Question
We are building a new home in Salem, Al (between Columbus GA and Phenix City, AL and would like to know if St. Augustine will do well here.  there is spanish moss growing in the area. If yes, we would like a variety that can stand the traffic of three grandchildren!

Answer
Hi Judy;
I live in North Texas, and am not familiar with what strains of St. Augustine will do well there, if any.
Your best source fo this information is local nurserymen, or your County Agricultural Extension Agent.
You can probably access the Agri Agent on a state website, if not, the phone numbers will be in the telephone directory, in the County Government section.
Yopu can also put gardening in ( and your area) in your search engine, and you will get up all the websites that have infrmation on it.
That is how I would search for you, but I would choose the sites I thought were were more petrtinent, and I might not send you the best ones.
When I search by an area like that, I get everything from sources for seed and sod to the state's Agricultutal college, as well as state offices.
You would see all your options if you searched.
Whatever grass you decide on, I would encourage you to get immediately on a good organic program.
In the first place, organics CURE the problems with gardening, chemicals CAUSE problems.
We just haven't been priviledged to much informnation on organics in years past, so we just really had to rely on advertisers for chemical lawn products companies.
Now, however, there is a wealth of information available.
I have been on an organic program for about 10 years now, and I just don't spend all the money or time I used to, and have so much better results.
My roses never have any black spot or aphid dmage, something I fought constantly for over 35 years.
My lawn critters( I call them my livestock.LOL)\, toads, grass snakes, and lizards, eat all the harmful inscts that are attracted to yards here,and herbs I grow for cooking keep them out of my house.
I strew cedar bark mulch all over my yard each spring when it is time for termites to swarm and for fleas and ticks to appear. I also put a trail of cedar bark mulch, about 3 or 4 inches deep and an ince or two wide all around the foundation of the house and outbuildings.
I have been doing that for the whole 42 years we have lived in this house, and no termites, EVER!!!.
My neighbiors have termites, at least the ones who think I am nuts for my home grown treatments.
I bought a bag of organic fertilizer a coule of years ago, but I haven't used it yet.
The sugar did enough.
Weeds will not thrive in rich soil.
Chemicals do NOT enrich the soil. They feed all the vegetation growing there, including the weeds, then they wear out and you have to reapply them.
Sugar does absolutely nothing but nourish the beneficial microbes that work round the clock, enriching your soil.
If you spill a little too much fertilizer in one spot, you will burn, and possibly kill that spot of grass.
If you spill a pound of sugar too much, all you do is waste a little sugar.
None of the organics will harn your plants or soil, and with a couple of exceptions, they won't hurt your grandchildren or pets.
Diamateous Earth will damage lungs if it is breathed in, and borax is not safe for children or pets, so I don't use those things at all.
I use Agricultural corn mnel, or baking soda disolved in water for fungus.
Actually, I only use the baking soda. For a fungus an a large area, I would use the agricultural corn meal.
Disolve about 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a 2 gallon garden sprayer filled with water, and spray both on top and underneath leaves of plants susceptable to molds and fungus.
Fungicides are poisonous to  children and pats, and children WILL put petals and leaves in their mouths.
I don't have to keep the pets or grandchildren off the grass till it is safer ( It is never really SAFE). They can play while I am broadcasting the sugar etc, and even help.
Citrus oils repel all kinds of ants, including fire ants, and the children can help with that.
I am getting into a lot more than you asked.
If you would like more information on organics, write me with questions.
I am very happy to share what I have learned.
Charlotte