Fat Che keeps edible plants away from septic tank

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=268x586

Okay, so I'm over in the rural forum on Skins's island, looking for material.

I have no idea what compels me to check out this bonfire, especially since it's an old one, but I check it out anyway, and lo and behold, the long-mausoleumed Fat Che's at it.

AZDemDist6  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:04 PM
Original message

OK so now I own a septic tank, what can I plant on it?
   
I'll be in SE New Mexico (think Texas panhandle) and I really don't want grass, too much maintence. I looked into prarie grasses but they have long taproots and i'm afraid they'll tear up the pipe

maybe I should plan my raised veggie beds there? the drain field runs along the eastern property line on the south side of the house

any suggestions anyone?

benburch  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:10 PM
Response to Original message

1. I would keep edible plants away from the septic tank.
   
Septic tanks receive ANYTHING that goes down your drain, and some of it does not biodegrade.

AZDemDist6  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:35 PM
Response to Reply #1

9. right, the tank has to be kept open to pump and inspect too, but I was talking about the drain or leech field

and good point about the veggies I guess even though they'll have close to 4 feet of dirt between them

TygrBright  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:14 PM
Response to Original message

2. Are you talking about the tank itself or the leach field for the tank?
   
If you're talking about an enclosed tank, you can plant what you want on it except for trees with invasive roots. Grasses and perennials may taproot but they aren't likely to mess up the tank. If you're talking about the leach field, OTOH, don't plant edibles and don't plant anything big like trees or large shrubs that could potentiall blow over in a high wind. Native xeric scrubby stuff like chamisa or apache plume would probably be okay. Just whack it back every couple years to keep it from getting too big.

AZDemDist6  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:36 PM
Response to Reply #2

10. yes, the leach field. xeric stuff will go wild over there eh? with all the water available?

SnoopDog  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:15 PM
Response to Original message

3. Well, technically....
   
I believe you are talking about the leach field - right? The house feeds into the tank then the tank feeds into the leach field.

They say you should not plant anything on top of the leach field but that is ridiculous. I would plant grasses of some sort.

And no vegetable gardens at all on the leach field - even in raised beds.

AZDemDist6  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:37 PM
Response to Reply #3

11. yes the leach field is what I'm talking about
   
you think praerie grasses would be ok? I read that Buffalo Grass has 18" taproots and I really really don't want a lawn type grass

maybe fescue?

sarge43  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:16 PM
Response to Original message

4. Depending how much use it gets (number of people in household)
   
you'll have to have it cleaned out and inspected at max every three years. Drought resistant grass is really your best bet - easy to remove and replace.

/on edit/ We planted wild flowers in our leach field. Worked out nicely.

AZDemDist6  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:38 PM
Response to Reply #4

12. it's a 1000gallon unit and they're only two of us and the septic itself is not what I'm asking about, rather the drain or leach field "downstream" of the tank itself

wildflowers sound nice....

sarge43  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 07:51 PM
Response to Reply #12

20. Wild flowers do work nicely
   
Preparing the soil is a hassle. You have to till and remove most of the sod, but after that they're pretty much maintenance free. Mow once a year to keep down the shrub and tree seedlings that invade. We got our seeds from

www.americanmeadows.com

They have regional mixes, some native plants and others that do well in your area. If you order from them, also recommend The Wildflower Video; it has handy tips and advice.

AZDemDist6  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 08:43 PM
Response to Reply #20

21. there is no sod, there is nothing but an acre of high plains desert

sarge43  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Thu Jun-15-06 06:17 AM
Response to Reply #21

25. Oh dear.
   
You could check with your local Extension Service for tips to augment the soil.

I'm use to dealing with New England soil - several millennia of leaf mulch and rocks, lots of rocks.

I dunno.

Actually, this turned out a pretty big bonfire, including a photograph of a real live septic tank, and I got curious about something.

Before posting this, I went outside to inspect where the septic tank is here.

Prairie grass, walnut trees on two sides, and a few late-season dandelions.

[LC EFA]

Hey , DUmmies , why don't you plant your dope trees on the drain field..

That way you might have some basis for the claim that it is really wicked "shit"...

[jinxmchue]

Personally, I'd keep Fister away from anything edible for obvious reasons.  We all know where his hands have been.

[JohnnyReb]

"The Grass Is Always Greener Over The Septic Tank"....Erma Bombeck

Hey, what in the world do DUmmies put in their septic tanks? I've lived right here for 40 years this month and I've never had my septic tank pumped. It hasn't been touched since I put it in. ....and I did grow some of the best tomatoes you ever tasted over it once.

