How you can help your lawn and plants survive the drought

LAWNS

If your lawn is already gone, crispy and brown, Dave says it is time to wave the white flag. At this point, in the middle of summer (and with another heat wave coming), trying to bring the green grass back would be nearly impossible. It’s best to let it go for now and wait for fall. At that point, he recommends doing some over-seeding in preparation for a big comeback next year. Once we get back into a more normal (wetter) pattern, put down some fertilizer.

If your lawn is on the brink, there are some things you can do now in an attempt to revive it. (These tips assume that you still are allowed to water in your town)

• Water between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. not in the heat of the day
• Water once every 3 days or so and for longer amounts of time. The water needs to sink several inches into the ground, reaching the roots.
• If you don’t have an irrigation system, move the sprinklers around each day. Water one area for a long duration one day and then move to another location the following day.
• Don’t cut the lawn too short! Leave it 4 inches long at least, you may not even need to cut it at all for several weeks!

PLANTS AND BUSHES

When watering it is better to use a slow drip or mist setting for a longer duration. Soaking with a heavy stream of water tends to just run off with the soil this dry. Again, you need the water to get down several inches. Dig down and check that the soil is damp. If it isn’t, you need to water deeper.

WHAT ARE THOSE TINY SPIDERS ALL OVER MY PLANTS?

Spider mites (very tiny) LOVE the dry weather. Typically, we talk about them over winter with indoor plants because of how dry it is in our homes. This year, they are breeding outside due to the lack of water. They are so small you may not even notice them at first, but what you will see is their webbing on your plants. One of the more common places you will see them is on your phlox, but they could be anywhere.

ANYTHING GOOD COMING FROM THE DROUGHT?

YES! In fact, most farmers would tell you that this July is a thousand times better than last July. They would prefer drought to flooding rain every time. You can water to help drought but there is little you can do if you get too much rain. Too much water also breeds disease and there was a lot of that last year.

Under these conditions, Dave says crops like peaches, grapes and tomatoes should be mighty sweet and tasty (as long as they are being watered). They may be slightly smaller in size but the sugar will be more concentrated and again, there is very little disease to take them out.

The best San Antonio neighborhoods for first-time homebuyers

We’ve been told over and over that it’s impossible to buy right now, but that’s not necessarily the case. If you’re a first-timer looking for your new home, there are several San Antonio neighborhoods you should keep in mind while searching.

Keep in mind that you’ll have the most success as a first-time homebuyer if you work with an experienced agent to keep up with the competition. You’ll also want to keep an open mind and stay flexible with some of your priorities.

Redbird Ranch

Median sales price: $290,000

Distance from downtown San Antonio: 25 miles

School district: Medina Valley

At the far-west edge of San Antonio is the new-build community of Redbird Ranch, which has proven very popular with families. Homes start at $289,000 and spacious floorplans range from three to five bedrooms.

Neighborhood amenities include a park, playground, pool, walking trails, and more. It’s also a popular choice for military families because it is just 20 minutes from Lackland Air Force Base.

Wolf Creek

Median sales price: $260,000

Distance from downtown San Antonio: 13.2 miles

School district: Southwest ISD

Homes tend to sell quickly here, as the area blends the peaceful atmosphere of the suburbs with quick access to the ever-increasing amenities along 410 and Highway 151. Many of the houses were built in the ’90s, and new construction is happening here as well.

For families with children, the area has two elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school. This is another neighborhood popular with military personnel because of the nearby Lackland Air Force Base. Compared to other neighborhoods and San Antonio’s sister city of Austin, the area is reasonably priced for mid-size homes.

Leon Valley

Median sales price: $250,000

Distance from downtown San Antonio: 12.2 miles

School district: Northside ISD

This neighborhood is interesting because it is an independent municipality surrounded by San Antonio. Technically its own city, Leon Valley has its own public safety departments and even its own mayor.

Leon Valley is a gateway to many of San Antonio’s main attractions, like SeaWorld and Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Residents can easily access the Medical District that’s just three miles away and the San Antonio Airport eight miles away. Buyers will also find that they can get to jobs in the northwest sector via Bandera Road and Loop 410.

Lafayette Place

Median sales price: $179,950

Distance from downtown San Antonio: 8.8 miles

School district: Northeast ISD

This is one of the neighborhoods in San Antonio that has everything a buyer wants, according to a study from Redfin, which looked at the prominence of affordable homes, levels of inventory, an easy commute, and more. The area has two elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools.

Buyers looking at homes in Lafayette Place will find they are in close proximity to the South Texas Medical Center, the University Health System, the USAA Corporate Office, a variety of employers in downtown San Antonio, and the convenience of being next to I-10 and Loop 410. For all your shopping needs, La Cantera is less than 10 minutes away.

