Dead grass over corner of leach field?
#1
07-27-22, 06:40 AM
Dead grass over corner of leach field?
Conventional septic system with leach field in front yard, system is ~28 years old; I confess I have not had it pumped in quite some time. Side note: The city keeps making noises about extending water & sewer into the neighborhood, but no action on that yet. First saw this last summer, had a small area of dead grass. I seeded it and got the grass to fill in, went dormant in Fall. This spring, didn't come back so I seeded it again. Germinated and came in for a while and then browned off and died. The area has gotten larger and the far corner is exactly perpendicular straight lines of nice green grass on one side and brown on the other. This would be the corner of the field furthest from the tank. There are a few weeds growing in the patch.
Because the corner demarcation lines are exactly where the edge/corner of the field are, I have to assume this is septic-related. I did some Googling and got a lot of info, but not enough to tell me what's going on and what to do about it.
So, what have I likely got going here and what are my options?
Thanks. tg
Because the corner demarcation lines are exactly where the edge/corner of the field are, I have to assume this is septic-related. I did some Googling and got a lot of info, but not enough to tell me what's going on and what to do about it.
So, what have I likely got going here and what are my options?
Thanks. tg
#2
07-27-22, 07:12 AM
Solids will exit the septic tank into the leaching field when they build up to the level of the exit pipe. Some of the solids will reduce the leaching field distribution pipe diameter reducing flow and others that make it to the earth will reduce the flow of liquid outward. Get the tank pumped. Once the earth in the field below the pipe will not pass the fluid. some fluid can rise toward the top of the earth depending on the pressure in the septic tank. It seems strange that the liquid would rise in a straight line. Once a field is plugged, the earth around it must be replaced or the field relocated .
#3
07-27-22, 07:52 AM
Group Moderator
My thought is that one of 2 things is happening. Either its killing the grass because of high nitrogen in that area... or its because the ground depth is shallow there and the ground is getting too hot, which is also killing the grass. But high nitrogen seems to make more sense if its dormant from fall through winter.
#4
07-27-22, 08:12 AM
Group Moderator
I would get a shovel and dig a hole where the grass is dying. If you want to be thorough you can take a soil sample to your county agricultural extension office and have it tested. That will tell you a lot like if there is high nitrogen or phosphorous in the soil there. Or, just look at and smell the soil. At least for the top foot it should smell like dirt and be dirt colored (brownish). If it smells like sewage or is black that can indicate a problem with the septic or leach field.
I have a chamber system leach field at my house that is relatively shallow. During summer heat & drought the grass goes dormant/brown immediately above the chambers where the soil is not as thick. It quickly re-greens with rain.
I have a chamber system leach field at my house that is relatively shallow. During summer heat & drought the grass goes dormant/brown immediately above the chambers where the soil is not as thick. It quickly re-greens with rain.
#6
07-27-22, 09:55 AM
Member
It's not really the septic system it's the drainage of the leach field. Moisture drains down away from the grass compared to areas where there isn't a leach field. For me it's the first sign that the yard needs to be watered or start hoping for rain..
cwbuff
voted this post useful.
#7
07-28-22, 07:14 AM
Not a a watering problem; we get afternoon monsoon rains 4 or 5 days a week in the summer.
Just had the pump out. Septic guy said tank was right about like they like to see, i.e. the sludge level was not way up. He poked the middle of the field and said drainage looks good. Didn't have a definitive answer for the brown patch. He said whatever I've been doing, keep doing it, because everything looks fine (besides the puzzle of the brown patch).
Just had the pump out. Septic guy said tank was right about like they like to see, i.e. the sludge level was not way up. He poked the middle of the field and said drainage looks good. Didn't have a definitive answer for the brown patch. He said whatever I've been doing, keep doing it, because everything looks fine (besides the puzzle of the brown patch).
#9
07-28-22, 08:24 AM
Group Moderator
My leach field is approx 18-24" below the surface. Even at that depth the grass immediately above goes dormant during summer. The roots simply can't go as deep as the surrounding grass. If your hitting your stone/peanuts... at a foot that is not much soil depth for an established grass. Could that spot be buried more shallow than the rest of your septic?
#10
07-28-22, 08:43 AM
Member
PD, you did not answer my question. What type of grass are you using? I can show you grass that has as little a 2" worth of growing soil that still has grass. In the heat they go dormant, but alwyas come back when the weather goes back to reasionable temps.
Hell, Scott's makes a grass that will grow on a cinderblock and stay growing throughout the year. I know this because at our store we tired it as a promotional/advertising shtick to promote sales.
I'm not saying all of the other things are not to blame, but lets start at the very lowest denominator and simplest item.
Hell, Scott's makes a grass that will grow on a cinderblock and stay growing throughout the year. I know this because at our store we tired it as a promotional/advertising shtick to promote sales.
I'm not saying all of the other things are not to blame, but lets start at the very lowest denominator and simplest item.
#11
07-29-22, 07:25 AM
MY grass, not PD's. 
I used perennial Bermuda both last summer and this summer. What grew fine last summer simply did not green back up in the spring. The replanted seed grew a little and then died. Got plenty of water and starter fertilizer. The rest of the lawn over the field is green and growing fine. It's mostly St. Augustine over the field, but there's also some Bahia and Zoysia. My next stab is going to be spreading out a layer of peat moss for moisture control and then laying some sod over that. Just going to try it in a small section, maybe half a dozen pieces.
FWIW, I'm now getting in a fine crop of weeds in the area. I'll post some pics so everyone can see what's going on.
I used perennial Bermuda both last summer and this summer. What grew fine last summer simply did not green back up in the spring. The replanted seed grew a little and then died. Got plenty of water and starter fertilizer. The rest of the lawn over the field is green and growing fine. It's mostly St. Augustine over the field, but there's also some Bahia and Zoysia. My next stab is going to be spreading out a layer of peat moss for moisture control and then laying some sod over that. Just going to try it in a small section, maybe half a dozen pieces.FWIW, I'm now getting in a fine crop of weeds in the area. I'll post some pics so everyone can see what's going on.
Norm201
voted this post useful.
#13
07-29-22, 08:11 AM
Member
Opps! Got names mixed up.
I've been seeing a lot of lawns with that brown burn out. I'm thinking some kind of bacteria or something. Back in 2019 my front lawn was almost all like that as were others. I did go to a all natuaral lawn care and it came back mostly.
I've been seeing a lot of lawns with that brown burn out. I'm thinking some kind of bacteria or something. Back in 2019 my front lawn was almost all like that as were others. I did go to a all natuaral lawn care and it came back mostly.
#14
08-03-22, 05:36 AM
My latest attack is with a liquid fungicide and also granulated lawn insect control. Couldn't think what else. I have my little test section of sod in and so far it's staying green, but it would take a while for whatever is causing the effect to work on fresh, green sod. We'll see. I'm also posting link to this in a thread over in gardening for the horticultural pros.
#16
08-03-22, 05:43 PM
Group Moderator
Why not take a soil sample and get it tested: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/F...2p2_037208.pdf
#17
08-04-22, 06:40 AM
Negative on grubs, but got the grub granuals down now, so we'll see.
Already checking on places to do soil analysis; probably find one closer than Hawaii, of course. Going away for long weekend and will resume the attack next week.
Already checking on places to do soil analysis; probably find one closer than Hawaii, of course. Going away for long weekend and will resume the attack next week.
