Well, NUTS! (not quite as scorching as the first to come to mind). I just don't know what to do in this "problem area". This is the same area where you were helping me with my "Disguise the Septic Tank" issue (and the bland, ugly end of my house that's the first part of it seen)!!!. AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH! Now that I have that out of my system (lol)... I guess the first thing I need to do is move the daylillies, huh? How far away from the tank do they need to be? What about the others listed (I also have snapdragons that I forgot to mention in this post)? As for the fescue, it's not really my intention to have a "lawn" in this area. I'm using it to help choke out the broadleaf weeds, break up the clay & add organic material when it dies. It was a relatively inexpensive way to get results quickly. That was my thinking, anyway. I've been thinking about checking out some Xeriscape stuff so that I don't have to water much. But then, I don't know if the truly drought tolerant stuff will help prevent erosion, or worse, will they seek out the tanks? Other than the grass, I can move everything else I have planted if I have to. The area is clay, but it's also one of the few places on our property that actually gets a good amount of sun. It IS convenient to water there, and when it does rain that area get's a lot of it, but I don't HAVE TO have moisture lovers there. Ultimately, I really want something somewhat TALL in this area because it's just so... ICKY. The tanks & all their stuff are there & the house itself is just BLAH (the plain end of a single-wide mobile home. There, I said it! Yup, we're trailer trash - lol). Of course, my MAIN concern is the roots getting into the tanks & the wires. It's SO DIFFICULT to find info on what a plants roots are going to do. That's the main reason I'm thinking pots/containers... for THIS area (of course, I'd prefer ones that are relatively managable IF we ever have to move them, but that's not a major concern). I'm not as concerned about plopping things in the ground in other areas... unless they are invasive. So... ALL that being said, are you still recommending the Sedum? What are your thoughts on the lavender & rosemary -will they serve my purpose & do well here? What other suggestions do you have for a "disguise" (tall, wide, etc)? THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I'm off to research versailles planters. - Mari

no, the inspector would not know. i would suggest you call and arrange a a meeting between you, the inspector, and your contractor. tell the inspector the contractor and you disagree on whether this matters or not. regardless of how this goes, it is going to cost YOU money. either you have to tear down the deck and be out what you owed the contractor for it, or you have ot pull up and move the tank and be out this cost. like i said earlier, if the contractor hit the tank when digging the posts he knew it was there, and that is your ONLY hope of laying blame off on him. if you tank is deeper than the posts go and he did not hit it, then he had a reasonable expectation of the tank not being there just like you and the inspector. in my area the tank HAS to go where the drawing shows. the health dept tells you where on your land you can put it and then you build your house around that. i have seen people who had a choice of build the house sideways or build a different house because the health dept told them there was only 1 place they could put the tank.

Cristina - Start by trying to find where your septic drain field is located and at what depth. Possibly, on an old survey or plat you received when you bought the house. You don't want to avoid planting near the patio to build an island bed in the drain field. That being said often the leach lines are down deep enough most shrubs will not cause any issues. Being in zone 5 the leach lines should be at least below frost line and probably a little deeper (4’-6’ is typical). There is also typically a setback from the property line for the drain field. A planting bed along the property line would help to provide privacy to the patio and deck. Junipers are a good choice for privacy. Green giant arborvitaes are also a good option (grow a little faster and typically more affordable). Also many other options for this space. I still like the idea of creating a couple planting beds around the patio to help define the space. Using flowering shrubs and perennials to add some color. Creating a master plan for your yard is a great way to start, it allows you to install in phases while working towards your final design. Best, Dean

The red light does look like a septic warning light. In my area (NC), the town sewer pump stations do not have a red light but any personal septic pumps do. I second the call to the health department. Does the MLS (if there was one) say septic or sewer? Your location might help because you might find people from your area that know exactly what that is.