Converting 1 acre old septic leach field. Should I leave it in place or remove it?

[thehobbyfarmer]

I recently acquired 3 acres of land. 1 of the acres, which used to be used for famring, was converted to a septic leach / tile field about 20 years ago, rendering the the field useless. I've been able to get permission from the State to reclaim the field (changing the septic to a new UV system that diverts the field).

The problem now is: I've got hundreds of yards of rock underneath the ground in trenches all along the acre of land. Should I pay to remove it ($4000) or just leave it there? I want to grow everything, corn, potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, et al.

The rock is 12-18 inches below the surface I've been told. We are going to test the depth, but its such a large field the depth could easily vary. Is it feasible to just build up the soil so I don't have an issue when tilling? I am about to get a JD 4' tiller for my 1025R, but now I'm worried I may not even be able to use it!

Thanks for your help in advance!

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I would just plow less than 12". If it gets very dry in the summer you will be able to see were the strips of gravel are under the ground.

Do you know if the pipe is plastic, concrete, etc?

I would consider using a single beam subsoiler and go over it in both directions about 3' apart and 18" deep or so but you may find that does not make sense in your case. You can buy a lot of produce for $4K.

 

[thehobbyfarmer]

My only concern is that over time, the rocks will eventually make their way to the surface (freezing and thawing). Then I'll have a huge mess as the rocks will start getting mixed in with everything.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Do a small test spot or just farm between the rows of gravel that is underground.

What type rock did they use.

 

[thehobbyfarmer]

I'm doing that next week. I'm waiting on the guy that installed it to come out and do the test. I think it's just small aggregate, pea sized.

 

[oosik]

Ah - if the gravel in the drainfield trenches is "standard" stuff - screened, 3/4" to 1 1/2" it won't migrate to the surface thru freezing/thawing. Think about it - if it DID make its way to the surface - why in H+LL would it be used for a drain field. You think a few stones getting mixed in with a garden you are going to be planting would be a mess - imagine what a true mess would be - all the drainfield gravel -slowly but surely making its way to the surface. I've designed/inspected on-site disposal systems for 23+ years - never, even once, seen drain field gravel make its way to the surface thru freezing/thawing actions.

Sure seen it happen thru the actions of self appointed idiots driving heavy equipment on drain fields.

I'd just not worry about it and plow as indicated by Gale Hawkins - 12" deep or less.

 

[CincyFlyer]

My only concern is that over time, the rocks will eventually make their way to the surface (freezing and thawing). Then I'll have a huge mess as the rocks will start getting mixed in with everything.

If you are careful to work only the least amount of depth that will allow your crop to go, you should be good to go. Any rocks that would have climbed up would have done so, otherwise.

 

[Billrog]

What oosik said.

 

[thehobbyfarmer]

Ah - if the gravel in the drainfield trenches is "standard" stuff - screened, 3/4" to 1 1/2" it won't migrate to the surface thru freezing/thawing. Think about it - if it DID make its way to the surface - why in H+LL would it be used for a drain field. You think a few stones getting mixed in with a garden you are going to be planting would be a mess - imagine what a true mess would be - all the drainfield gravel -slowly but surely making its way to the surface. I've designed/inspected on-site disposal systems for 23+ years - never, even once, seen drain field gravel make its way to the surface thru freezing/thawing actions.

Sure seen it happen thru the actions of self appointed idiots driving heavy equipment on drain fields.

I'd just not worry about it and plow as indicated by Gale Hawkins - 12" deep or less.

This is great news. If I can get away with just tilling the top 6" and then building up the soil over time, that would be amazing!

 

[oosik]

hobbyfarmer - just be mindful of what I said. Don't be driving heavy equipment out on the drainfield area when its soggy wet. Just because its no longer an active drainfield doesn't mean that heavy equipment can't tear it up and expose the gravel lying underneath. Plow/till this area as you would any other area - after things have dried out from a wet spring or in the fall prior to freeze-up.