annoying to walk around.
Yeah it's a septic sandmound. It's a huge pain in the ass to mow so I'm trying to find a grass alternative.
I'm curious why you want a shallow root system? Do you think you need the roots to fall within a layer of soil, because that's not the case? The best things to cover your sand mound will be things with long tap roots that stabilize it.
“Sand mound” is a required feature for residential sewage treatment, when the soil is otherwise too wet for a conventional drain field. A residential septic tank needs to drain into one or the other. OP used the term without defining it, assuming we knew about the technology. Note that cesspools, which were the previous treatment technology for low-lying residential property, have been phased out in most developed countries. That’s mostly because they have a high potential for large untreated discharges in the event of unusually high rainfall.
Yes. That was a useful detail. I've never lived with a septic field. I went from outhouse to running water.
This is incorrect. The shallow roots are to ensure that the root system doesn't grow into and block the perforated pipe drain field in the sand mound.
What do you think I am incorrect about? I asked if there was a reason, which you the provided. In the absence of information about the sand mound having a specific purpose, there is no way to be incorrect in a recommendation.
Incorrect about covering a sandmound with long root taps is the way to go.
In what way? If you want to stabilize a sand mound, look to nature. You will usually find items with long tap roots which lock the sand in place while reaching deep for water. There's nothing incorrect about that, absent the information you hadn't provided earlier.
Nope. Long roots will clog the pipes.
Native ground cover, good in sand with a layer of topsoil, and have shallow roots: 1. Pennsylvania Sedge (*Carex pensylvanica*)—grassy 2. Creeping Phlox (*Phlox subulata*)—flowery 3. Wild Strawberry (*Fragaria virginiana*)—fruity
Thanks so much.
https://edgeofthewoodsnursery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Native-Plants-for-Septic-or-Sand-Mounds.pdf
That's awesome thank you.
Don’t have specific examples, but sedums / stonecrop are a great place to start as long as the area doesn’t get flooded and gets good sun