A healthy, green lawn can significantly improve your Fort Oglethorpe 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.
Alternatively, you can tend to the lawn yourself or hire professional landscapers, both of which will cost you both 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. Hence, planting clover not only makes your lawn a vivid green, but it will also make nearby plants healthier.
Drought-resistant clover also tends to stay greener longer than most grasses do with just regular watering. 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.
As with anything, these benefits also come with a few disadvantages. Clover is more easily trampled than most grasses and can stain clothing. This could be a problem for yards that get a lot of use. Clover also prefers soil that is kept somewhat moist. It doesn’t do 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. You can simply rake the top layer of soil on your lawn and then seed clover right over your existing grass lawn. The clover will grow with the grass, enriching the soil and making the grass healthier. If you want to use clover as a groundcover instead, you’ll need to start with damp, cultivated soil.
Just as you would for a lawn or wildflower garden, prepare the ground and then sow the clover seeds. Clover grows quickly and you will soon have a low-maintenance carpet of rich, green beauty.
Clover Types
You first need to choose the clover variety that best fits your climate and the soil in your rental property’s yard. 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. This variety has gained popularity because of its resistance to drought. It also doesn’t grow too tall, but the flowers bother some people and must be mowed every few weeks.
Micro-clover is an even easier variety to maintain. 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 are rapidly 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 Fort Oglethorpe property management experts at 423-704-9944.
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