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Re: NWSG roots plugging drain tiles

Title: Re: NWSG roots plugging drain tiles
Jef-This is a slightly different twist, but we are almost sure that prairie grass and forb roots have plugged up our septic drain field.  It is more than 20 years old, and last year we noticed that the drainage is surfacing not far from the septic system.  There would be a definite difference in the nutrient flow which might account for the problem and we had a series dry summers which might have directed the roots straight for the water.  I have two field tiles which are under a waterway planted to switch grass and they appear to be working ok after about 20 years.  

Carl Kurtz
Central Iowa
----------
From: "Rome Hutchings" <rome.hutchings@theprairieismygarden.com>
To: <prairie@mallorn.com>
Subject: Re: NWSG roots plugging drain tiles
Date: Tue, Sep 5, 2000, 6:56 PM


My experience is not scientific but we have had native grasses and forbs planted over
the top of our septic drain field for 6 years and not had any problems.  The drain tiles
have by now surely been penetrated by little bluestem, Sideoats grama, cord grass,
big bluestem......etc
 
Rome & Lori Hutchings, Owners
The Prairie Is My Garden, Seed Co.
13633 Ferman Avenue NW
Clearwater, MN 55320
(612) 878-1694 voice
(612) 878-1720 fax
website: www.theprairieismygarden.com <http://www.theprairieismygarden.com>
general email: info@theprairieismygarden.com <mailto:info@theprairieismygarden.com>
----- Original Message -----
From: PrairieSource.com <mailto:jef@prairiesource.com>  
To: prairie@mallorn.com <mailto:prairie@mallorn.com>  
Sent: Monday, September 04, 2000 9:11 PM
Subject: NWSG roots plugging drain tiles

Does anyone have any experience or information, citations, references, etc.regarding native grasses roots plugging agricultural field tile?
 
OH DNR is promoting the planting of native grasses as filter strips but they are meeting some opposition using the theory that the roots will clog the tiles, thus rendering them useless. Any help would be appreciated.
 
Jef Hodges
 
 

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