Raised Vege Beds over septic's sand filter?

Roma 4/26/2010, 1:11 pm

Hi!

I'm planting a vegetable garden for the first time and I was planning on building raised beds over our sand filter (it's a 2 year-old septic system, and the beds wouldn't be over the drain field...just over the sand filter). There is about 6" of soil over the sand filter, topped with gravel.

I wanted to build 7' round brick-lined beds (about 1.5 to 2' deep). There seems to be two schools of thought about growing vegetables over the sand filter. Some say, "don't do it!" and others say, "I don't see a problem."

Any thoughts or advice you can give me? THANKS!

Roma

boffer 4/26/2010, 1:30 pm

My drain field is built like you describe your sand filter. I wouldn't think twice about it-go for it. The veggie roots in the sfg box aren't going to be in the filter's materials.

I'm also assuming there's no compaction issues with the filter's materials by walking on it.

Lavender Debs 4/26/2010, 9:29 pm

I'm of the "go for it" crowd.

My husband is of the, "HAVE YOU GOT ANY IDEA HOW MUCH THAT SYSTEM COST...DON'T MESS WITH IT!" but you sound like the bread winner at your house, soooooo

Roma 4/26/2010, 11:20 pm

I spoke with the guy who inspected our septic system last year and he encouraged us to leave that area over the sand filter pretty free-and-clear so it can (basically) breathe. So, I'm leaning more towards your husband's thoughts...

And I found some cool raised beds (about waist high) that are in a V-shape and completely off the ground (read: no moles or critters) and would be a back-saver (no bending over). They're expensive, though...unless they last about 10 years. In that case, I can justify the cost ($200 for a 6' X 2'). I don't want my carrots to end up costing say, $10 apiece! Nor do I want to damage the septic/sand filter.

Thanks for your help everyone!

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Raised Vege Beds over septic's sand filter?

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