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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2015 11:12:47 GMT -5
I was wondering if anyone can speak into planting vegetables on top of my septic field. I have gotten mixed thoughts so far. My concerns are the following.
1. Keep the field working, I have not experienced any excessive moisture on the top soil at all. Actually rather dry. I had to water the grass we unfortunately planted last year. (Just getting into the whole permaculture way of thinking) But obviously no large root system that might invade the system.
2. Potential poisoning to food crops, we are very careful of what we flush or wash with.
Should I build up some compost on top, maybe 5" and just go for it. Its a large field and its in the perfect sun spot. So a lot of unused space otherwise.
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Post by breezygardener on Feb 13, 2015 11:29:20 GMT -5
This can be a highly contentious subject, but all I will say is DO NOT DO IT!!!!!!
Septic fields should have one crop, & one crop ONLY atop them, & that is lawn grass. Period.
In both areas of Virginia we've lived in, both the Health Departments AND the local Extension Departments STRONGLY advised that. Your septic field is not meant to be a gardening area. In addition, do not plant trees &/or shrubs close to your septic field borders, as their root systems can invade, clog, & ultimately degrade the piping.
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Post by SpringRain🕊️ on Feb 13, 2015 13:33:16 GMT -5
I second Breezy's advice, not only for the reasons she stated but because of access when the tank needs to be cleaned out.
I don't remember all the discussions from a DIY Forum that unfortunately became, like other forums, perhaps a victim of the FaceBook monopoly and closed last year.
But I do remember issues of leach field access and the need for availability to clean out when it was required. Another possible consideration is leaking from the septic tank, something you wouldn't want not only for safety but for issues of accessibility if a leak developed and had to be contained. Even though you haven't experienced any leaks thus far, you never know what might happen below ground. BTW, how old is the tank and when has it last been cleaned out?
There may also be regulations enacted by the local municipality/township to maintain clearance for leach field and tank cleanout access.
Best advice: don't take the chance.
The only thing I might plant is something that doesn't matter (like grass) when/if the tank needs to be dug out and/or replaced. I haven't lived in an area that used a septic tank for some decades, but I do have some vague recollections that sometimes they need to be replaced. And they can deteriorate.
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Post by gakaren on Feb 13, 2015 14:08:58 GMT -5
And I have lived more of my life with either an outhouse or a septic tank & field.
I agree, don't do it for all the reasons stated!
I saw at one house I rented what can happen when a septic is invaded by roots. First it broke apart the outer shell, then it filled the inside with roots and I'm talking a SOLID MASS of roots that had to be chopped out with an ax and then pitch forked out of the hole. And while the guy was doing this....just imagine what he was standing in and how bad it smelled! All that had been left open was a circle about 3' around and this was causing EVERYTHING to back up in the house...toilets, tubs, kitchen sink!
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Post by brownrexx on Feb 13, 2015 15:57:18 GMT -5
A septic field a.k.a. drain field is an area where the liquids overflow from the septic tank and percolate into the ground. The solids stay in the tank but they still are "soaking" in the liquid before it overflows in to the drain field.
Although I do use manure in my compost pile it is not human manure which seems somehow more distasteful. Wastes from humans may carry pathogens which are harmful to humans therefore I would NEVER want to grow a food crop over an area that contains liquid from a septic tank.
Manure from animals should be composted for 4 months before being used on a garden for safety. A drainfield will contain "fresh" liquids from a septic tank.
Last but not least drain fields are incredibly expensive to replace and I would not want to risk having one dug up and rebuilt.
In my county wells must be located at least 100 feet from a septic system for health reasons so this should tell you something.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2015 16:09:41 GMT -5
Thanks for all the advice. The tank is further away, I was mainly talking about the leech field. It was just installed in 2013. Tank is still pretty empty also. But it makes sense. So I`ll keep the grass for now, maybe add some wild flowers to it for the bees ? Or do those also have deep root systems that might invade.
The other idea I had was to maybe put some raised beds on it that actually are raised above ground high enough for airflow underneath. Aquaponic beds come to mind which would separate any kind of contact.
