Noticed my septic tank in Pacific Northwest will not grow grass over it. I
dug out all the overlying dirt to investigate, but other than some chunky
rocks (not the cause of the bare area, but certainly not helping either) and
moist dirt directly atop the tank, I am at a loss.

Is it possible that the exhaust from the tank is noxious to the grass?
Seems odd to me b/c I thought plants thrived when exposed to such an
environment.

Thoughts on the cause and suggestions on what to do to get the grass growing
for once? Any special dirt treatment?
tia
bob

here in NJ grass loves growing over septic tanks , but septic tank in
Pacific Northwest may have some thing in moist overlying dirt may react with
septic tank water Or is there just too much water over the septic tank and
the grass is under tomuch stress.
rich brandstetter

B&H wrote in message ...
Is it possible that the exhaust from the tank is noxious to the grass?
Seems odd to me b/c I thought plants thrived when exposed to such an
environment.

Thoughts on the cause and suggestions on what to do to get the grass
growing
for once? Any special dirt treatment?
tia
bob

"Richard Brandstetter" wrote in message
...
here in NJ grass loves growing over septic tanks , but septic tank in
Pacific Northwest may have some thing in moist overlying dirt may react
with
septic tank water Or is there just too much water over the septic tank and
the grass is under tomuch stress.
rich brandstetter

Shouldn't be any "water" (effluent) coming up out of the tank - just a
little "heat".
The effluent should be exiting through a pipe into a leach field or
something similar.


B&H wrote in message ...
Is it possible that the exhaust from the tank is noxious to the grass?
Seems odd to me b/c I thought plants thrived when exposed to such an
environment.

Thoughts on the cause and suggestions on what to do to get the grass
growing
for once? Any special dirt treatment?
tia
bob

How far underground is the tank? If the grass isn't growing above the lid of
the tank maybe the top of the lid is only a few inches under the ground and
the grass doesn't get a good root system going there??? Just a thought. I
agree with a previous post the leach field should take away all water and
gas and if it doesn't then it would show up in your basement.IMHO


"Srgnt Bilko" wrote in message
news

"Richard Brandstetter" wrote in
message
...
here in NJ grass loves growing over septic tanks , but septic tank in
Pacific Northwest may have some thing in moist overlying dirt may react
with
septic tank water Or is there just too much water over the septic tank
and
the grass is under tomuch stress.
rich brandstetter

Shouldn't be any "water" (effluent) coming up out of the tank - just a
little "heat".
The effluent should be exiting through a pipe into a leach field or
something similar.


B&H wrote in message ...
Is it possible that the exhaust from the tank is noxious to the grass?
Seems odd to me b/c I thought plants thrived when exposed to such an
environment.

Thoughts on the cause and suggestions on what to do to get the grass
growing
for once? Any special dirt treatment?
tia
bob

When installed, the installers took the soil that came out of the hole and
used it as topsoil.

I'd dig out the area in question a few inches and get rid of that soil, and
get some fresh loam.

-------------------------
www.askalandscaper.com
"B&H" wrote in message
...
Noticed my septic tank in Pacific Northwest will not grow grass over it.
I
dug out all the overlying dirt to investigate, but other than some chunky
rocks (not the cause of the bare area, but certainly not helping either)
and
moist dirt directly atop the tank, I am at a loss.

Is it possible that the exhaust from the tank is noxious to the grass?
Seems odd to me b/c I thought plants thrived when exposed to such an
environment.

Thoughts on the cause and suggestions on what to do to get the grass
growing
for once? Any special dirt treatment?
tia
bob

"Danny" wrote in message
...
When installed, the installers took the soil that came out of the hole and
used it as topsoil.

I'd dig out the area in question a few inches and get rid of that soil,
and
get some fresh loam.


On the other hand, I have grass growing prolifically in some of the worse
soil you ever saw - clay that doesn't drain, hardens like cement and splits
open 1" wide cracks in summer heat. I've never seeded - this is just very
old grass from about 20 years ago that was left to grow to "hay" before I
got there. Brush hogged it down and just keep mowing. If I till a spot and
leave it go a year it will grow right back - same with burning. Can't kill
the damn stuff.


-------------------------
www.askalandscaper.com
"B&H" wrote in message
...
Noticed my septic tank in Pacific Northwest will not grow grass over it.
I
dug out all the overlying dirt to investigate, but other than some
chunky
rocks (not the cause of the bare area, but certainly not helping either)
and
moist dirt directly atop the tank, I am at a loss.

Is it possible that the exhaust from the tank is noxious to the grass?
Seems odd to me b/c I thought plants thrived when exposed to such an
environment.

Thoughts on the cause and suggestions on what to do to get the grass
growing
for once? Any special dirt treatment?
tia
bob

When you replace the soil over the septic tank, mix in a large bag of
peat moss so that it will hold more water in the soil.

Also, if the thing still browns out over the septic tank because the
tank is not set low enough, and the peat moss does not help, you can
always go to plan B which is to actually build up the soil a little
and make a small flower bed right over the tank. That way you can add
another foot of soil and instead of groaning about the browned out
area can plant a bed of ornamental grass or something. Just put a
little stake or something in the soil so that you always locate the
opening to the tank when you need to have it pumped. It makes no
difference whatsoever in the scheme of things if you have to just dig
down a bit more to get to the tank cover opening, and if you had to
disturb a piece of sod with some perennials planted in it, then just
do that and put them back in. It only takes an extra three minutes.

Dennis

I have been having the same issue here in Massachusetts. I have tried adding fresh loam on top of the existing dirt. I currently have 10 - -12" of dirt above the tank lid. Grass will initially grow, but then eventually die and become very patchy. I have been trying for 4 years now.

I have noticed that the dirt around the area is very dry. I have an irrigation system, and water in the early morning hours.

The theory is that there is not enough fresh dirt above the tank and therefore can't hold enough water/ drys out too quickly....

I also make sure to add lime to my lawn each year, along with professional fertilizer services

I'm tried of spending hundreds of dollars every year on grass seed and hours trying to get this to work.

I give up!!!! (Unless someone has a really good idea...)