I tried edging with those cheap plastic borders, but they just popped out after a couple of freeze-thaw cycles.
Those plastic borders are basically useless once winter hits—total waste of money in my experience. I switched to crushed concrete last year and it’s held up way better than gravel ever did. It’s not perfect, but at least it doesn’t migrate every time it rains. As for the mushrooms, I get them too after a big storm. I think it’s just the combo of moisture and organic matter in the leach field, not necessarily a septic issue. Still, I’d rather have mushrooms than chasing gravel down the driveway...
Crushed concrete is underrated, honestly. I've tried the fancy “eco” borders and they just end up in the compost pile after a season or two. The freeze-thaw here just destroys anything flimsy. With the leach field, mushrooms are kind of a given—nature loves those moist, nutrient-rich spots. I used to stress about it, but now I just rake them up if they get out of hand.
Couple things that helped me:
- Swapped out all plastic for stone or recycled brick edging. More upfront work, but zero regrets.
- For mushroom control, I keep grass cut short and avoid adding any extra mulch near the field.
- If you’re worried about septic issues, check for soggy patches or weird smells. Mushrooms alone usually aren’t a red flag.
Honestly, chasing gravel is the worst. I still find pieces in the lawnmower sometimes... but at least with concrete, it mostly stays put.
CRUSHED CONCRETE VS. GRAVEL: MY TAKE
I hear you on the gravel—those little rocks end up everywhere. I switched to crushed concrete last year and it’s been way less of a headache. Here’s what worked for me:
1. Lay down landscape fabric first. It keeps the concrete from sinking into the soil and mixing with dirt.
2. Compact the base layer really well. I rented a plate compactor for a day—worth every penny.
3. Top off with a finer layer for a smoother finish. It settles in nicely and doesn’t migrate as much as gravel.
I still get a few mushrooms after heavy rain, but like you said, they’re not usually a problem unless there’s a weird smell or standing water. The only thing I’d add is to check your gutters—sometimes runoff can make the leach field wetter than it needs to be. Learned that the hard way...
That’s a solid rundown. I did the same switch a couple years back and honestly, crushed concrete’s been way easier to deal with. Gravel just kept popping up in my lawn and driveway—drove me nuts. Good call on the gutters too. I ignored mine for a season and ended up with a soggy mess near the tank. It’s always the little things that make the biggest difference, huh?
Yeah, it’s wild how much difference a little thing like gutter direction can make. I’ve seen folks spend thousands fixing soggy leach fields just because their downspouts dumped right by the tank. Crushed concrete’s definitely less hassle than gravel, but I always remind people—watch for sharp bits if you’re doing any digging or kids are around. One time I found a chunk that could’ve shredded a tire. Little details, big headaches if you miss ‘em.
