What Can You Plant Over Underground Utilities? (A Guide to Safe and Suitable Plants)

What Can I Plant Over Underground Utilities?

Your home’s underground utilities are essential for providing you with water, electricity, and gas. But what happens when you want to landscape your yard or garden? Can you plant trees or shrubs over your underground utilities?

The answer is: it depends.

In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of underground utilities, the risks associated with planting over them, and the best plants to choose for your landscape.

We’ll also provide tips on how to properly plant and maintain your plants so that you can enjoy a beautiful yard without compromising the safety of your underground utilities.

Plant	Size	Notes
Daylily	1-2 feet tall	Drought-tolerant and blooms in late summer.
Lavender	1-2 feet tall	Attracts pollinators and blooms in early summer.
Clover	4-6 inches tall	Drought-tolerant and blooms in spring.
Moss	1-2 inches tall	Low-maintenance and provides ground cover.

Underground utilities are an essential part of our modern infrastructure, providing us with water, sewer, electricity, gas, and telecommunications. However, these utilities can also be a challenge for gardeners, as they can limit the types of plants that can be grown in a given area.

This guide will help you understand the different types of underground utilities, the considerations you need to make when planting over them, and the types of plants that are best suited for these areas.

Types of Underground Utilities

There are five main types of underground utilities:

• Water mains deliver water to homes and businesses. They are typically made of metal or plastic and are buried at a depth of 3 to 4 feet.
• Sewer lines carry wastewater away from homes and businesses. They are typically made of concrete or clay and are buried at a depth of 4 to 6 feet.
• Electric cables provide power to homes and businesses. They are typically made of copper or aluminum and are buried at a depth of 2 to 3 feet.
• Gas lines deliver natural gas to homes and businesses. They are typically made of steel or plastic and are buried at a depth of 2 to 4 feet.
• Telecom cables carry telephone, internet, and cable television signals. They are typically made of copper or fiber optic cable and are buried at a depth of 1 to 2 feet.

Considerations for Planting Over Underground Utilities

When planting over underground utilities, there are a few things you need to keep in mind:

• Depth of the utilities. The depth of the utilities will determine the types of plants that you can grow. Plants with shallow roots, such as groundcovers and annuals, can be grown over utilities that are buried shallowly. Plants with deep roots, such as trees and shrubs, should not be planted over utilities, as their roots could damage the utilities.
• Size of the utilities. The size of the utilities will also determine the types of plants that you can grow. Plants with small root balls, such as seedlings and small shrubs, can be grown over small utilities. Plants with large root balls, such as large trees and shrubs, should not be planted over large utilities, as their roots could damage the utilities.
• Type of soil. The type of soil will also affect the types of plants that you can grow. Sandy soils are well-drained and allow roots to spread easily, making them ideal for planting over utilities. Clay soils are less well-drained and can compact, making it difficult for roots to spread, so they are not ideal for planting over utilities.
• Root growth of the plants. The root growth of the plants will also affect the types of plants that you can grow. Plants with aggressive root growth, such as trees and shrubs, should not be planted over utilities, as their roots could damage the utilities. Plants with less aggressive root growth, such as groundcovers and annuals, can be grown over utilities without damaging them.

Types of Plants for Planting Over Underground Utilities

There are a number of plants that are well-suited for planting over underground utilities. These plants have shallow roots, small root balls, and do not have aggressive root growth. Some of the best plants for planting over underground utilities include:

• Groundcovers, such as creeping thyme, vinca, and pachysandra, are ideal for planting over underground utilities. They have shallow roots that do not damage the utilities, and they provide a lush, green carpet of foliage.
• Annuals, such as marigolds, petunias, and sunflowers, are also good choices for planting over underground utilities. They have small root balls that do not damage the utilities, and they add a pop of color to the landscape.
• Shrubs, such as boxwood, privet, and holly, can be planted over small utilities. They have shallow roots that do not damage the utilities, and they provide year-round interest.

