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To: JustaDumbBlonde

Can I pose, um, a reaaly dumb question?

Ah-hem. Should I plant the victory garden over the septic field, or not?


26 posted on 04/20/2012 12:02:39 PM PDT by patton (DateDiff)
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To: patton
Should I plant the victory garden over the septic field, or not?

I wouldn't because the extra water might interfere with what the field is supposed to be doing. But I really don't know. Mine is eased in around the septic lines so between not wanting to disturb them and having a tiny yard, the garden is at its max now.

61 posted on 04/20/2012 3:58:31 PM PDT by bgill
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To: patton
Can I pose, um, a reaaly dumb question? Ah-hem. Should I plant the victory garden over the septic field, or not?

You really should not have anything but grass growing over a septic field . Anything that produces deep roots can end up causing you drainage problems when roots start clogging the field . Putting something that you also have to water directly on top of it will make your ground soggy and interfere with how the field wicks away water . It could possibly cause the field to collapse and or back up into your house (totally gross , stinky and very expensive to fix)


74 posted on 04/20/2012 5:42:19 PM PDT by Lera (Proverbs 29:2)
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To: patton
Should I plant the victory garden over the septic field, or not?

I'd be really careful about that, and do research on every plant used. Septic fields require plants that have thin, shallow roots, and that can adapt quickly to both dry and damp conditions. Maybe start with grasses, as those are what septic fields are designed to work with. I keep thinking of growing sweetgrass, which looks like regular lawn grass but has a vanilla/cinnamon scent to it. A septic field might be a good place for that, or there are other ornamental grasses. There are probably other plants that might work, but like I said, be meticulous about researching first, or you could end up with an expensive mess!

Also, don't plant something that's going to require watering frequently. The moisture it pulls up from the septic field itself should be enough. I'd also suggest staying away from annuals, since you want it growing and drawing moisture as soon as the snow melts off of it. And the plants have to grow thick. (Hmm, maybe mint would be a good one there?) From what I understand (which admittedly isn't much) the septic field actually needs the plants drawing out moisture and nutrients in order for it to work properly.
86 posted on 04/20/2012 6:59:36 PM PDT by Ellendra ("It's astounding how often people mistake their own stupidity for a lack of fairness." --Thunt)
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To: patton
"Should I plant the victory garden over the septic field, or not?"

LOL ... your question reminds me of a Erma Bombeck's book, The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank. The answer is really, I don't know. Can't honestly say that I've ever heard of anybody doing so. I do remember that my Granny's kitchen sink drained directly out of the house into a kinda trench that went across the side yard. She had the most beautiful Tiger lilies that grew along there, but that was way back before they started banning phosphates in detergent.

92 posted on 04/20/2012 7:23:11 PM PDT by JustaDumbBlonde (Don't wish doom on your enemies ... plan it.)
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