You can always do it yourself or hire professional landscapers, but both options will cost you both time and money. If you want less struggle with lawn maintenance and still keep a green yard, clover may be the way to go. 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. Clovers also 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.
Drought-resistant clover also tends to stay greener longer than most grasses do with just regular watering. You could also notice that you will be spraying for bugs less frequently and have fewer weeds on the lawn. This is thanks to clover’s natural weed and pest deterrent properties. Finally, clover is very low maintenance. You won’t have to do much mowing since it only grows to a few inches in height.
Together with these benefits are a few disadvantages as well. Clover can stain clothing and is less resistant to trampling compared to other grasses. This is something you should consider 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. If you do choose to use clover, your best pick would be one that is native to your area.
How to Plant
Clover is easy to plant and grow in many parts of the country. You can add clover to an existing grass lawn by raking the top layer of soil and then seeding 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
Choose the variety of clover that is the best fit for our climate, as well as the soil in your rental property’s yard. Growing to a height of about 4 – 6 inches with pretty white flowers from time to time, the Dutch white clover is the most common clover used in lawns. 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.
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 rarely blooms and, with occasional mowing, doesn’t grow above 4 inches high. 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. 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 Burlington property management experts at 802-861-6468.