El Dorado

Median sales price: $260,000

Distance from downtown San Antonio: 13.6 miles

School district: North East ISD

For buyers looking for the convenience of easy neighborhood parking and close proximity to plenty of eateries, consider the El Dorado neighborhood. Houses here tend to sell for less than the median price in San Antonio, making it a good option for first-time homebuyers looking to spend less than other areas.

There’s a variety of single-family homes and newer condos, ranging from 859 square feet to 3,073 square feet. This North San Antonio neighborhood has amenities like a pool, a park, and a playground.

Stillwater Ranch

Median sales price: $353,500

Distance from downtown San Antonio: 23 miles

School district: Northside ISD

Though the price point here is higher than others on this list, Stillwater Ranch still offers luxury homes at a lower price than other areas. This master-planned community features the open and sprawling beauty of the countryside without compromising on amenities.

Residents can enjoy parkland, hike and bike trails, and nature trails, and the neighborhood also backs up to the Government Canyon State Natural Area. Additionally, there’s a tennis court, basketball courts, swimming facility, and the onsite Scarborough Elementary school.

Tobin Hill

Median sales price: $394,000

Distance from downtown San Antonio: 1.5 miles

School district: San Antonio ISD

Located conveniently close to downtown San Antonio, this is a great neighborhood for young professionals looking for a walkable, urban area. From Tobin Hill, residents can walk to Pearl, a revitalized brewery with eclectic shops and incredible restaurants that will soon feature a marketplace.

Buyers here may end up with less space than in other neighborhoods, but they will be right next to world-class shopping, amenities, and the San Antonio River. The continuing development of Tobin Hill has increased the desirability of the area for both residents and businesses.

Great Northwest

Median sales price: $232,250

Distance from downtown San Antonio: 15 miles

School district: Northside ISD

This Far West San Antonio neighborhood consists of older, more established homes at a reasonable price point that are located near I-410, Highway 151, Loop 1604, and Highway 16.

Families are attracted by the schools, pools, playgrounds, and sports facilities. For shopping, ​​​​residents can enjoy a quick trip to the Ingram Park Mall and the newly constructed Alamo Ranch Shopping Center. The area is also rapidly developing, making it a great choice for first-time homebuyers looking to purchase a home now. Buyers looking in this area may also want to consider the nearby Northwest Crossing for many of the same reasons.

Bridgewood

Median sales price: $270,000

Distance from downtown San Antonio: 25 miles

School district: Northside ISD

If the Great Northwest neighborhood appealed to you but you’re looking for newer homes, check out Bridgewood. This neighborhood in Northwest San Antonio calls itself the largest community in Bexar County, and new homes are being added consistently.

Buyers who love nature should take advantage of the neighborhood’s location near Government Canyon State Park. There is a wide variety of floorplans and home sizes from which to choose, and an active homeowners association — which could be a plus or a minus, depending on your wants and needs.

Hills of Shaenfield

Median sales price: $242,000

Distance from downtown San Antonio: 22.5 miles

School district: Northside ISD

This small neighborhood in West San Antonio has a peaceful feel, with houses that vary in size and style and typically aren’t much older than 10 years.

The neighborhood has what many people look for in suburbs: a close community, a park, a playground, trails, and nearby restaurants and shopping. Additionally, the neighborhood is close to the Alamo Ranch Shopping Center.

Wildhorse

Median sales price: $286,000

Distance from downtown San Antonio: 8.7 miles

School district: Northside ISD

The Wildhorse neighborhood is a good middle ground for many first-time homebuyers. It is close to downtown San Antonio without feeling too busy, a large number of the homes tend to be newer builds, and there’s plenty to do, including a theme park. There’s also a new pool and a nearby H-E-B.

Wildhorse blends the beauty of the Hill Country with the convenience of city life. The neighborhood is also close to Highway 151 and Interstate-10, so residents can easily access the rest of Central Texas. The neighborhood boasts schools as well as nearby employers like the Medical Center, USAA, and Lackland Air Force Base.

The Arbor at Sonoma Ranch

Median sales price: $320,100

Distance from downtown San Antonio: 19 miles

School district: Northside ISD

This neighborhood near The University of Texas at San Antonio has several schools for students of all ages. It sits among gated communities, and is close to shopping and dining opportunities.

The Arbor is right near 1604, so residents can quickly access attractions like Six Flags Fiesta Texas. This neighborhood is in Helotes, which is where the Floore Country Store is located. Willie Nelson fans might recognize this as the place where he got his start, and you’ll still find live music and dancing here.