BUILD & BLOOM - 2023 Home & Garden Guide -Spring/Summer 2023

ABOUT THE COVER : Sophisticated, transitional Hill Country Home thoughtfully built by Fleener Greathouse Builders and Shayna Thompson of Willow Creek Design. Interior Design by Augustine St. Clair Interiors. Photography by Josh Huskin and Dovetail.

Landscaping for drought

By Deborah Simmons President, Fredericksburg Chapter NPSOT

As Fredericksburg prepares to enter Level 4 water restrictions, our yards will have to make do with less watering. Xeriscaping is the term given to landscaping with low water use in mind. What does this word conjure in your mind? A yard covered

with gravel and two lonely cacti sticking up? If so, I have good news. You can have a lovely yard with low-care, drought tolerant plants.

The key to this approach: plant natives. Native plants are plants that were growing in our area on their own before the European settlers arrived. They are adapted for our climate and soil conditions. What couldn’t survive without tending,

died. What lived became our native plants.

Native trees include towering pecans, cypress, cedar elms, cottonwood, and western soapberry.

If your place can’t handle the full-grown size of large trees, choose smaller flowering species like goldenball, Eve’s necklace, anacacho orchid and desert willow. Well adapted to our area, these trees are unperturbed by the Hill Country’s cycles of heat and cold, flood and drought. You can grow native trees from seed or buy small seedlings.

Plant trees in the fall, which gives the root systems all winter to develop before they have to cope with summer heat.

Flower beds with native plants are full of autumn sage, flame acanthus, blue mist flower, blackfoot daisies, coneflowers and fall asters.

Choose an array of plants that flower from the first warm day of spring until the first frost of winter. Buy small plants, which transplant more reliably, and plant in the coolest part of the day. Water them in, especially in the first week.

They may need supplemental water to get them through the first summer, but once established, they are tough as nails.

Some people recommend eliminating lawns to create less water use in the garden, but lawns too can be drought tolerant. If you sod with a grass adapted for a wetter climate, it will die without watering.

Instead, plant local native grasses: Blue grama, buffalograss and curly mesquite grass. Some of these grasses have roots that extend six feet into the ground. Compare this to Bermuda grass, which turns brown when its one- to twoinch roots can’t reach water.

Native grasses can stay green all summer long. Some don’t require mowing. For those that do, mow them with the blade set higher. Taller grass cools and shades the ground, reducing evaporation.

If open to a softer look than a traditional lawn, plant a meadow. A meadow has the short height of a lawn but includes broadleaf plants in addition to grasses. Little plants

like peppergrass, tube young, and menodora can augment the grasses in your meadow, creating a lawn-like look that is visually distinct from the beds, comfortable to walk on, and more visually interesting than grasses alone.

Using native trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses is not a reluctant compromise we are forced to make to reduce water use. A native garden is less work, more innovative, and more attractive than a sterile rectangular hedge on either side of the front door.

Native plants also attract desirable wildlife. Birds come for the berries and seeds. Butterflies and hummingbirds visit the flowers gathering pollen and nectar. In even the smallest of gardens, you can build a tiny community of critters.

The need to restrict water use is a challenge, but it is also an opportunity to be more creative and experimental with our gardens. You don’t need a master plan or a certified professional.

Plant a few natives. See how they do. Add a few more. A vibrant native landscape will begin to appear. If the city requires more cutbacks in water use, you will be able do your part without sacrificing a beautiful garden.

To learn more about gardening with native plants, drop by

a meeting of the Fredericksburg chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas.

The NPSOT chapter meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m., at St. Joseph’s Halle, 212 West San Antonio Street. Meetings are free to attend.

Peaches Peaches Peaches Peaches Peaches, I love you, oh!

By Beth McMahon Gillespie County AgriLife Extension Horticulturist

Choosing the right peach variety and location to plant it are the top two things to do to correctly grow your own peaches. We get too cold for some types of peaches and not cold enough for others. Choose a peach tree with chill hours that range between 600-800. Avoid any variety that has “Florida”, “Gulf”, “Houston” or “Tropic” in the name.

The best spot to plant your peach tree has easy access to water, full sun and at least eight inches of topsoil, if not a full foot. White hard packed caliche does not count! The deeper the soil the better the tree will grow.

When planting, you can add some compost to the soil you remove from the hole, but you should not replace or add more than 25%. Mulch the tree afterwards with three to four inches of mulch and only water when the top inch of the soil is dry.

