Life is a gamble and every action we take has some risk involved. Going to the store to buy your vegetables incurs the risk of being in an accident. Growing your own vegetables on a drainfield creates a possibility of bacterial or viral contamination and/or damage to the septic system. Here are some websites that say it's not a good idea to plant edible crops on drainfields. You will also find people who have done it with no adverse effects. The decision is yours. Weigh the odds and do what you think is right. As for me, I'd rather not eat anything grown on my septic drainfield and even though we are in the business, I wouldn't want to run the risk of causing a failure of the system for the sake of my vegetable garden. JMHO. http://www.unce.unr.edu/publications/files/ho/2007/fs0732.pdf http://extension.missouri.edu/xplor/qa/water0007.htm http://info.ag.uidaho.edu/Resources/PDFs/CIS1027.pdf http://www.nsfc.wvu.edu/smart/training/toolkit/page2/onsite/Guide_SepticSystemOwner.pdf http://www.phd1.idaho.gov/home/publicinfo/documents/CareandMaintenanceofSeptic.pdf http://www.wichita.gov/CityOffices/Environmental/WaterQuality/Septic_Systems.htm

welcome!!! two new acres .. and you are fixated on this BAD SPOT ... i had the same problem when i moved to acreage ... enjoy this summer working on the other 1.98 acres ... you just moved in.. how about .. not unlike a scientific experiment.. you spend the next year or two.. studying this spot.. and its YEAR ROUND water patterns ... and THEN think about planting something there.. you just moved in.. how have you come to conclusions at this point???? .. heck i am in adrian MI. and in a normal spring.. the ground would have thawed barely last week ... and it is not uncommon to have standing water at such time ... if water does actually remain a year round issue.. how about you fill in the hole.. regrade.. or whatever.. and then think about planting there... and i am pretty sure.. no tree .. will fix a drainage or water issue ... come on wench.. you're a lab rat.. think analytically ... my total GUESS... its a transitory spring issue.. and most likely.. you are not limited as to plant choice.. depending on your native soil structure ... i would start .. by digging a hole .. and finding out if you are dealing with clay .... and then do a perk test.. as to drainage in your garden ... then the yearly water pattern ... and then a plant ... i hope that is gentle enough.. i got wound up on your lab-ness ... and analogizing to that ... good luck ... ken

From: landscape-solutions-for-you.com: How Close To Plant Oleander To Septic Tank by: Kimberly Hi, Kimberly here from landscape solutions for you. Thank you for asking the question on your Oleander. This is a great question that has been asked before. Oleander is a sub-tropical to tropical plant that needs good drainage and a fair amount of sunlight. The roots will spread, but can be suited for border shrubs and foundations. As far as being planted close to your septic tank and leach field. I would recommend plant the Oleander about five to ten feet away from both if possible. This is a safety measure to make sure your Oleander grows healthy. The Oleander is a beautiful plant specimen but poisonous to humans and animals. One should never burn Oleander branches, as they are toxic. If you have the space, go ahead and plant Oleander five to ten feet away. You can add some organic mushroom compost to the soil. This is a wonderful organic fertilizer that will last up to one year. The best of luck to you and let us know how your Oleander does. You can also plant Oleander, depending on the variety, in a container. Thanks again for asking the question and feel free to ask anytime. Have a great day! Kimberly

I just moved into a new home and we have a septic system and drain field. I checked out the Virgina COOP Extension and they have good advice. But, my drain field is on my front lawn - and I know exactly where it is because when they seeded and mulched my front lawn, you can see where the drain field is because it was dryer and the seed didn't sprout as fast as other places. Our soil here is good but filled with small rocks. It has a lot of clay, but not as much as my old home. So far I'm planting shrubs and perennials near the house - which is over the pipe going out to the septic tank. I've also planted a Bald Cypress about 50 feet up hill from the septic tank cover and a Dawn Redwood about 70 feet up hill from the septic tank cover. I feel they are both far enough away from the drain field. I'm also planting some smaller varieties of maples at the end of my lot - and that's about 50 - 60 feet from the end of the drain field. From what I've read I should have no problems. The main drain field will only have grass over it - that's all. But if I have a problem with the grass there, I think I'll put in a bed of Daylilies or something that will cover and add beauty to the area. Good luck with your Chestnut tree - they are beautiful trees and I hate seeing it cut down, but if it's screwing up your septic system, you have to do it. Ken