Re: Septic System Demo Garden

Delighted you've had a good perc.  Can see your desire for some taller
plants and agree with the need in order to have an interesting border.  If
you can get 24" of soil over the drain trenches and have a fair amount of
space in between them, then a small tree might do fine and not invade the
trenches too much.  

But, what about some of the really tall ornamental grasses to give you some
height.  I don't know about all of their root systems, but Miscanthus roots
don't seem to go down all that far - just create a wide incredibly
congested system.  

Seems I'm always reading about really tall perennials that *must* have sun
to thrive.  Can't name a bunch right off as I can't grow them :-( not
having the right conditions.  I know they die down in winter and aren't
evergreen, but if you used a bunch of them and only a couple of tall woody
plants, it might be better for your drainfields.  Just a thought.

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
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----------
> From: Diana L. Politika <diana@olympus.net>
> Date: Sunday, August 09, 1998 11:41 AM

> I called the construction outfit yesterday.  he said there is 15-20
> inches of soil over the TOP of the drainrock.  And I believe that the
> design manual I have states that there can be up to 24" or so.  I was
> going to have good (tho my soil is very good) soil with compost,
> topsoil, peat and etc; etc; brought in to raise the level to the maximum
> allowed.
> > 
> Yes....but, there are 4 drain trenches, stretching from 35 to 65 feet in
> length.  The island of untouched soil between the trenches might be able
> to hold a small tree (Styrax japonica, or the styrax obassia that I am
> holding which is about 8' tall and very well shaped.  Or perhaps the
> Davidia that I am also holding for personal use.)

> It's just that I want a very dimensional garden, with height and weight,
> and it's very hard to do if the entire thing is restricted to perennials
> and their limitations of height, not to mention the restrictions
> encountered in view of the entire thing being in full sun, sans trees.
> 
> > When you had your perk test done, what was the result?  Grand perk, OK
perk
> > or just barely passed the test?
> Grand Perk.  The installer said I could probably run a hotel off it.
(snip)

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