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Circleville, Ohio

Is it recommended for a pumpkin patch to be over a leach field? Bad or Good? Recommend or No? Anyone have any experience?

10/15/2009 11:33:19 AM

Western NY

Probably not a good idea, but it depends on how deep your leach field is.

10/15/2009 12:16:03 PM

Ohio

Well, I grow over a leach field and in about one hour of direct sun in August.

My largest pumpkin is 600 pounds.

10/15/2009 12:21:48 PM

Didn't Erma Bombeck say that the grass is always greener over the septic tank?

I suppose, depending on how often one used the loo, this would be a great set-up for a “slow and steady feeding program” for you fruit.

Still, I suspect Andy is right. Driving over a drain field with heavy equipment when the ground is soggy in the fall is a good way to crush tile. Or, come spring, you end up mimicking me when Jim Sherwood had me come over a couple years ago and plow up his patch for planting. I was done (so I thought) with the last pass; Jim was inspecting the work and said, “hey, maybe you could make one more pass for me.” That’s when I located Jim’s underground sprinkler system.

A Kubota M9000 with a 3x16 plow doesn’t meet much resistance from buried ¾” PVC pipe…

10/15/2009 12:52:52 PM

Decatur, IL

I recently retired from a local health department and inspected septic systems. The trenches in the leach field should be between 18 inches - 3 ft. deep with between 6 inches - 2 ft. of earth cover. I would think in many cases you'd run the risk of cutting into the leach field. I certainly wouldn't plant edible crops over the field.

10/15/2009 2:31:10 PM

Minerva,ohio

well in all honesty my patch is my back yard and is pretty much leach bed. I haven't had many issues, only I would suggest not plowing with big machinery . I do all mine with a rototiller with a depth of around a foot , I would love more but not wise as I nicked a tile when digging my first year, causing a needed fix.

10/15/2009 3:19:56 PM

Simi valley, ca

In so cal the new regulations are 16 ft deep, YES SIXTEEN FEET! & 60 ft long , Depth to top of feild not known!

10/15/2009 4:45:13 PM

Cedar Lake, IN.

Take all the above advice. However I know one person who is growing Ags over his leach field and has been for a number of years. He has some heathly looking plants and some nice size pumpkins. tiles break very easy!!!!!

10/15/2009 6:28:38 PM

Dallas, Oregon

I grow on top of a leach field that I believe to be at least 4ft. deep and of perforated aluminum pipe. Had 2 punks over a thousand this year, doesn't seem to be hurting.

10/15/2009 8:34:18 PM

Bloomington, IN

or better yet, compost your crap instead. lol

http://weblife.org/humanure/

10/15/2009 10:23:55 PM

(rocky) Bonney Lake Wa.

I did it 2 years ago but that was also after I put a drain field in and I knew how deep I put it (4 ft) and what I used was a very sturdy Plastic tubing with the all the other stuff associated with it and grew at that time my PB of 1184. But not knowing all that and doing it to me would be risky.

10/16/2009 1:46:52 AM

Circleville, Ohio

Idea - I will try one patch over and one patch not next year......if I can swing it have one of same plants in each patch and we will see......

whatcha think?

10/16/2009 9:17:53 AM

Colorado

The 990 Bax world record was grown on a leech field back in the day

10/16/2009 12:12:40 PM

East Coast Southern Newjersey

Some of the nicest looking Tomatoes iv seen were grown over the CessPool.I wouldnt eat them personaly but I dont eat AG`s either!
I bet you would have some nice looking plants whats it gonna hurt to try! Just probe your field locate the tank and lid then mark it out.Go with a small tiller and have fun! As long as you are not haveing an issue with your septic system IE soggy back yard & Fresh Fart smelling grass.lol you should be ok!

10/19/2009 10:19:01 PM