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Sand is a common sublayer for hardscape features like driveways, paver patios, and more. Most projects that involve sand require a 1-inch layer to promote evenness, drainage, and weight distribution. For further drainage, most projects have a 6-inch minimum layer of gravel beneath the sand. 

You should exercise care when deciding how to landscape over a leach field for your septic system. You typically want lightweight materials that won’t damage the drain field’s perforated pipes. When adding plants to the area, select plants with shallow roots, such as grass or flower gardens. Trees with deep roots could damage the pipes in the field.

First, dig a hole that’s the same depth as the root ball and wide enough for the roots to spread out fully. Before placing the tree in the hole, pour water in to help get rid of any air pockets in the soil.

When filling the hole back in, opt for a 1:1 ratio of organic compost with the soil left over from the ground. Do not use potting soil, fertilizer, or chemicals of any kind, as these can stress out and kill your newly planted tree.

While you don’t need to put anything down before mulch, you can apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weed growth. As long as you remove weeds before you spread mulch, you should be in the clear. But a herbicide is something that you can put down before mulch as an extra layer of protection.