Everyone knows that a healthy, green lawn can significantly improve a Pelham rental property’s curb appeal. But for single-family rental property owners, traditional lawn maintenance can often be a problem. If you are dependent on your tenants for lawn maintenance, you should expect varying results. Many tenants have no background in lawn care or don’t want to put in the time and effort required.
You can always do it yourself or hire professional landscapers, but both options will cost you both time and money. If you want to stop struggling with lawn maintenance but still keep a green yard, it may be time to consider planting clover. Let us look at the advantages planting clover offers 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. Clover is one of those plants that fix atmospheric nitrogen, which all plants need to grow. Aside from making your lawn a vivid green, planting clover also encourages the healthy growth of nearby plants.
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.
As with anything, these benefits also come with a few disadvantages. Clover is more easily trampled than most grasses and can stain clothing. If your yard gets a lot of use, this could be an issue. Clover also prefers soil that is kept somewhat moist. It doesn’t do well in very dry climates, like the 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. As the clover grows alongside the grass, it also enriches the soil and makes 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. Since clover grows quickly, you will soon enjoy your rich, 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 most common one used in lawns is Dutch white clover, which grows to about 4 – 6 inches. This clover also has pretty white flowers that appear 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 won’t grow above 4 inches high with occasional mowing. Despite being around for at least a decade, micro-clovers are just recently 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. If anyone wants less lawn maintenance while still improving a rental’s exterior appearance, this is a good option.
Would you like more ideas on how to reduce the maintenance of your rental property while maximizing curb appeal? Contact the local Pelham property management experts at 205-793-0700.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
