Is it safe to vegetable garden in a septic leach field? The leach lines are at least 6 feet deep, maybe 8. The field is slightly sloped, so water always drains away from it. I've never noticed moist soil in the summer months (dry season), and also never noticed the field grass growing better above the leach field than elsewhere.
gardening in the leach field
- Thread starter seapea
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turnkey4099
Elite Member
I did it in the past. Only planted above ground types, no potatos or the like. Any pathogens picked up will be on the surface of the veggie not incorporated within them. A good washing will take care of that but still...no patotoes for me.
Harry K
Harry K
Highbeam
Super Member
I would only grow grass above a drainfield. Not for risk of bugs on your food but for damaging the drainfield.
Junkman
Super Member
If his system is 6' down, you could grow anything on top with out ever being concerned the the roots will ever get near the contaminated water. In fact, if you dug down 4' I would bet that the ground would be quite dry.
tc35dforme
Platinum Member
I've got raspberries over mine.....they're really short rooted.
I've been told by a number of plant people ( real professor types /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif ) that the plants won't pick up contaminants.
I'm not worried.....just enjoying my stinky jelly /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I've been told by a number of plant people ( real professor types /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif ) that the plants won't pick up contaminants.
I'm not worried.....just enjoying my stinky jelly /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Egon
Epic Contributor
Highbeam
Super Member
"If his system is 6' down, you could grow anything on top with out ever being concerned the the roots will ever get near the contaminated water. In fact, if you dug down 4' I would bet that the ground would be quite dry."
Agreed, if you really have 6' to the top of rock then you could grow most anything with relatively shallow roots. I still have a hard time believing the 6' thing but it is entirely possible. Really, you could treat the ground like any other except I still think I would avoid deep rooting plants, those roots may seek the nutrient rich effluent and plug things up. Cottonwood trees are especially bad about this.
Heck, at 6' of true depth you could drive on top of it.
Agreed, if you really have 6' to the top of rock then you could grow most anything with relatively shallow roots. I still have a hard time believing the 6' thing but it is entirely possible. Really, you could treat the ground like any other except I still think I would avoid deep rooting plants, those roots may seek the nutrient rich effluent and plug things up. Cottonwood trees are especially bad about this.
Heck, at 6' of true depth you could drive on top of it.