Compass Greater NY, LLC
Ann Marie Damashek, GRI, CBR, SRES, Compass Greater NY, LLCPhone: (917) 623-0624
Email: [email protected]

Lawn care: Centipede grass nuances to remember

by Ann Marie Damashek, GRI, CBR, SRES 08/28/2022

Centipede grass is possibly one of the easiest grasses to plant, maintain and fix if necessary. It’s particularly grown in southeast regions, but can be grown anywhere that temperatures are warm. However, it can have its nuances.

Keep it hydrated

Centipede grass may be a warm-season grass, capable of sustaining higher temperatures. However, this type of grass has short roots that require at least a weekly watering of about one inch in total. However, be careful not to over hydrate it, as this can drown the roots and potentially cause severe damage to your lawn.

Typically, centipede grass lawns should be watered earlier in the morning (before 10 a.m.).

Keep it fed

Centipede grass maintenance involves keeping it fed and creating an environment that it will thrive in. While you may not need to fertilize this warm-season grass as much as a grass needing to have a high tolerance against the cold, you still want to make sure it’s getting the nutrients it needs.

Depending on your location, your centipede lawn may need a fertilizer with a little more acid, since this type of grass enjoys a soil with a little more zing to it. Try keeping the soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 to ensure optimal growth.

Weed control

Weeds often creep into lawns with sparse patches where grass is missing or thin. This allows the weeds to spread and get stronger, eventually infiltrating your centipede grass lawn. You may opt to use herbicide specifically designed for weeds, that will not damage your grass. However, the most prevalent protection against weeds is to keep your grass dense and healthy.

Maintaining a centipede grass lawn isn’t as difficult as some other varieties of grasses available. Just be sure to keep it fed and properly hydrated with minimal foot traffic, and your centipede grass lawn will thrive season after season.

About the Author
Author

Ann Marie Damashek, GRI, CBR, SRES

Ann Marie Damashek has always been a natural at helping people prepare their homes for sale. She started out with a successful business selling goods for people on eBay. "Nine times out of ten they were hiring me because they were down-sizing,” Ann Marie says. "So I decided to get my license. I said, ‘Might as well sell their house too.’” The transition was a smooth one and for nine years she’s had a thriving full-time real estate business that allows her to marry her entrepreneurial spirit with her passion for helping others. With an office in Larchmont, New York, she serves all of Lower Westchester County, with her primary market in the Sound Shore region. The majority of her business is "sphere of influence” with former clients referring her to friends and family. A gifted communicator, Ann Marie quickly builds trust and rapport with her clients by being both thoughtful and responsive; she understands that during the purchase or sale of a home, a quick response time is crucial. "I am very accessible,” Ann Marie says. "I always make time for my clients. They can call me, text me, email me up until 10 o’clock at night and I will respond. I’m available on weekends. I get back to people very promptly. I’m very customer service-oriented.” Her clients appreciate her professionalism, passion and enthusiasm and as a result her repeat and referral rate continues to grow each year. While selling real estate is serious business, Ann Marie knows that at times humor and a moment of levity can be a relief to clients. While she has a laidback and easygoing personality, she can be assertive when needed on her clients’ behalf. She loves being of service to them, and the continually changing nature of the work keeps her engaged and fulfilled. "It’s never boring,” Ann Marie enthuses. "Every day is different. That’s probably what I like most about it. But I also enjoy helping people sell or buy and educating them about the process. I love helping them achieve their goals.” This ethic of service has resulted in well-deserved recognition. Ann Marie has received the Westchester Magazine Five Star Real Estate Agent Rating four years running, in 2015 and 2016 she was the #1 agent in her office, and she’s a Zillow 5-Star Premier Agent. To keep in touch with former clients, Ann Marie sends cards to mark special occasions or reaches out via email. To market her listings, Ann Marie uses Multiple Listing Services (MLS), as well as Listingbook.com, a service that allows both agents and their clients access to MLS data. She also uses a Facebook business page and ads to boost new listings or promote upcoming open houses. "That drives a tremendous amount of traffic,” Ann Marie says. She also uses the most popular real estate websites such as Zillow and Trulia. A strong believer in giving back, Ann Marie sits on the Board of Trustees of her church and is involved in a variety of social justice projects. She’s affiliated with Furniture Sharehouse, a furniture bank for Westchester County, which collects and distributes gently used furniture free of charge to those in need. "I love it on so many levels because as a realtor, it’s helps my sellers downsize through charitable donations. I like the environmental aspect of it as well. And it helps people who truly need things.” She’s also involved in Impact 100, a women’s philanthropic giving organization. In her free time, Ann Marie enjoys gardening, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. For the future, Ann Marie wants to continue expanding her business and developing her brand, and she someday hopes to grow a strong team. But her main goal is to stay in the real estate business, helping her clients to achieve their dreams.