- Main ZIP
- 90805
- Soil Type
- Sandy Loam Flats
- Clay In Topsoil
- 10%
- Sand In Topsoil
- 65%
- Elevation
- 54 to 58 ft
- Miles To The Shore
- 7.0
- Empty Street Tree Sites
- 165
- Typical Home Built
- 1957
The Ground In Saint Francis
USDA maps this as Hueneme and San Emigdio soils, about 61 to 65 percent sand. Hueneme rates somewhat poorly drained, even with all that sand.
Parts of Saint Francis map differently too, with Low Flats showing up at other points we sampled. One block can differ from the next.
| Soil | Share Of Map Unit | Clay | Sand | pH | Drainage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hueneme | 20% | 10% | 65% | 7.2 | Somewhat poorly drained |
| San Emigdio | 15% | 12% | 61% | 8 | Well drained |
What That Means For Your Yard
- Sandy on top and slower below means do a drain test before you plant trees.
- Water less often and deeper than the sand suggests, then check how wet it is a foot down.
- The soil runs alkaline, so yellow leaves on acid lovers are common. Pick plants that like it.
Plants That Tend To Fit Here
- Yarrow
- Lantana
- Rosemary
- Deer grass
- Salvia
- Oleander
Weather And Homes
About 7.0 miles inland, this area runs warmer and drier than the shore in summer. Plants here use more water, so good coverage and mulch pay back fast under the same three day watering limit.
Census figures for the tracts here put the typical home at about 1957. Many yards from that era still have their first sprinkler lines and foundation shrubs, and much of that is ready to go. Replacing old lines at the same time you redo a bed saves a second dig.
About 81 percent of homes in these tracts are owner occupied and about 92 percent are houses. For an owner staying put, a yard change that lowers the water bill for years can make sense even with a higher start cost.
Your Parkway And Street Trees
A city tree inventory logged 165 empty street tree sites in this neighborhood. The typical logged parkway there is about 6 feet wide. If one is in front of your place, the city runs a free street tree program. Ask for a parkway tree before you plan the rest of the strip.
Your parkway follows the same city rule as the rest of Long Beach. Fake turf is out, and street trees belong to the city, so trimming one takes a Public Works permit. If you still have living lawn there, Long Beach Utilities runs a free native plant parkway kit.
Popular Work In Saint Francis
Questions We Hear
What kind of soil does Saint Francis have?
USDA maps this as Hueneme and San Emigdio soils, about 61 to 65 percent sand. Hueneme rates somewhat poorly drained, even with all that sand. It is also rated somewhat poorly drained. Your own yard may differ, especially if soil was brought in, so a test is cheap insurance.
Can I put artificial turf in my Saint Francis parkway?
No. City code limits parkways to living plants plus permeable materials such as mulch, decomposed granite or pavers on sand, and those must cover under half of the strip. Turf is allowed in the front yard itself.
What days can I water in Saint Francis?
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m., for up to 10 minutes per station, under the Level 1 rules from Long Beach Utilities.