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AVCSG Newsletter #21

Updated: Jul 31

 Email: altavistasustainabilitygroup@gmail.com


Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sustainaltavista/


Instagram: @SustainAltaVista


Use this link to join our Signal Chat group!

NEWS

Thank you for everyone who came out to our Cool Summer Event: Paletas in the Park! It was nice to see some familiar faces and new ones! Thank you Nora for helping us setup, and Jerry for bringing croquet & a box kite (we look forward to more wind!). We had a binder of Beat the Heat summer tips, home resiliency projects, mosquito dunk bucket, cornhole, giveaways, and of course, plenty of paletas!!!!


Our next event is in October, so stay tuned for updates on that! Lately we've been prepping our gardens for fall (see below), and planning out more events, info, and more for you all!


SAWS Fall Landscape Coupon is still accepting applications!

Click here to learn more.


I'm keeping our Summer Tips going, because they are too good to forget:

– Seal windows and doors to save on electricity; every little bit of stopping cold air out and hot air in helps to reduce the energy exchange. Tape it, caulk it, block it; you know what you have to do


– Change HVAC air filters; keep your air filters changed out no more than 3 months (that's a lot!) at a time. Dirty air filters reduce the air exchange and create more allergens, including dust, in your home.


– Mow to no less than 4 inches; the code is 12 inches, and while most neighbors like to cut really short to the ground, when we hit the hot summer temps, the grass/weeds die off quickly and turn into dust/allergens. The short, close to ground cut also kills any ecosystem that you might have to retain water and keep insects. Also, when weeds and grass are allowed to grow to a fuller size than they enrich the soil and are easier to pull up (natural garden method).


– Summer prep for fall seeding; Solarization uses clear plastic to create a greenhouse effect that superheats the soil to kill weed seeds and pests. Occultation uses black or opaque tarps to completely block light, starving plants and forcing weeds to germinate and die in the dark. Kill off any sections of lawn by using one of these methods during our high temp, hot summers!


We’ll have many opportunities for volunteering working on gardens and easement space – connect with us on FB page or through Signal Chat.


Keep the COSA Project Cool Summer Program info handy for yourself and your neighbors: https://www.sanantonio.gov/humanservices/SeniorServices/ProjectCool


Check this out or call 211 to see if you qualify for a box fan (60+ yrs old, resident, and in need), and also for those who want to donate.


Do you have ideas for projects and workshops? Our Planning Team needs help with finding leaders who can help us expand our programs and services. Please reach out with any interest in email: altavistasustainabilitygroup@gmail.com.


Click here for COSA Office of Sustainability Low-Income E-Bike Rebate Program!

COMMUNITY CONNECTORS



Please consider helping AVCSG strengthen our community by volunteering as a Community Connector. The idea is that there is one person on each block that will help get information to their neighbors and build relationships with those who need the connection. Many neighbors are not on social media and feel isolated without access to community programs.


to connect with us on this and other ways to be involved!

GARDEN CLUB

Flowers and vegetables coming to and end in your garden? Here's what to do next!


HARVEST YOUR SEEDS (will vary slightly from flower to flower)

  • Wait until the flower heads turn brown and feel dry and crispy. This step is important, seeds need time to fully mature before harvesting.

  • Snip off the dry flower heads.

  • Gently pull back the dried petals to reveal the seeds at the base of the flower. Mature seeds are often dark brown or black, though color can vary by plant.

  • Store seeds in a paper envelope in a cool, dry place. Keep them completely dry, and avoid storing them in plastic, which can trap moisture and lead to mold.


PRUNING

  • Prune your roses as appropriate for your growing season and variety.

  • Trim back leggy petunias and impatiens to encourage fresh growth.

  • Thin overcrowded spring-blooming bulbs if needed.


WATERING, FEEDING, PREPPING

  • Remove spent vegetable plants that have finished producing.

  • Apply mulch around trees and shrubs to help conserve soil moisture.

  • Water newly planted trees once a week during their first growing season, adjusting as needed for rainfall and soil conditions.

  • Grasses may require supplemental watering to stay green during periods of extreme heat.

  • Clean up garden beds by removing dead plants, and begin replenishing your soil with compost.

  • Mix compost into the top 2–4 inches of soil before planting transplants.

  • Fertilize and mulch transplants with about 2 inches of mulch. Avoid mulching directly over newly planted seeds. Water transplants and newly sown seeds regularly until they become established.

  • Feed container plants with a water-soluble fertilizer according to the product directions.

  • Keep an eye on leafy plants during hot weather, they may need more frequent watering.

  • Fertilize your roses if they are actively growing.


See below for more information on feeding your soil.


PLANTING

  • Tomatoes and peppers from transplants in early August.

  • Corn and beans from seed later in August.

  • Pumpkins (check the maturity date for your desired harvest).

  • Cucumbers, eggplant, lima beans, black-eyed peas, peppers, and squash.

  • Palms and succulents.


If you're planning a wildflower display, save those seeds a little longer - we'll be planting them in another month or two.


I found this great document on soil preparation from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension:


Join our signal group to ask questions, share photos, and inspire each other!

Use this link to join our Signal Chat group.

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

We are going to share a recipe each month that uses something our neighbors have planted in their gardens. Right click to download.


If you have any submissions, shoot us an email!

ALTA VISTA MOVES

Get Ready! Get Moving!


Meet up weekly on Thursdays at 7pm at the AV Community Micro Garden at the corner of N Flores and Agarita. Bring a small trash bag and gloves to pick up trash along the route - only if you want, we thought it'd be a great idea because there’s so much of it! Kids and family groups are more than welcome. 


We’ll head out on a walk to San Pedro Springs Park, follow the trail around one time, and head back. Those who wish to run or bike are more than welcome to start off with the group. Connect with us if you’d like to lead a group walk, bike, run, or stay with those who want to use the time for stretching or light yoga.


Follow us on social media for weekly reminders! ***Weather Permitting***

INDOOR FOOD PANTRY

AVCSG has partnered with Midtown Meetup to support an indoor food pantry!


The food pantry has shelves for dry goods, canned foods, and a small fridge space for fresh produce and eggs. Please consider donating food to the food pantry when you can and take what you need!

M-F 3pm - 1am and Sat-Sun 12pm - 1am


AVCSG POP UPS

Looking forward to October - we’re moving this to the fall to line up with the next planting season and round of SAWS Water Saver Coupons and CPS Tree Rebates!

LOCAL BUSINESS & ORGANIZATIONS

Click here to support neighborhood local business and organizations.


Please forward our newsletter to a neighbor as an invite to have them sign up by emailing us to be included in our directory. Spanish speaking? We need a volunteer who can translate our materials! We’re 121 neighbors strong so far!


Copyright (C) 2026 Alta Vista Community Sustainability Group. All rights reserved.


 
 
 

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