A healthy, green lawn can definitely improve an Ellicott City 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.
Your other option is to do it yourself or hire professional landscapers, both of which cost time and money. If you want to get rid of the lawn maintenance struggle without getting rid of your green yard, you might want to see how planting clover can be a good idea. Here are some advantages of planting clover 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. 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 clovers 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, which is a natural weed and pest deterrent, also significantly reduces the need to spray for bugs or weeding the lawn. Finally, clover is very low maintenance. It does not need much mowing since it only grows to a few inches in height.
These benefits come with a few disadvantages as well. 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 likes soil that stays moist, and it doesn’t do very well in very dry climates, like desert regions. There are many types of clover to choose from, but you would benefit most 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 want to use clover as a groundcover instead, you’ll need to start with damp, cultivated soil.
Similar to what you would do for a lawn or wildflower garden, 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 planting clover in your rental property’s yard, it is best to pick the variety that best fits your soil 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. Popular because it is drought resistant, this variety does not grow very tall, although the flowers can bother some people and must be mowed every few weeks.
A variety that’s even easier 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. 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’s a good alternative for someone who wants to have easier lawn maintenance and improve their 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 Ellicott City property management experts at 410-415-1736.
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