What can I do here?

Hi, I'm brand new and not sure if I'm actually jumping in just yet even. We are about to accept a counter offer on a house and the house is perfect. The only drawback is that I am not at all familiar with the limitations of the type of land it is on. It's in western WA, only 1 acre with a big yard smack in the center that I am assuming is the septic drain field. Surrounding that is dense woods: a couple of cedar, a lot of fern and.... I don't even know what yet. We will probably buy the .8 acre adjacent. The back of the property has a steep slope down to a creek. The rest of the property goes uphill to the next plot with just a small flat area in the trees. I'm in love with the forest aspect but I really want to be able to grow food. Can you tell me what I'm in for?  Will I just ruin the watershed by clearing out a plot? Will I be totally miserable trying to water uphill from well access?  Am I going to be constantly sick from my dog rolling around the septic field? Should I just resign myself to buying the property just for the house?

Attached are photos of 1) the back of the property with the creek below 2) a nice little representation of what the wooded part is like with the house peeking through 3) view off the back deck, Not sure where the septic lines are but in there somewhere

Hi, Sarah

Welcome to the forum.

Sarah said, "assuming is the septic drain field"

Since you say you are getting ready to make an offer my suggestion would be to ask the owner if that is indeed a septic drain field.  And also where the septic lines are, though usually those can easily be found where the lines come out of the house and then go to the septic system.  My main line comes out from the bathroom.

Here are some threads that you or others might find interesting:

https://permies.com/t/5536/safe-grow-edibles-septic-drain

https://permies.com/t/10793/Concerns-chicken-paddocks-septic-drain

Hi Sarah!

I too would try to find out as much as possible before you lose contact with the current owner. Asking costs nothing and it might save you the headache of looking for answers later.

It seems strange to use the yard as a septic drain field. Is that a common practice near you?

If I were faced with a leach field (which is how I know a septic drain field), I would probably plant try to establish a WET system and fill the area with as many nutrient-hungry plants as possible. Willows and rushes are the obvious choice in my part of the world. These plants will soak up any excess nitrogen and will reduce the pathogen load from the ground. The system will also be a wildlife haven.

Talking of wildlife havens, that woodland looks incredible. I would urge you to spend as much time as possible watching it before you decide to clear anything. Hanging mosses and ferns usually indicate quite a humid environment and those are often the first to be targeted for draining by landowners. The result being that these habitats are in decline in many places.

Regardless, best of luck with your purchase. It seems like you are at an exciting point in your life!