[BlueStateSaint]

Hey , DUmmies , why don't you plant your dope trees on the drain field..

That way you might have some basis for the claim that it is really wicked "shit"...

You and Johnny Reb . . . H5!

[Wineslob]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=268x586

Okay, so I'm over in the rural forum on Skins's island, looking for material.

I have no idea what compels me to check out this bonfire, especially since it's an old one, but I check it out anyway, and lo and behold, the long-mausoleumed Fat Che's at it.

AZDemDist6  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:04 PM
Original message

OK so now I own a septic tank, what can I plant on it?
   
I'll be in SE New Mexico (think Texas panhandle) and I really don't want grass, too much maintence. I looked into prarie grasses but they have long taproots and i'm afraid they'll tear up the pipe

maybe I should plan my raised veggie beds there? the drain field runs along the eastern property line on the south side of the house

any suggestions anyone?

benburch  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:10 PM
Response to Original message

1. I would keep edible plants away from the septic tank.
   
Septic tanks receive ANYTHING that goes down your drain, and some of it does not biodegrade.

AZDemDist6  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:35 PM
Response to Reply #1

9. right, the tank has to be kept open to pump and inspect too, but I was talking about the drain or leech field

and good point about the veggies I guess even though they'll have close to 4 feet of dirt between them

TygrBright  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:14 PM
Response to Original message

2. Are you talking about the tank itself or the leach field for the tank?
   
If you're talking about an enclosed tank, you can plant what you want on it except for trees with invasive roots. Grasses and perennials may taproot but they aren't likely to mess up the tank. If you're talking about the leach field, OTOH, don't plant edibles and don't plant anything big like trees or large shrubs that could potentiall blow over in a high wind. Native xeric scrubby stuff like chamisa or apache plume would probably be okay. Just whack it back every couple years to keep it from getting too big.

AZDemDist6  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:36 PM
Response to Reply #2

10. yes, the leach field. xeric stuff will go wild over there eh? with all the water available?

SnoopDog  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:15 PM
Response to Original message

3. Well, technically....
   
I believe you are talking about the leach field - right? The house feeds into the tank then the tank feeds into the leach field.

They say you should not plant anything on top of the leach field but that is ridiculous. I would plant grasses of some sort.

And no vegetable gardens at all on the leach field - even in raised beds.

AZDemDist6  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:37 PM
Response to Reply #3

11. yes the leach field is what I'm talking about
   
you think praerie grasses would be ok? I read that Buffalo Grass has 18" taproots and I really really don't want a lawn type grass

maybe fescue?

sarge43  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:16 PM
Response to Original message

4. Depending how much use it gets (number of people in household)
   
you'll have to have it cleaned out and inspected at max every three years. Drought resistant grass is really your best bet - easy to remove and replace.

/on edit/ We planted wild flowers in our leach field. Worked out nicely.

AZDemDist6  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:38 PM
Response to Reply #4

12. it's a 1000gallon unit and they're only two of us and the septic itself is not what I'm asking about, rather the drain or leach field "downstream" of the tank itself

wildflowers sound nice....

sarge43  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 07:51 PM
Response to Reply #12

20. Wild flowers do work nicely
   
Preparing the soil is a hassle. You have to till and remove most of the sod, but after that they're pretty much maintenance free. Mow once a year to keep down the shrub and tree seedlings that invade. We got our seeds from

www.americanmeadows.com

They have regional mixes, some native plants and others that do well in your area. If you order from them, also recommend The Wildflower Video; it has handy tips and advice.

AZDemDist6  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 08:43 PM
Response to Reply #20

21. there is no sod, there is nothing but an acre of high plains desert

sarge43  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Thu Jun-15-06 06:17 AM
Response to Reply #21

25. Oh dear.
   
You could check with your local Extension Service for tips to augment the soil.

I'm use to dealing with New England soil - several millennia of leaf mulch and rocks, lots of rocks.

I dunno.

Actually, this turned out a pretty big bonfire, including a photograph of a real live septic tank, and I got curious about something.

Before posting this, I went outside to inspect where the septic tank is here.

Prairie grass, walnut trees on two sides, and a few late-season dandelions.

Even as old as the bonfire is, it cracks me up. As an owner of a home with a septic system, I made sure I understood how and why it works.
The leech field, DUmmies, is 2-3 ft underground. The system only uses one line at a time (there are several) and unless you know where they are located, you'll never notice or know where they are.

