Everyone knows that a healthy, green lawn can significantly improve a Homestead rental property’s curb appeal. But for single-family rental property owners, traditional lawn maintenance can often be a problem. If you depend on your tenants to maintain the lawn, you will get varied results. Many tenants have no idea how to care for a lawn or they may not want to put in the time and effort required.
Your other option is to do it yourself or hire professional landscapers, both of which cost time and money. If you want to be free of the struggle of lawn maintenance without getting rid of a green yard, you might want to consider planting clover. Here are some reasons why clover can be advantageous for single-family rental property owners.
Pros & Cons to Growing Clover
Unlike most lawn grasses, clover has many benefits that can help boost your rental’s landscaping and appearance. For one, clovers are plants that fix atmospheric nitrogen, which all plants need to grow. This means that planting clover will not just make your lawn a vivid green, it will also help nearby plants grow healthier.
Clover is also drought-resistant and, if watered regularly, tends to stay greener longer than most grasses do. Clover is also a natural weed and pest deterrent, so it will lessen your frequency for bug spraying as well as save you time from pulling weeds out of the lawn. Finally, clover is very low maintenance. It only grows a few inches in height, meaning you don’t need to mow much at all.
These benefits come with a few disadvantages as well. Clover can stain clothing and is less resistant to trampling compared to other grasses. If your yard gets a lot of use, this could be an issue. Clover also likes soil that stays moist, and it doesn’t do very well in very dry climates, like desert regions. If you choose to use clover, you would benefit from choosing one native to your area.
How to Plant
Clover is easy to plant and grow in many parts of the country. If you have an existing grass lawn, you can rake the top layer of soil and then seed clover right over the lawn. The clover will grow together with the grass, enriching the soil while making the grass healthier. If you prefer to use clover as a groundcover without any grass mixed in, you will need to start with damp, cultivated soil.
Just like how you would prepare for a lawn or wildflower garden, you prepare the ground and then sow the clover seeds. Clover quickly grows and will then cover the desired area with a vibrant green carpet of low-maintenance beauty.
Clover Types
Before you plant clover in your rental property’s yard, you have to first choose the best variety that fits your soils and climate. The clover most people use in lawns is Dutch white clover. This variety grows to about 4 – 6 inches in height and has white flower blooms from time to time. One reason for its popularity is its resistance to drought, plus it doesn’t really grow very tall. The flowers, however, can bother some people and must be mowed every few weeks.
Another even easier variety to maintain is the micro-clover. Micro-clovers are smaller than other clovers, with leaves half the size. It doesn’t bloom often and stays below 4 inches high with occasional mowing. Micro-clovers have been around for some time and are quickly gaining popularity because they are low maintenance.
A micro-clover lawn only needs to be mowed once a month or so, compared to weekly with most grasses. It is a very good option for anyone who wants less lawn maintenance but wants to improve a rental’s exterior appearance.
Would you like more ideas on how to reduce the maintenance of your rental property while maximizing curb appeal? Contact the local Homestead property management experts at 786-744-5700.
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