Question
What sort of grass do you recommend for a home in suburban Wilmington, NC?  There is a playset and sandbox in the far back corner for small children that will be used in the warmer weather.  Trees next to the house (evergreen) and at the property border and a solitary birch, that would be it.  Lots of sun.  Thanks.

Answer
Ever see the "Insider's Guide to North Carolina's Southern Coast and Wilmington" (http://www.insiders.com/wilmington/main-retire.htm)?

Their website sums up your climate: "USDA growing zone 8, averages 248 or more growing days per year and has an annual rainfall of 54 inches."

Rainfall peaks in June, July and August.  And "more often than not, it rains at night and is sunny during the day," they note.  "Several varieties of flowers bloom all winter, and numerous shrubs and trees retain their foliage all year."  Average summer high: 88 degrees F.  Average winter low: 36 degrees F.  Annual average temp: 64 degrees F.

Lovely weather you're having.

As for grass, Seedland.com (http://www.seedland.com/) sells several warm season lawn grasses perfect for your full sun Wilmington, NC lawn: Bermudagrass, Centipede, Zoysia or St. Augustine.  But the North Carolina State Univ. Turfgrass Research Center (http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/) says Bermudagrass is the one you want to grow at your house.

"Cultivar selection should depend on establishment method desired (seed or vegetative) and maintenance requirements."  Benefits of Bermuda include drought tolerance, spreading habit, traffic tolerance and high lawn quality.  They list 9 seeded and 4 vegetative varieties of Bermudagrass that have outperformed others at their testing labs for homes in your part of the state.  Mow this with a reel mower at 3/4 to 1 inch tall, no higher, for best results.

If you test your soil, you will probably find the pH to test on the Acidic side.  Ryegrass is commonly used to bring green to the winter lawn planted with Bermudagrass, but it is needed less the farther south you go.

Any more questions, I'm here.