Garden Over Septic Field?

[ctpres]

Best clear space I have for garden is area were septic drain field is. Can a garden be safely grown on septic drain field? If yes would initial site prep with small 35 hp tractor be a problem? And typically how much soil would be on top of gravel?. I can clear more land but we love the trees.

 

[mikim]

I wouldn't do it on the dirt you have there. I know how you feel about the trees - I'm the same way ---- how about losing some lawn instead?

 

[polo1665]

I have the same situation at my place here in Ohio. All of my research into this led me to move my garden elsewhere. Every source of information suggested that it was not a good idea to grow a vegetable garden over a septic drain field. It is also not suggested to drive heavy equipment over the drain field. I had to move my garden roughly 150" further away from my work shop than I wanted. Fortunately I didn't have to cut any trees.
Check out this link.
Planting guidelines for gardens near septic systems, septic tanks, septic drainfields, septic mounds: growing fruits, vegetables, ornamentals near septic systems

 

[txdon]

And from the Virginia Cooperative Extension which does not eliminate the possibility just use precautions:



"Vegetable Gardens and Drainage Fields

Sometimes the ideal place to put a vegetable garden seems to be over the leach field, raising the question of bacterial and viral contamination from the effluent. Soils vary a great deal in their ability to filter viruses and bacteria. Clay soils work best, eliminating bacteria within a few inches of the drain trenches, but sandy soils may allow bacterial movement for several feet. A properly operating system will not contaminate the soil with disease-causing organisms, but it is very difficult to determine if a field is operating just as it should. If at all possible, use your septic drain field for ornamentals and plant your vegetables elsewhere. If you must plant vegetables, take the following precautions. Do not plant root crops over drain lines. Leafy vegetables could be contaminated by rain splashing soil onto the plant, so either mulch them to eliminate splashing or don't grow them. Fruiting crops are probably safe; train any vining ones such as cucumbers or tomatoes onto a support so that the fruit is off the ground. Thoroughly wash any produce from the garden before eating it. Do not construct raised beds over the field; they might inhibit evaporation of moisture."

Their web site: Planting on Your Septic Drain Field

 

[EddieWalker]

The problem with leach fields is that over time, they fill up with soil. The more active you are above the field, the quicker this happens. While some soil conditions are such that it doesn't matter how much fill gets into the field, other areas will cause failure fairly quickly. Activity above that field only speeds up the process. It's kind of like smoking. You don't really know how much shorter your lifespan will be because of smoking, but you know that if you never smoked at all, you would probably live a longer life. The same is true with your leach field.

Eddie

 

[ctpres]

I'll take Y'alls advise any day over Google. So I find another place. Thank You.

 

[LBrown59]

I'll take Y'alls advise any day over Google. So I find another place. Thank You.

Or just skip a garden.

 

[ToadHill]

As Irma Bombeck said, "The grass is always greener over the septic field."

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I was told to stay away from putting anything on the garden that involved waste from meat eaters (humans and such). And so I've also heard you shouldn't derive food from your leach field. I think the worry comes from the "mad cow" type issues that are involved.

Down in Victoria, the GBRA/waste department used to give away processed sludge for gardens and such and now I don't think they do it for the above reason.

Since we've had no rain, my leach field is the only green spot on our property.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Down in Victoria, the GBRA/waste department used to give away processed sludge for gardens and such and now I don't think they do it for the above reason.
.

Properly processed sludge is safe.
Bob