The most important reason you should not install a vegetable garden on top of, or right next to, a septic system disposal field is because the plants can become contaminated by wastewater that has not yet been renovated by the field. Plants on disposal fields can absorb wastewater pathogens.
The roots will not be as encouraged to grow into this area; however, it's better to plant with at least 8 to 10 feet of space between these structures and your apple trees. A smart distance is somewhere beyond your apple tree's estimated maximum spread.
A raised garden can interfere with the functioning of a septic or drain field. Installing a raised garden bed over the leach lines is not recommended.
Don't Build or Place Anything Heavy on Your DrainfieldYou shouldn't even drive over the drainfield, as the vehicle can crush the drainfield lines. Heavy items cause soil compaction.
Herbaceous plants, such as annuals, perennials, bulbs and ornamental grasses are generally the best choices for use on a septic drain field. Ornamental grasses also offer the advantages of having a fibrous root system that holds soil in place, and providing year-round cover.
Trees can cause significant damage to a septic system. Over time, tree roots can wreak havoc on the pipes and drain lines that lead out to the sewer or to your privately installed septic system. As a result, the roots can grow into the walls of the pipes and block the ability to drain water and waste.
Plant weeping willow trees at least 50 feet away from the septic system, or, if you are putting in a new septic system, make sure it is at least 50 feet away from any willow trees. This 50 feet is a minimum spacing and even with this distance you could run into problems as the tree matures.
In addition to the harmful chemicals in fabric softener, the product is also pretty harmful to your septic system. Fabric softeners include ammonium compounds that have antibacterial properties. Petroleum products can be potentially toxic to natural microbes in septic systems.
In general, you shouldn't have any "permanent" installation over the septic tank or field. Same applied for the backup septic field. If you don't know where the primary and backup fields are, the locations are often registered with the county. There's no code for a regular household fire pit.
Septic tanks are typically rectangular in shape and measure approximately 5 feet by 8 feet. In most cases, septic tank components including the lid, are buried between 4 inches and 4 feet underground. You can use a metal probe to locate its edges and mark the perimeter.
According to the University of California Small Farm Program, fruits and vegetables should be planted at least 10 feet from a septic system or leach field to avoid bacterial contamination.
Septic systems are generally planned to have anywhere from 6 inches to 30 inches of soil on top of them.
The leach field is a series of trenches that may be up to 100-feet long and 1 foot to 3 feet in width, separated by six feet or more, depending on local requirements, and sometimes constructed leaving space between the original lines to install replacement leach lines when needed.
If roots are growing into the pipe, dig up the end of the pipe away from the septic tank. These pipes are usually open-ended. Insert the sewer auger into the end of the pipe and cut out the roots. Replace the pipe and soil around the pipe as you found them.
Gardens. Landscape fabric, plastic, bark, or mulch should not be used over your septic system. These materials reduce air exchange while bark and mulch also retain excess moisture. Adding more than a few inches of soil over the drainfield, such as for raised beds, limits air exchange and can lead to compaction.
Start your search for the septic tank lines at the house. Trace the plumbing drain lines to the septic tank, which is usually installed 10 to 20 feet from the home's exterior. At the tank's end opposite the house, the drain line leads to the leach field. Check the natural slope of the land to locate the leach field.
Direct all surface drainage away from the septic system. Use shallow-rooted plants (see plant list above). Tree and shrub roots can grow into the drainlines, clogging and breaking them. Avoid water-loving plants and trees.
