Steve Stanek

Another tactic you could try is  to loosen up soil by using a broad fork. I had similar problem but with clay. So after getting some compost down, I used broadfork to open up soil without doing damage of tilling. It allowed soil to open up and get some oxygen, also some compost fell in to add Organics to soil (humis). That way after a rain water soaked in better and clay did not compact as much. Trees are doing much better now. But I may need to do area a little further out.

Travis Johnson wrote:I would graze it. keep in mind the affluent from your household is going down and not up due to gravity. I would stay away from alfalfa as a crop of any type however as they put down a 20 foot tap root, and that includes my farm where ledge rock is everywhere. If it can drive its root into cracks in ledge, it will really find those tiny holes in your leach field pipes.

I will say this...holy smolies on size. I complained to the soil engineer on mine and it was 15 foot by 20.

They cleared more than just the leech field. But it is very large...I think it has to do with it being a low pressure system and soil type in area.

Bryant RedHawk wrote:Taking into consideration your concerns and then looking at the actual local I would recommend using that space for a wildlife feed plot.
Planting crimson clover, alfalfa, brassicas, vetch, seven top turnip, etc. will give a high quality forage space for deer, turkey, rabbit, quail and most other game animals.
If you also planted some corn, beans and squashes you would have an excellent game animal attractor space which could allow you food as well as simply providing the wild life a wonderful space to use.

Do not plant red clover, it is quite a hazard for large animals like deer since it acts as a poison to them.
Sweet Yellow, Crimson, Dutch White are great clovers to use in a feed plot or a pasture.

As long as you make regular additions of biologicals to your septic system (every other month or even every month) then you will not have to worry about pathogens rising through the system, they will be eaten.
We use "Ridex" along with additions to the leach field of fungi slurries which include oyster mushroom hyphae that feed on some wood chips I've laid down over the entire leach field.


Redhawk

Thanks for the details on plants and septic additives. This helps a lot.

Jim Fry wrote:We use our similar area for pasture. Regulate how tall the grasses get by the number of animals you have, and by field rotation. We have La Mancha goats (because they are a rare breed here and give excellent milk) Jacobs sheep (also rare and supply good wool and meat) and we have Jersey milk cows for milk. They all do well in the area. We get some foot prints/divots, but its never been a problem because of slope and drainage.  

Thanks Jim... got a question for you. What type of pasture plants are you growing for your goats? We have a few Nigerian Dwarfs that we could possibly cycle over there. But they are pretty picky eaters, don't care too much for grass. How did you get your La Manchas to forage instead of browse?

Help! I need ideas.... Help me come up with a good use for this area.

The photo below shows our septic field. Our soils are bad in the NC Triassic basin (only area were we could find land). So we had to use a non-conventional system. This resulted in much higher install cost and larger drainage field (150x40ft?). Our septic repair area would require even more costly system. So I am really freaked out about endangering the current drainage field.

It is very sloped too so cannot use for playing field for kids. I definitely don't want to to be just lawn.

Things I ruled out:
*Orchard mixed with berries: roots may clog pipes
*Run our chicken or rabbit tractors over it- worried about killing off vegetation and increasing nitrogen in area that may be high due to septic already.
*Garden area: Health hazard of crops due to septic. Too far from zone 1 (more neglect and plus deer will wipe anything out).

So guys, please give me some ideas on how I can use this area....
Thanks in advance,
steven

Oh Thank you so much! These were great. I was in doctor waiting room watching the videos and other folks think I am bat-shit crazy rolling out of my chair.

Devaka Cooray wrote:I just did something behind the server, which should fix things for everyone who couldn't get access to their stuff.
This includes, Steve, Upgeya, Rose, and Lisa, (et al) - guys, you should be able to access your stuff now. Please check.

I am good to go now! Can acccess all the awesomeness! I really appreciate the assistance!

Devaka Cooray wrote:Steve Stanek,

Can you access the link for candy now?

Steve Stanek wrote:

Devaka Cooray wrote:Steve Stanek,

Can you access the link for candy now?

Everything works but I cannot access instructor notes. Here is my current state:

hugelculture videos:  16 min microdocumentary works from link in email sent....YEAH!
ATC notes: Works from email link sent. YEAH!!!
Instructor Notes (179) cannot get download link... the original email link takes me to page, but asks for money. Is there a new link (I was logged in).

Thanks,
steven

Steve Stanek wrote:

Devaka Cooray wrote:Steve Stanek,

Can you access the link for candy now?

Hi,
I just got your email...sorry for delay. I clicked on the link and it works now!!!
THanks so much!!!

Ok, so I spoke a little too soon. Everything works but I cannot access instructor notes. Here is my current state:

hugelculture videos:  16 min microdocumentary works from link in email sent....YEAH!
ATC notes: Works from email link sent. YEAH!!!
Instructor Notes (179) cannot get download link... the original email link takes me to page, but asks for money. Is there a new link (I was logged in).

Thanks,
steven

Devaka Cooray wrote:Steve Stanek,

Can you access the link for candy now?

Hi,
I just got your email...sorry for delay. I clicked on the link and it works now!!!
THanks so much!!!