Letting your lawn go dormant during the summer is an especially desirable option if you have Bermuda or buffalo grass. When rains return, both green up quickly with no negative consequences.

Growing a lawn in San Antonio is not easy in the best of times, and during severe drought it's even more challenging. Lawn grasses do best in conditions where there are relatively deep soils, mild temperatures and regular rainfall.

The most common turf grass, St. Augustine, evolved in a region with acid soils and 50-60 inches of rain. It is no surprise many of us are wondering about our lawn options in the midst of droughty weather. There are a few:

• Maintain a green – not lush – lawn. Even with drought restrictions this is possible in San Antonio.

• Let your lawn go dormant during the summer. This is an especially desirable option if you have Bermuda or buffalo grass, which are capable of shutting down like a bear in hibernation during a drought. When rains return, both green up quickly with no negative consequences. For St. Augustine and zoysia lawns, the dormancy option is not as simple. The closest you can get to dormancy is to water every two weeks. The lawn will brown, but the roots will stay alive.

• Water according to the Seasonal Irrigation Program (SIP) recommendations found in this newsletter. SIP calculates the amount of water your lawn needs based on the weather conditions and grass type. It's the best way to maintain your lawn without using excess water.

Any of the above options will yield a healthy lawn for most of the year, even during drought restrictions.

Calvin R. Finch is the project director of regional initiatives and special projects for San Antonio Water System.