Cobalt St. Augustine sod gives you an emerald-green lawn with a finer blade texture than older St. Augustine types. It's the go-to warm-season grass for yards with some shade, though it still needs 4 to 6 hours of sun a day, and it handles Alabama heat and dry spells well.

Water new sod consistently while it roots, then aim for about an inch of water weekly, letting rain count toward it. Good drainage matters; avoid spots where water stands. Feed on a regular schedule through the growing season for steady color.