Apply either one cup of 21-0-0 fertilizer in a three foot circle around the tree in April, May and June or 9 pounds rabbit or chicken manure split into equal portions during those three months.

Wait a month after planting before applying fertilizer, unless you are mixing compost into the planting soil. For older trees, use one pound of 21-0-0 per inch of trunk diameter split over three months or 35 lbs. rabbit or chicken manure, split over three months.

If you have a lot of vigorous growth after that first fertilization you can skip later ones.

Pruning of peaches should take place in January or February, right before bloom starts.

Your peach tree may have problems with plum curculios. These little insects inject their eggs into the peaches.

The weevil larvae tunnel around inside the fruit before emerging and dropping to the ground, growing up into adult curculios and starting the cycle again. To decrease occurrence

of this pest as well as others, remove all dropped fruit from underneath the tree.

If you have had this problem before, use either Gardentech Sevin Insect Killer Concentrate or Bonide 8 Insect Control and spray the fruit twice, two weeks apart, starting when the petals drop and the little peaches form. This should help protect the fruit from early infestations, though later infestations can occur.

Neither of these sprays are organic. Bagging the fruit with peach bags might be an organic solution that would work, but it will be time consuming.

Peach trees can live up to 20 years. If they live past that, you are doing great! Canker is a common problem as the trees age. Cankers are disease infections due to damaged trunks.

You may first notice that your tree has cankers by gummy sap oozing from the trunk. Painting the trunk with half water half latex white paint can help prevent damage. There isn’t much you can do after the tree shows signs of canker, except keep the tree healthy with appropriate watering and fertilizer.

Racoons always know when your peaches are ripe, sometimes before you do. An electric fence around the tree or watchful dog in the yard at night can keep them away so YOU get peaches this year, not them. Slick metal baffles temporarily wrapped around the trunk of the tree may help, but the racoons may outsmart these.

Fredericksburg peaches are widely sought-after because of the elevation and climate of Gillespie County, which helps produce an abundant and flavorful peach crop. – Photo courtesy of ATPI

PEACH RIPENING SCHEDULE (approximate dates)

May 10-25 — Spring Gold, Regal, Flavorich

May 20-June 5 — June Gold, Gold Prince

June 5-15 — Sentinel, Gala, Southern Pearl (white)

June 10-27 — Harvester, Cary Mac

June 20-30 — Majestic

June 25-July 12 — Loring, Bounty

June 27-July 15 — Redglobe

July 10-25 — Dixieland

July 15-30 — Redskin

July 25-Aug. 5 — Jersey Queen, Elberta

Aug. 1-12 — Flame Prince, O’Henry

Aug. 10-25 — Parade, Big Red

Home efficiency in the Hill Country

By Lauren Shults Standard-Radio Post Reporter

With the unrelenting Texas heat, home upkeep is integral for energy efficiency and keeping costs down. Investing in equipment fitted to your lifestyle and being intentional with your use can help you save.

According to the Department of Energy, about 30% of a home’s heating energy is lost through windows. John Price, owner of Hill Country Windows, says vinyl windows give between 30-50% savings as compared to traditional, single-paned windows.

Price recommends Low-E 366 windows in the Hill Country. Warmer climates, like Arizona, require a glass such as a Low-E 452 and Low-E 472 to block cold air from getting into a warmed home in colder climates.

The windows most often used in the Hill Country reflect heat and harmful light, blocking up to 95% of UV rays, which create heat. These double paned, coated

windows help keep homes cool in the summertime while preventing furnishings from fading.

As houses settle and door frames shift, cool air will more easily escape. In this case, if a new weather strip still allows indoor air to seep out, repairing the misaligned door is necessary, Price advised. He recommends homeowners check their weather strips annually and replace them if there is substantial dryness or ware.

Understanding your consumption

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) reports that homeowners who are aware of their energy use can reduce their expenses by 15%. With real-time consumption data, people are mindful of their habits and are more inclined to switch lights off or turn down the air conditioner in the summertime.

Bandera Electric offers Apollo, a survey for homes and businesses to see in real-time where energy is being

used. Apolloware ensures that owners measure before making investments. The service provides recommendations on where to cut back, and for what equipment to consider. The audit gives recommendations for improvements for building envelopes –doors, windows and insulation.

Justin McKenzie, VP of Energy Services at Bandera Electric, said “If you’re not intentional about [your energy use] and not looking at what that consumption means, you forget about it … If you don’t know how it works, how can you be a part of the solution?”

