planting veges on septic trench system

[coastalhelen]

my septic system has a transpiration trench system - basically I have are 4 trenches approx 1m wide running the length and breadth of my back paddock where the grass is always lush and deep green. I've got a vege patch mandela and where I was planning on having a perennial bed, have found it to be mostly on top of a trench. Discovered this as I was trying to dig down one foot to plant my asparagus crowns, and the gravel is about 15cm down. Some of the other vege beds also cross over the trench and doesn't seem to have had any adverse effects. Obviously as asparagus lasts for 20 years, want to plant right the first time. Anyone who can help?

[TCLynx]

Most any authorities I know of will say never plant anything other than grass over a septic system.

Shallow rooted veggies might not be a big problem but anything that requires you digging down to where you hit the system, might cause you problems in the long run.

That said, I don't know that much about your system or what the authorities might say. A failed system around here can be a major headach.

[IntensiveGardener]

I once gardened on an area like this. Are the septic tank trenches under all your garden or just strips here and there? Avoid planting deep rooted plants on them and maybe just avoid the areas altogether as the water will drain away from them very quickly.
Do Not plant any trees neer the septic trenches as they will clog up the system will roots and then you'l have a major worry.

[paradisi]

when I was a kid my parents had the most amazing tomato plot on top of a septic tank trench - huge crops much more than we could ever eat.

[coastalhelen]

I once gardened on an area like this. Are the septic tank trenches under all your garden or just strips here and there? Avoid planting deep rooted plants on them and maybe just avoid the areas altogether as the water will drain away from them very quickly.
Do Not plant any trees neer the septic trenches as they will clog up the system will roots and then you'l have a major worry.

the trenches are just 4 strips through the paddock. think I'll find another spot for the asparagus crowns and change the pattern of my mandela.

[disorderly]

One of the criteria of asparagus growing is good drainage(especially if it is to be a long lasting perieniall crop).It is a deciduous plant which likes to be dry through the winter after it ferns and becomes dormant.
A septic trench is basically moist always and thus is not ideal for this particular crop.Much better to assign a sandy dryer area where you can restrict winter water and this crop will produce for many years.
It used to pop up year after year in neglected parts of the fields at Hawkesbury Ag College and I used to love harvesting the wild spears during spring.It's amazing how quickly they pop up.
Once you plant the new crowns it is also beneficial to wait till at least the next season till you begin to harvest( it allows time for the plant to build sufficient reserves).
It's a very rewarding crop to grow if you approach it as a long term proposition.

Scott

[Loris]

Try sunflowers on your strips. They are fairly shallow rooted and love to suck up water which aids your septic. The seed heads can be bagged and kept for sprouting or feeding to your poultry or just left for the local birds to enjoy.

[paradisi]

you could always try the water loving herbs - lemon grass would go crazy, ditto cardamom, Vietnamese mint underneath those, and mint, citrus would love the feeding and the water,

if you can provide a bit of shade - salacca edulis - the snake skinned fruit from Bali:

bananas

Just for show - some of the fishtail palms or travellers palms love regular moisture and are extravagant feeders

Will you need to access the transpiration trenches in the future, or is it plant and forget??

[gardenlen]

g'day helen,

you can create a vege' patch over a leach field/trenches be a good use of the nutrients going to waste. don't know about growing asparagus but by the sounds it is one crop not suited as are ptotatoes and carrots etc.,. as the purpose is to create a raised type bed enough so the roots of the above ground food plants can reach the nutrients.

we have a link on our site for help with leach filed planting.

also i would be looking to planting fruit trees along the downhill side of the field but away from the trench, these will then soak up any moisture that goes that way.

len

[sweetpea]

And you are keeping track of what goes down those pipes? Laundry detergent? Shampoo? Hair conditioner? Alkaline bath soap and dish soap? Household cleansers like Comet and grease cutters? Soap scum cleansers? All of those things will not only affect your soil, most being extremely alkaline, but have the potential for some chemicals to dissolve in water and be taken up in the plants. Do you want to be eating some of these things?

And cleaning out roots in pipes after your shower and toilets and tubs have backed up is a rotten way to spend time. My husband is very arthritic and got to the point where he can't even get down on his knees and try to shove and lift the snake into position. It's got to be the worst part of taking care of a house