By following these tips, you can successfully plant over underground utilities without damaging them. By choosing the right plants and taking into account the depth, size, and type of soil, you can create a beautiful landscape that also protects your underground utilities.

3. Plants That Can Be Planted Over Underground Utilities

There are a variety of plants that can be planted over underground utilities, including grasses, groundcovers, shrubs, and trees.

Grasses

Grasses are a good option for planting over underground utilities because they are low-maintenance and tolerant of a variety of conditions. Some good choices for grasses include:

• Kentucky bluegrass
• Zoysia grass
• Bermuda grass
• St. Augustine grass

Groundcovers

Groundcovers are another good option for planting over underground utilities because they spread out and cover the ground, helping to prevent weeds from growing. Some good choices for groundcovers include:

• Ivy
• Creeping thyme
• Vinca
• Pachysandra

Shrubs

Shrubs can also be planted over underground utilities, but it is important to choose shrubs that are not too large and that will not damage the utilities. Some good choices for shrubs include:

• Boxwood
• Rosemary
• Lavender
• Abelia

Trees

Trees can be planted over underground utilities, but it is important to choose trees that are not too large and that will not damage the utilities. Some good choices for trees include:

• Japanese maple
• Dogwood
• Flowering crabapple
• Serviceberry

4. Tips for Planting Over Underground Utilities

When planting over underground utilities, it is important to take some precautions to avoid damaging the utilities. Here are some tips for planting over underground utilities:

• Do your research before planting. Make sure you know where the underground utilities are located before you start planting.
• Choose the right plants for your location. Make sure you choose plants that are tolerant of the conditions in your area.
• Plant the plants at the correct depth. The roots of the plants should not be touching the underground utilities.
• Water the plants regularly. Make sure the plants are getting enough water to establish a strong root system.

By following these tips, you can safely plant over underground utilities and enjoy the beauty of your landscape without worrying about damaging the utilities.

There are a variety of plants that can be planted over underground utilities, including grasses, groundcovers, shrubs, and trees. By following the tips in this article, you can safely plant over underground utilities and enjoy the beauty of your landscape without worrying about damaging the utilities.

What Can I Plant Over Underground Utilities?

• Trees are not recommended because their roots can grow deep and damage the utilities.
• Shrubs and perennials are good options, as their roots are less likely to cause damage.
• Annuals can also be planted, but they will need to be replaced every year.
• When choosing plants, it is important to consider the size and spread of the mature plant, as well as the type of soil and sunlight conditions in the planting area.
• It is also important to make sure that the plants are not poisonous to children or pets.

How Far Should I Plant From Underground Utilities?

The best practice is to plant at least 3 feet away from underground utilities. This will help to protect the utilities from damage and will also give the plants enough space to grow.

What If I Already Have Plants Over Underground Utilities?

If you already have plants growing over underground utilities, it is important to monitor them for signs of damage. If you see any roots that are growing near or into the utilities, you should carefully prune them back. You should also avoid watering the plants too much, as this can encourage the roots to grow deeper.

What Plants Are Best for Planting Over Underground Utilities?

Some good options for planting over underground utilities include:

• Shrubs:
• Azaleas
• Rhododendrons
• Roses
• Hydrangeas
• Perennials:
• Daylilies
• Peonies
• Hostas
• Iris
• Annuals:
• Petunias
• Zinnias
• Marigolds
• Cosmos

How Do I Care for Plants Over Underground Utilities?

When caring for plants over underground utilities, it is important to:

• Water the plants deeply and infrequently.
• Mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and keep the roots cool.
• Fertilize the plants according to the package directions.
• Prune the plants as needed to maintain a healthy shape.
• Monitor the plants for signs of damage and treat any problems as soon as possible.

  there are many plants that can be safely planted over underground utilities. By choosing the right plants, you can create a beautiful landscape that also helps to protect your home’s infrastructure. Be sure to do your research before planting, and always follow the instructions of your local utility company.