[MoshMasterD]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=268x586

Okay, so I'm over in the rural forum on Skins's island, looking for material.

I have no idea what compels me to check out this bonfire, especially since it's an old one, but I check it out anyway, and lo and behold, the long-mausoleumed Fat Che's at it.

AZDemDist6  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:04 PM
Original message

OK so now I own a septic tank, what can I plant on it?
   
I'll be in SE New Mexico (think Texas panhandle) and I really don't want grass, too much maintence. I looked into prarie grasses but they have long taproots and i'm afraid they'll tear up the pipe

maybe I should plan my raised veggie beds there? the drain field runs along the eastern property line on the south side of the house

any suggestions anyone?

benburch  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:10 PM
Response to Original message

1. I would keep edible plants away from the septic tank.
   
Septic tanks receive ANYTHING that goes down your drain, and some of it does not biodegrade.

AZDemDist6  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:35 PM
Response to Reply #1

9. right, the tank has to be kept open to pump and inspect too, but I was talking about the drain or leech field

and good point about the veggies I guess even though they'll have close to 4 feet of dirt between them

TygrBright  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:14 PM
Response to Original message

2. Are you talking about the tank itself or the leach field for the tank?
   
If you're talking about an enclosed tank, you can plant what you want on it except for trees with invasive roots. Grasses and perennials may taproot but they aren't likely to mess up the tank. If you're talking about the leach field, OTOH, don't plant edibles and don't plant anything big like trees or large shrubs that could potentiall blow over in a high wind. Native xeric scrubby stuff like chamisa or apache plume would probably be okay. Just whack it back every couple years to keep it from getting too big.

AZDemDist6  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:36 PM
Response to Reply #2

10. yes, the leach field. xeric stuff will go wild over there eh? with all the water available?

SnoopDog  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:15 PM
Response to Original message

3. Well, technically....
   
I believe you are talking about the leach field - right? The house feeds into the tank then the tank feeds into the leach field.

They say you should not plant anything on top of the leach field but that is ridiculous. I would plant grasses of some sort.

And no vegetable gardens at all on the leach field - even in raised beds.

AZDemDist6  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:37 PM
Response to Reply #3

11. yes the leach field is what I'm talking about
   
you think praerie grasses would be ok? I read that Buffalo Grass has 18" taproots and I really really don't want a lawn type grass

maybe fescue?

sarge43  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:16 PM
Response to Original message

4. Depending how much use it gets (number of people in household)
   
you'll have to have it cleaned out and inspected at max every three years. Drought resistant grass is really your best bet - easy to remove and replace.

/on edit/ We planted wild flowers in our leach field. Worked out nicely.

AZDemDist6  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 06:38 PM
Response to Reply #4

12. it's a 1000gallon unit and they're only two of us and the septic itself is not what I'm asking about, rather the drain or leach field "downstream" of the tank itself

wildflowers sound nice....

sarge43  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 07:51 PM
Response to Reply #12

20. Wild flowers do work nicely
   
Preparing the soil is a hassle. You have to till and remove most of the sod, but after that they're pretty much maintenance free. Mow once a year to keep down the shrub and tree seedlings that invade. We got our seeds from

www.americanmeadows.com

They have regional mixes, some native plants and others that do well in your area. If you order from them, also recommend The Wildflower Video; it has handy tips and advice.

AZDemDist6  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-14-06 08:43 PM
Response to Reply #20

21. there is no sod, there is nothing but an acre of high plains desert

sarge43  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Thu Jun-15-06 06:17 AM
Response to Reply #21

25. Oh dear.
   
You could check with your local Extension Service for tips to augment the soil.

I'm use to dealing with New England soil - several millennia of leaf mulch and rocks, lots of rocks.

I dunno.

Actually, this turned out a pretty big bonfire, including a photograph of a real live septic tank, and I got curious about something.

Before posting this, I went outside to inspect where the septic tank is here.

Prairie grass, walnut trees on two sides, and a few late-season dandelions.

Wasn't Fister banned?

[franksolich]

Yeah, Fat Che was banned.

But this is a bonfire two years ago, when Fat Che was still there.

Some of the later comments are more recent, bringing this particular bonfire back up to the top of the forum.

[NHSparky]

Yes, some stuff doesn't degrade.  That's why we have Rid-X and people who pump the tanks down every few years or so.

As for me, the septic/leach field is in my front yard.  Problem is, when they did the landscaping they didn't put much topsoil over either one (with good reason--I don't want tractors on top of little tanks.) and I've since had to fill in and reseed the areas, particularly over the tank itself.