The energy audit shows energy use in real-time of equipment including pool pumps, air conditioners and well pumps. In the Apollo app, users can see how many kilowatt hours supply their home throughout the duration of a month, along with their realtime kilowatt consumption.

Although McKenzie notes behavior in the home as the most important thing to pay attention to, he encourages homeowners to look beyond what can be immediately seen for best practices. Seams around windows expand and contract and HVAC systems or ductwork may need to be updated before it breaks down and leaks. McKenzie encourages people to consider whether or not they need constant heat coming from their water heaters or if waiting 15 seconds with a tankless heater is worth the savings –which he says could be substantial.

Survey services are expanding throughout the nation and with this software, Bandera Electric has found energy efficiency has a different meaning in every climate region. The needs of a

home depend on its location, each region requesting something different from its homeowner.

“Texans need to be aware of their impact and how they, individually, are consuming power,” he commented. “We have so many people moving here but we’re not building power plants or infrastructure fast enough so we’re all going to be in a position of conservation. We hear that with water, quite often, but we need to start talking about it with energy as well. If we’re all informed and aware, we can find solutions and get ahead of it.”

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Double-pane windows installed by Hill Country Windows. – Photo courtesy of Hill Country Windows

Sun power What to know before switching to solar

By Lauren Shults Standard-Radio Post Reporter

Weather unpredictability rattles Texans about home energy supply, but using solar can settle concerns, experts say. The energy alternative provides returns and

is able to preserve home infrastructure during emergencies when the grid’s power goes out.

Hill Country Solar owner Mitch Bell said, “In emergency situations, we were making sure critical loads were always met.”

Load calculation, done prior to a property owner committing to a system, gives a mathematical

Things In A Room

understanding of how many kilowatt hours a solar system will need to support a home. Some houses may use energy more judiciously or only use solar for specific equipment, while others opt for a system that offers a large reserve.

“The goal is to create enough power that you can consume it and maybe have more to spare. The extra will go to the grid — if you’re connected — where you can sell it to your neighbor or the city,” Bell explained.

Homes using solar needn’t be completely reliant on their own energy production. They can use power from the grid, or go off-grid completely with a supplemental generator.

“You don’t interrupt the land when you put in off-grid panels,” Bell suggested.

People typically consume about 80% of the power they produce and are able to sell back about 20%, he said. Owners of solar panels can essentially become private power producers with their excess through net-metering.

City of Fredericksburg Utility Billing Officer Daisy Schneider said for every kilowatt hour given back to the grid, a property owner is given a credit toward their utility bill at a wholesale rate. Compensation differs state to state.

Additionally, although not in the city of Fredericksburg, there is a federal tax rebate which accounts for 30% of solar expenses.

Battery support

When the power goes out due to severe weather or overuse on hot summer days, a typical solar system will go off, as they’re designed to work interactively with the grid. But, with a battery supply, properties maintain a steady stream of power.

“When we build a battery bank, we like to look at days of autonomy. We like to build in at least one day of autonomy, if not two,” Bell said of battery longevity. “We’ve had people go 21 days.”

Wells, septic systems and water tanks can be supplied with battery power. Battery backups, once 20% of Bell’s business, became 80% in recent years.

Batteries’ lifespans depend on their discharge but are about 10 years. New lithium ion batteries can last about 20 or 30 years, Bell said. Solar system inverters — necessary for turning captured energy into electricity — have about a 10-15-year lifespan.

Bell reported that he has managed systems that have been in place since the late ’90s, and said, “I have systems that have been in service for almost 40 years.”

Other than keeping a charge for a battery, maintenance is minimal. Only occasional cleaning may be necessary to remove dust and debris, Bell said.

Solar panels installed by Hill Country Solar. – Photo courtesy of Hill Country Solar

Hard water quiz Find out how to treat hard water in the home

By Christine Granados Standard-Radio Post Contributo

Fredericksburg’s drinking water contains high levels of naturally occurring calcium and magnesium. These minerals come from the nine wells in the Ellenburger and Hickory Sands aquifers, according to the City of Frederickburg’s consumer confidence report.

To find out the level of care you need to take regarding your home’s water system answer these six questions from Culligan experts. Give yourself one point for each yes answer.