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Post by breezygardener on Feb 13, 2015 16:26:44 GMT -5
NO raised beds. NOTHING except grass. While you "might" get away with some wildflowers, some perennials & ornamental grasses that might be in some "wildflower mixes" may have root systems deeper than what's considered safe for a septic field. It simply isn't worth the risk.
Honestly - just keep plain grass over your septic field. Consider it an independent utility necessary for your home instead of a possible garden spot.
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Post by brownrexx on Feb 13, 2015 16:31:02 GMT -5
Another thing to consider is that compaction is bad for drain fields and if you had a garden there, I would imagine that you would be doing a lot of walking in that area too and this can cause serious compaction.
Raised beds may sound like a good idea but in addition to compaction they would not allow the proper evaporation to take place in the drain field.
Overall it's just a bad idea in my opinion.
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Post by desertwoman on Feb 13, 2015 21:07:55 GMT -5
I concur with everything stated. And the point about compaction is a very important one. The last septic leach field we had, I planted native grass with some sunflowers around the perimeter, with no problems.
It is also required, here, to have at least 100' between wells and the septic. When we bought this place 5 years ago, the very old system had to be replaced and because there was less than 100' the previous owner (who was responsible) had to have a "mini treatment plant" installed about 15' below the surface. It's quite the thing and is now required in situations like semi rural where where there isn't enough room for a septic system.
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Post by armjr on Feb 14, 2015 0:02:16 GMT -5
It is tempting to plant over the drain field. As you have probably gathered by now there are more reasons not to do so than to do so.
All the other reasons not withstanding, the primary reason I would not plant anything but grass over my drain field is to reduce the likelihood of roots disrupting the drain field. When the drain field don't drain, the septic tank don't drain. When the septic tank don't drain, the toilet don't drain. With the old adage that "$#!T" flows downhill in mind, you want to do everything possible to have that process continue expeditiously unimpeded!
Don't do it...
Alan
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2015 6:47:49 GMT -5
Thanks for all the advice. Looks like I`ll just keep the grass and use it for grass clippings, at least I can use those for some kind of mulch or compost.
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Post by ncgarden on Feb 14, 2015 16:13:28 GMT -5
If you cannot bear that "wasted" space, you could grow a small plot of hay and harvest it by hand. Good experience, kind of fun to harvest a little bit by hand, and if you don't have livestock, you can use it in the garden.
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Post by breezygardener on Feb 14, 2015 16:33:15 GMT -5
If you cannot bear that "wasted" space, you could grow a small plot of hay and harvest it by hand. Good experience, kind of fun to harvest a little bit by hand, and if you don't have livestock, you can use it in the garden.
Once again though, that would depend on the type of hay/grasses. Many of them have root systems deeper than lawn grass.
I still vote for regular old lawn for septic areas.
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Post by gulfcoastguy on Feb 14, 2015 18:14:08 GMT -5
In area that have poor percolation, planting certain nonfood plants helps transpire the water from the septic line to the air. It also eats up some of the "fertilize". Locally some people plant cannas, Louisiana Iris, and Elephant Ears. Tis also helps to keep people or wheeled vehicles off of the septic line.
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stuckinsouthdakota
Sprout
SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor for Pennington County, Black Hills of South Dakota; Zone 4
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Post by stuckinsouthdakota on Feb 16, 2015 10:47:39 GMT -5
Our septic guy that is installing our tank and drain field said that you will want to plant something on it right away, or at least around here or the knapweed and thistle will take over...and that is something that you don't want. Also not to walk repeated on the drain field...that will compact the soil and it will not drain as well.
I am planting a buffalo grass and native grass mix on mine so I don't have to mow it...and throwing in a native wildflower mix from this area for the bees and beauty of it all.
You also don't want to water a lot on your drain field. You will...well at least here in South Dakota...have to water the seeds to get them established, unless we actually have a decent spring with rain. But after the grasses and flowers are going good, discontinue watering and let Mother Nature take it from there. The things that adapt will continue to reseed themselves, and the ones that don't adapt must not be for this area at this time. We go through cycles here, as I think they do everywhere. Wet years, then dry years...about every 7 years on average.
My land is a unique area where the short grass prairie, steppe and forest all meet. I have grass, wildflowers, deciduous trees such as oak, ash, elm, evergreens pine and juniper, and a limestone banked canyon. Plenty of rocks too.
stuck
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