nickslawnandgarden
Sprout
Is it ok to grow vegetables over a septic system? That's the only place we got. 
Septic System
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ducks4you
Garden Master
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UNLESS you used chemicals that your are NOT supposed put in your system, I can't see why you couldn't plant on top of it. The grass always grew better on top of the septic system in our backyard when I was growing up. AND, (gulp!), the guy who cleans MINE out takes it and puts it on his corn/soybean fields!
BTW, my septic system's "tank" is a beautfully bricked in work of art! (We live on an old farm property.)
BTW, my septic system's "tank" is a beautfully bricked in work of art! (We live on an old farm property.)
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nickslawnandgarden
Sprout
Wow! That's crazy about the corn and beans!ducks4you said:
No chem's here so were good there. Didn't think there was an issue but wanted to be sure.
vfem
Garden Addicted
My yard is 1/2 septic leach field.... I grow a smalled raised bed garden above it. I wished it was much bigger... however, something got backed up in the leach field and I have to dig up a huge amount of land to try to unclog it. Thank goodness its not too close to my veggie garden... that would have been a total mess!
Just letting you know!
Just letting you know!
journey11
Garden Master
I asked the same question some time ago. Here's that thread...
http://www.theeasygarden.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=26605
Although I haven't planted anything on mine, I would say you could probably get away with certain plants, based on their rooting habit and using raised beds. Some plants, like squash and melons can put roots down like 18"-36". Some things like blackberries, spread by the root and can be invasive. Researching the growth habit of a particular plant first would probably be wise.
Another thing to consider is that the leach field piping is ver shallow under the ground. You don't want to do anything that might crush it.
I figure all I will do is plant peach trees a good distance around the perimeter and one day do some raised bed strawberries down the center of the rows, not on the line. I don't really want to take too many chances with it, because mine is already an old system anyway.
http://www.theeasygarden.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=26605
Although I haven't planted anything on mine, I would say you could probably get away with certain plants, based on their rooting habit and using raised beds. Some plants, like squash and melons can put roots down like 18"-36". Some things like blackberries, spread by the root and can be invasive. Researching the growth habit of a particular plant first would probably be wise.
Another thing to consider is that the leach field piping is ver shallow under the ground. You don't want to do anything that might crush it.
I figure all I will do is plant peach trees a good distance around the perimeter and one day do some raised bed strawberries down the center of the rows, not on the line. I don't really want to take too many chances with it, because mine is already an old system anyway.
Lavender2
Garden Addicted
Although our system is fairly deep, we have been advised not to grow anything but grass or a permanent wild flower garden on any part of the septic system.
Plants may not be affected but ... tilling, irrigation, open soil causing erosion, compacting soil, can all cause damage to your system.
All systems are different tho ... you may want to check with a septic professional from your area for advice.
They are sooo expensive to repair or replace.
Plants may not be affected but ... tilling, irrigation, open soil causing erosion, compacting soil, can all cause damage to your system.
All systems are different tho ... you may want to check with a septic professional from your area for advice.
They are sooo expensive to repair or replace.
