Septic field proximity

I moved into an old house and the septic system was put in before permits/maps were required. The leach field is somewhat of a mystery, which hinders my gardening.
I can tell where the pipes are *pretty much*  based on vitality of grass through the summer so I know not to dig around there. It was emptied just before we moved in, so a year ago and the pump upgraded. I'm not *too* worried about it malfunctioning, but the potential for bacteria gives me an ick.

If I put raised beds all around the edges, will it be safe? To the right is a steep bank down that I'd like to try to terrace, I think that is far enough away by any standard to be safe.

Hi Sarah,

I used to live in a house with a similar system.  We had a huge area in the back where we could not plant any trees.  In your case, I think the issue is having the problem of roots invading the plumbing that runs under the ground.  I am thinking that if you try a rather tall raised bed that you should probably be fine.  Truthfully, I doubt that you would have a problem planting annuals right on the ground as the root system will never get too large/deep before dying in the fall/winter.  But just to be safe, maybe raise it up a couple of feet.

Just my thoughts,

Eric

For sure no trees. I've read that you can plan flowers over a drain field directly, just not edible plants. Trees would be okay on terms of bacteria, but the roots would be the problem.  
Would raised vegetables on the edges be safe?

I put raised beds for annual vegetables right across our leach field three years ago and haven't observed any issues yet. But it probably depends a lot on soil conditions, waste load, etc.

Christopher Weeks wrote:I put raised beds for annual vegetables right across our leach field three years ago and haven't observed any issues yet. But it probably depends a lot on soil conditions, waste load, etc.

I'm positive that the next year, maybe even 2 won't be a problem for bacteria, I just don't want to bother with setting up boxes and have to move them.

Sarah,

I don't suppose you know how deep those septic lines are do you?  For some reason I am thinking that mine were buried 4' deep.  It looks like yours may have been laid on flat ground and then covered with several feet of fill.  Either way, my suspicion is that you would be fine planting in tall raised beds sitting on top of that mound.  Now I don't know that for certain, but it seems unlikely to me that any pathogens are going to work their way that far up or that the roots will work their way that far down.  

Maybe this is a case where you try planting something like a potato or some other deep-rooted root crop, dig it up and have it specifically tested just to be certain.

Eric

My risk tolerance level points me towards raised beds growing crops that are probably not root based to be especially safe.

If portability is required, you might consider large container gardening? My partner has a number of large buckets meant for horses that we do crops in to take advantage of spaces we normally wouldn't be growing in.

Eric Hanson wrote:Sarah,

I don't suppose you know how deep those septic lines are do you?  For some reason I am thinking that mine were buried 4' deep.  It looks like yours may have been laid on flat ground and then covered with several feet of fill.  Either way, my suspicion is that you would be fine planting in tall raised beds sitting on top of that mound.  Now I don't know that for certain, but it seems unlikely to me that any pathogens are going to work their way that far up or that the roots will work their way that far down.  

Maybe this is a case where you try planting something like a potato or some other deep-rooted root crop, dig it up and have it specifically tested just to be certain.

Eric

The yard is terraced so the first photo is the actual yard and the hill is one of the steps. There is one more down to the street and another.... 2?? up to the left, into the forest but  those are for later.  

Potatoes are exactly what I wanted to plant at the edge of the yard. The pipes could be anywhere from 18' to several feet so 😬