what can I plant on my septic drain field? I'll be in SE New Mexico

[NMDemDist2]

(think Texas panhandle) and I really don't want grass, too much maintence. I looked into prarie grasses but they have long taproots and i'm afraid they'll tear up the pipe

maybe I should plan my raised veggie beds there? the drain field runs along the eastern property line on the south side of the house

any suggestions anyone?

[Gato Moteado]

1. i didn't think you are supposed to plant edibles on a septic....

...drain field.

how about something with superficial roots like agave?

[NMDemDist2]

2. agave sounds nice or the folks in the rural forum suggested native

wildflowers that sound nice there too

[Gato Moteado]

3. as yes.....native wildflowers......

if your climate is similar to west texas try a lot of the native salvias and the crossed salvia called indigo spires. that should bring in tons of hummingbirds.

purple echinacea might also be native there and it's drought tolerant.

also, try some mexican sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia) as it is a fast growing, reseeding annual that will quickly produce huge bright orange blooms that hummers and butterflies cannot resist.

if you're anywhere along the migration path for the monarch butterflies, plant the native milkweed (Asclepias asperula is a good one for arid parts of texas so it should be good in AZ). supplement this with some gregg's blue mist (Eupatorium greggii) and you'll have loads of monarchs and other butterflies.

what types of birds have you seen at the elevation you're at?

[NMDemDist2]

4. I'm not there yet, but plan on keeping a diary for a year before I do

any major plantings. I can throw wildflowers out there though pretty quick. the elev is 3100 feet

thanks so much for the extensive response, i'll definately check into all those varieties :bounce:

[mitchtv]

5. I had some long leach lines

covered in Sourdock, I planted clover to spread and also I had some pumpkins do well on the lines(I didn't eat, but they looked great in the field.