1. Is there limescale buildup around faucets or showerheads?

2. Is there soap scum on shower walls, bathtubs, sinks and other fixtures in the kitchen or bathroom?

3. Is there corrosion on plumbing and pipes in your home?

4. Are there streaks or spots on your dishes?

5. Is your laundry stiff after washing?

6. Do you have dry or irritated skin and/or dull hair?

Scoring system answers for homeowners that show the effects of hard water.

One point — You may have spotty dishes and those spots can be cleaned by letting the dishes soak in the sink filled with hot water and a cup of vinegar.

Two points — Hard water buildup is not yet affecting your quality of life, but it should be addressed using a vinegar solution when cleaning.

Three points — Keep an eye on shower heads and pipes that may stop working efficiently. Use a water and baking soda scrub to remove stains.

Four points — Scaly buildup may be affecting your gas and heating bills. Go to the City of Fredericksburg’s water quality report to learn more about the quality of water in the area https://www.fbgtx.org/DocumentCenter/ View/4225/2020-Drinking-H2O-Quality-Report.

Five points — It’s time to start looking into a whole house water filtration system. Schedule a free in-home water test with a local water expert, such as Culligan.

Six points — It’s time to bite the bullet and install a water softener in your home.

Homeowners, who are building their home in Gillespie County, should consider investing in a water softener, according to local experts.

Catch the rain

By Beth McMahon Gillespie County AgriLife Extension Horticulturist

It never seems to rain enough in our part of the Texas Hill Country. That’s why when it rains, we should catch as much water as we can.

Harvesting rainwater can be as simple and cheap as putting buckets underneath roof drip spots or get as complicated to be your replacement for well or city water.

There is a step between these two methods that looks better than random buckets around your house and is cheaper than a full rainwater system. This is the rain barrel, and these are quite easy to install for landscape plant watering use.

I am not the best at building things, as you can ask any of my high school ag teachers. So, the following instructions come from our AgriLife Extension Handout “Making a Rain Barrel”. Do not worry Mr. Townsend or Mr. Lumpkins, these parts should fit together better than that bookcase I made.

First, get a plastic food grade barrel that wasn’t used for soap or oil products. You can also use a plastic trash can.

Wash it out and drill a ¾-inch hole four inches from the bottom. Apply a sealant around the outside of the hole, and force or twist the spigot in.

Next, on the top of the barrel, drill a five- to six-inch-wide hole. This is where the water will enter in. After you drill this hole, you will need to drill an overflow hole.

On the side of the barrel, near the top, if using a twoinch pipe, use a 2 3/8-inch drill bit to drill in another hole. Thread in a two-inch male adaptor PVC pipe piece through this hole. The threaded end should be inside the barrel.

On the inside of the barrel, tighten a two-inch nut onto the male adaptor. Apply sealant around the male adaptor PVC piece. Then glue or screw on a 2-inch PVC elbow to the male adaptor, outside the barrel. Turn the elbow downward so the water can drain out if the barrel overfills.

Finally, around both the elbow and top hole, glue some screening to keep out insects like mosquitoes. Allow the sealant to dry before use. For those without power tools or crafting skills, you can purchase pre-made rain barrels.

Sometimes HOAs have regulations on where items like rain barrels can be placed. If you have an HOA in your neighborhood, check these restrictions first so you do not

have to drain the water from the rain barrel to move it later.

To make the rain barrel look more attractive and help it to last longer, you can paint the barrel after lightly sanding it. Or you can try hiding it with a fence or getting a rain barrel disguise. The fake rock look is an option, though these never fool anyone into thinking they are real rocks.

Rain barrels should be dark colored so that algae cannot grow easily. Dirt and debris may get in, so it’s best if you wash them out once a year.

The best location for your rain barrel is under a gutter or if your house is gutter-less, where two roof slants meet. Rain chains can help guide water into the barrel if you do not have gutters, but you will have water loss with this method.

Make sure your foundation is steady and flat where you locate the rain barrel. A full 50-gallon barrel can weigh up to 400 pounds. It’s also best to elevate them somewhat. This makes it easier to work underneath them and gives you a little water pressure.

One has to have rain to catch water for the rain barrel, but fortunately it doesn’t take much. According to AgriLife Extension’s “Making a Rain Barrel”, an inch of rain that falls on one square foot of roof can yield about 0.6 gallons of water. If you were to funnel all the water from a 1,000-square-foot roof, you could catch up to six hundred gallons of water from an inch of rain.

