Q: I remember you used to recommend St. Augustine grass not be grown north of Macon. Now it seems you recommend it for people much further north. Is a new variety out? Why have you changed you recommendations?

A: I have some St. Augustine grass myself and am impressed with how well it has survived several winters; it is still gray-green as we speak. We based initial Extension recommendations on data from sandy soil experiments and early varieties. Now, on clay soil and with newer varieties, like ‘Raleigh’ and ‘Palmetto’ I don’t hesitate to recommend certain types of St. Augustine in the Atlanta area.