You should wait for it to rain though. Using your hose to spray your roof so it fills up the barrel is cheating and should not be done to make yourself feel better about the lack of rain.

If you have any questions about rain barrels or would like pictures on how to make one, please contact me at 830-9973452, or by email at: Elizabeth.mcmahon@ag.tamu.edu

Is your bathroom safe?

Danger might not be the first word to come to mind when individuals consider their bathrooms, but perhaps it should be? After all, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each year more than 1.5 million aging adults visit emergency rooms for fall-related injuries, many of which occur in the bathroom.

Many falls and spills that occur in the bathroom can be prevented. Seniors or their loved ones can make some minor adjustments to bathrooms so falls are less likely to happen.

INSTALL GRAB BARS in the shower and bath and elsewhere, as necessary. Grab bars make it easier for aging men and women to get into and out of the shower or the tub by giving them something to hold onto. This can be especially helpful for seniors who must step up and over their tubs to bathe. Though they’re primarily used in showers and tubs, grab bars also can be installed alongside toilets for seniors who

could use a little help sitting down and getting up from their toilets. AARP notes that sheltering arm grab bars provide the best support around toilets. Such grab bars come around both sides of the toilet and look similar to armrests.

INSTALL LED LIGHTING. Poor lighting in a bathroom can make it hard for seniors to see, which can make them more vulnerable to slips and falls. That’s especially so for seniors who find themselves making frequent bathroom visits overnight. Even bathrooms with seemingly adequate lighting may be dangerous if they feature dated light fixtures that rely on incandescent bulbs to light the room. Incandescent bulbs burn out with greater frequency than LED alternatives, which can last for years. The longer bulbs last, the less often seniors need to change them, which also reduces their risk for injury. In addition to replacing traditional fixtures with LED alternatives, individuals can plug in LED night lights that make it easy to see when making nighttime visits to the bathroom.

UTILIZE NON-SLIP BATH MATS.

Non-slip bath mats often utilize rubberbacked liners to ensure the mats stay put even when floors get wet or damp from condensation after a hot bath or shower. Non-slip mats can be placed where individuals will enter and exit the shower and even by the toilet and sink so individuals always feel steady on their feet.

CLEAN BATHROOMS

REGULARLY. Bathroom surfaces can grow slippery from soap scum, condensation and previous spills. Prompt and routine cleaning can reduce the likelihood that seniors will fall in their bathrooms. Seniors who have difficulty keeping up with household cleaning can hire a cleaning service or ask a younger relative to help them keep their bathrooms clean and safe.

Seniors can fall anywhere in a home, but may be more likely to do so in a bathroom. Various measures can help make bathrooms safer for aging individuals.

Local builder creates family haven over time

By Annie Blakely Standard-Radio Post Contributor

Over 10 years, Fredericksburg residents David and Robin Thompson have created a sanctuary for their family of eight children, all of whom are homeschooled and under the age of 16.

“We wanted to have as little debt as possible, so we saved as much as we could toward our house and completed most of the work ourselves, from drafting the plans to construction and finish-out,” Thompson said.

Step by step, the couple created their 6,000 sq. ft. home, which features 7 bedrooms, 5½

bathrooms, a schoolroom, office, playroom, home theater and a spacious open-concept living area with kitchen and dining spaces.

They made sacrifices along the way such as living in an older, 1,300 sq. ft. mobile home for seven years so they could be on site and save money.

“We drove an old LCRA work van that was covered in sunflower-seed shells and then a rusty, old shuttle bus,” Robin said.

“We stored our holiday decor, golf clubs, tools, and other miscellaneous stuff above our chicken coop. Our dirt driveway was so bumpy the mail lady had to have her bearings repacked.”

David first became interested in designing and

David and Robin Thompson embarked on a 10-year patient process to build a home to accommodate their needs and their eight children, from left, Hope, Jessa, Rhett, Brielle, Abby, Jed, Haven and Nate. – Submitted photo

building as a teenager growing up in Fredericksburg. After earning a degree in architecture from UTSA in 2008, he started Fusion Master Builders, a Fredericksburg-based construction company.

“I had a few construction jobs over the summer or after school. I also took a drafting and design class at Fredericksburg High School and was recommended to a local carpenter by the drafting teacher to help him with some hand-drawn plans. I learned a lot and realized that I had a knack for this type of work.”

From the frame up

In creating their family home, David, 40, did most of the physical work himself to keep costs down.

“Basically, everything that went into this house, I had my hands on in one way or another,” David said. “We poured the slab and did underground

plumbing first. Then we let it sit for about a year before I started framing. I framed the entire downstairs either by myself or with one other guy’s help. After that, we set floor trusses, then I brought in my framing crew, and we decked the second story, framed the second story walls and roof, and got it all dried in.

“Then we started on siding, painting, roofing, electrical, etc. I installed HVAC ducting, learned how to wire a house, and helped run plumbing.”

The couple advanced in lockstep through each stage of construction, all while bearing and raising their eight children.

“I tied rebar with my wife and then seven-year-old son and laid tile with my young daughters,” said David. “We planned and saved up money for three and a half years before breaking ground, and building took another three and a half. We added a front yard two years later, and a year

after that we got our backyard space, added two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a theater room.”

Before the Thompsons were engaged, they had talked about building a house on family property.

“We changed the site once and the plan many times before we had a design we thought best fit our growing family,” Robin said.

Robin, 41, is a nurse by training and has enjoyed working on floor plans and house designs since she was a child.

She learned to use David’s design software, Chief Architect, and did a lot of the computer and design work while David checked that everything was structurally sound and buildable.

Features for the family

Unique features of their expansive, modern farmhouse include a door

The Thompsons’ home is perfectly fitted to suit the needs of their kids and their lifestyle. – Submitted photo

from the garage into the pantry for the family’s ample grocery needs, and an extra-spacious laundry room that can house two washers and two dryers, plus a drinkingwater fountain near the kitchen. All these ideas were Robin’s.

“I thought that it would save us from having to use and wash cups all the time,” Robin said.

Their oldest child, Nate Thompson, 15, has enjoyed, “getting to hear the plans and help give input and ideas about the house before it was done,” he said.

Nowadays, he most enjoys the theater room and is a frequent user of the water fountain. But he made sacrifices, too.

“He shared his room with a sister for 11 years before he got his own room,” Robin said.

Since the second story addition was completed in 2022, the four older children have their own rooms. Prior to that, the unfinished space was used as an attic.

A central feature of the 1,500 sq. ft. addition is the theater room, complete with a 10-foot screen, 4K projector, 12 reclining theater seats, a popcorn machine, concession area and Dolby Atmos surround sound.

“It’s gotten really expensive to go to the movies,” Robin said. “We can have all the little ones making noise and not disturb anybody.”

With such a large family and the current costs at movie theaters, the Thompson family prioritized building a movie room complete with popcorn maker and theater-like accommodations. – Standard-Radio Post/Brent Burgess

Timeline

• Moved onto property - June 2012.

• Broke ground on house - August 2015.

• Poured concrete - March 2016.

• Began framing - December 2016.

• Moved in - March 2019

• Added front yard - June 2021.

• Finished out 1,500 sq. ft. on the second floor – 2022.

• Improved the backyard – 2022.

Now that they have the home they long dreamed of and worked for, the family most enjoys spending time in their backyard space, cooking in their kitchen, and family movie nights in the theater.

While the older children lived through it, Robin said she hopes their younger children will realize how she and David created their current reality one step at a time.

“We had to work and save and plan and be patient,” Robin said. “I want them, when they start out their lives, not to expect to have it all.”

David added, “People are financing out the ear for stuff they can’t pay for. You don’t have to have it all now.”

Building forward

The Thompsons still have goals to work toward. Next, they plan to improve their driveway and add an outdoor pavilion on the property.

“God gave us the desire to trust Him, and He has provided for our needs every step of the way,” Robin said. “I love seeing our children enjoy the home we have all worked on and dreamed about.”

Fencing

By Cary Burgess Standard-Radio Post Reporter

Jeff Dittmar is the owner of Jeff Dittmar Fencing and he has been doing fencing projects for over 25 years in the Fredericksburg area.

Dittmar was born and raised here and graduated from Fredericksburg High School.

Dittmar’s experience growing up locally has helped him prepare for fencing projects in many types of terrain across the entire county.

Dittmar offered advice to those who are looking at

fencing projects during the spring and summer season.

First thing you need to do

Dittmar said it may seem obvious, but the first thing you need to do is figure out exactly where your property line is located.

“The first thing you need to do is determine your property line,” Dittmar said. “A lot of people, to be honest with you, don’t know what they bought. Property lines define what you can and cannot do. There are a lot of rules in town as far as setbacks. Different subdivisions have different rules and HOA’s (homeowner’s association) that want to weigh in on what you can and cannot do.”

For that reason, Dittmar says you should do the research ahead of time before you call a fencing company to come out.

“Find your property line and read your deed restrictions and go from there,” Dittmar said.

Know what’s under the ground

Dittmar said people need to have their yard or property inspected for underground electrical lines,

gas lines and water pipes.

“When you are having new construction done, make a map of what you have underground,” Dittmar said. “By law, you have to call 8-1-1. Anytime you dig more than 16 inches deep, you are supposed to call 8-1-1. That’s the law.”

The purpose of the fence

Once the basics are taken care of, property owners must determine what the purpose of the fence will be.

“The first thing I ask a person is what is the fence for,” Dittmar said. “Is it for an animal, a dog, privacy or strictly for aesthetics? Determine what the function of your fence is going to be.”

If you live on a ranch and have cattle or farm animals, there are different options to look at.

“For cattle, you can get by with four to five barbed wires,” Dittmar said. “For sheep and goats, you need to go with more of a netting type of fence. You just need to cater to whatever you are going to put in there behind the fence.”

Dittmar compared fencing projects to building a house, especially if you are building in town or in

subdivisions.

“Anything can be done, it’s really up to your imagination,” Dittmar said. “Fencing is just like building a house. When you see different houses, you see different styles. Fencing is no different. It can match the style of your house.”

Challenges of putting up a fence

Topography can play a significant role in what a landowner can accomplish.

“Hard ground and rocks are not a huge challenge for most in Gillespie County,” Dittmar said. “In certain places, it can be challenging. Everything is so mechanized now because you have pneumatic drills.

“Where it gets challenging is when you can’t drive a vehicle to get to it and you can’t get your equipment to it, so you have to do it by hand.”

Getting bids for fencing projects

Dittmar said people call all the time wanting to know how much it costs to build a fence over the phone.

Dittmar said it’s impossible to do that without inspecting the property first. Every property has

different soil conditions, terrain and acreage.

“People always ask me to give prices over the phone and you just can’t do that,” Dittmar said. “There are so many different scenarios such as property lines, neighbors’ fences, etc. Getting permits and stuff like that. It’s not just a simple thing to put a fence up. There’s a lot more to it than that.”

“If I had to give people one word of advice, get more than one bid,” Dittmar said. “Different guys have different things that they kind of specialize in. Get different bids.”

Dittmar explained the benefits of getting multiple bids and why phone bids are not possible in most cases.

“Before you bid a fence, check out your site and keep in mind that you can’t bid a fence over the phone,” Dittmar said. “If you want to get an honest price, you have to look at the site in person. Just because we can do a fence for one price in one area doesn’t mean we can do a fence for the same price in another area.”

Types of fencing

Dittmar said the type of fencing kind of goes hand in hand with the purpose of the fence.

“As far as out in the country, net wire fencing and

barbed wire fencing and occasionally deer proof fencing are the most popular type of fencing,” Dittmar said. “In town, it’s usually wood fencing. Either 6-inch vertical dog ear or horizontal.”

Dittmar said that double-wire looping is coming back.

“People are starting to put that back up again,” Dittmar said.

“Fencing is kind of up to your imagination,” Dittmar said. “Just about anything can be done.”

Withstanding the elements

If wood is the source of your fencing project, Dittmar recommended cedar.

“Cedar is probably your best bet,” Dittmar said. “It’s very expensive right now, but as far as lasting, cedar is probably your best bet and longer lasting.”

“It doesn’t rot as easy and it just looks better,” Dittmar said.

Tiny homes

By Brent Burgess Standard-Radio Post Editor

We Americans love our homes. Owning one is the epitome of the American dream.

Because that dream is so valuable, Americans also become very creative in how they protect and pursue that dream when times get tough.

In a difficult housing market where property values have skyrocketed, construction costs are up and interest rates are high, small homes and tiny homes have become

more than just a trend, but a necessity for some. This is especially true in Gillespie County.

With the average home cost in Fredericksburg nearing $700,000, home ownership in Gillespie County has become less of a dream and more of a fairy tale.

Todd Eidson is a custom home builder in Fredericksburg who is regularly involved in the construction of tiny homes and small houses. In addition to building custom homes, Eidson volunteers with a Fredericksburg High School program called Casa Über Alles, where high school students are building tiny homes each year to engage in a

hands-on experience with the building trade.

“There are two reasons they became popular — one was for accessory dwelling units,” said Eidson. “That, and then the popularity with a generational change and millennials not wanting a 2,500 square foot house, which is the American average.”

Television shows and social media vlogs popularized the appeal to millennials who wanted to escape from a bigger-is-better mentality. With the current state of the market, true tiny homes might become a regular part of the home culture of Gillespie County and the Texas Hill Country.

True tiny home

The phrase “tiny home” is not just a general statement regarding a small living arrangement. There are certain building codes and permits unique to a true tiny home, thus, a true tiny home must meet certain qualifications.

“There’s literally a definition for building code for a tiny house and that’s anything that’s 400 square feet or less,” said Eidson. Because of that qualification, many small homes are called tiny homes that do not truly qualify, sometimes pushing into the space range of 700-800 square feet. However, these small homes can still possess the same benefits of a true tiny home in cost and portability.

“When you look at a true tiny house, it’s really modeled after an RV architecture on the inside, so everything is small and compact,” said Eidson. “You use every little bit of space, under stairs or under cabinets.

“Basically, a tiny house is an RV with a finished house exterior.” Eidson’s point is especially relevant considering that tiny homes are generally constructed on wheels, and then delivered to their permanent property.

True tiny homes are RVIA (Recreational Vehicle Industry Association) certified to a specific building code.

John McGilvray owns John Anthony Homes and Development located in Kerr County. McGilvray has made the production and sale of tiny homes a fine-tuned machine and has a sales lot of tiny homes ready to be viewed.

“The RVIA makes it so much easier for county or municipalities,” said McGilvray who claims that true tiny homes are easier to qualify through county permitting restrictions.

“Normally, if I have a piece of property and it’s in the flood zone, I can’t put a building there without the property permitting and it’s a huge hassle. With an RVIA building, because it’s built on wheels, you can actually park that thing in a floodway. So, there are some benefits there. That’s all going to be dependent on your county.”

Better than an RV

Even though RVIA certified tiny homes are built to RV specifications, they are notably better built.

“The exteriors are much better and are made of quality materials that home builders use themselves,” said Eidson who has experience building more high-end homes. “So, you’re going to have a lower maintenance cost and you’re going to have a longer lifespan.”

Another advantage to a tiny home over an RV or camper trailer is the resale value. Since tiny homes are constructed

on wheels or built onto a chassis, they are somewhat portable. McGilvray builds his tiny homes so that a hitch can be reinstalled to the platform and the home can be hauled away the same way it was once delivered. This means that an owner can sell the home. And in the case of tiny homes, the market value does not decrease the same as it would for an RV or a mobile home, which is also made with more lightweight and less durable materials.

“Most of the time (the owners) get 8090% of what they paid for it five or six years down the road,” said McGilvray.

Tiny home appeal

In many cases, homeowners are installing small homes and tiny homes onto their land as an alternative to a larger custom or manufactured home. There are two common reasons for this in the Texas Hill Country.

The most popular use is for short-term rental (STR). With high property taxes and a rising cost of living, many landowners choose to place a tiny home on their property as a source of passive income.

In Gillespie County, it is not unusual to

see a beautiful historic home on a country road with a couple of tiny homes or small cabins nearby on the same property to provide some income for the property owner.

“I think here (Fredericksburg) we will continue to see them as STRs first and foremost,” said Eidson who knows that the STR market in Gillespie County continues to have high demand.

The second option for a tiny home is for long-term rental of a full-time home. Like a starter home, a tiny home can help a first-time home buyer who wants to keep their overhead low, as opposed to a traditional house.

“The biggest advantage is obviously you’re going to spend less money,” said McGilvray. “And you’ve got some really cool ways to design and set up your property.”

McGilvray’s business with John Anthony Home and Development makes the purchase of a tiny home a turn-key operation, even providing the ability to clear land and set up the land with water and septic.

“This is such a great alternative for

people because it gives them the opportunity to get into a full-time living situation and realistically start living out their lives,” said McGilvray.

Eidson noted that one disadvantage of a tiny home is that the floor plans are very limited. Due to the space restrictions and the RVIA codes, there are only so many options for how to layout a practical living area in such a small space.

Despite that challenge, many individuals or small families might see the benefits of a tiny home or a small cabin as a viable solution in an expensive housing market.

For anyone still wanting to pursue the American dream of home ownership on a tight budget, a tiny home might be a tiny step toward a big dream.