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 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. Aside from making your lawn a vivid green, planting clovers also encourages the healthy growth of nearby plants.
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 weed 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.
Together with these benefits are a few disadvantages as well. Clover is more easily trampled than most grasses and can stain clothing. 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. The variety of clover that would most benefit you 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 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. Alternatively, if you want to use clover as a groundcover all by itself, you will 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. Clover grows quickly and you will soon have a low-maintenance carpet of rich, green 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 show up 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.
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. 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.
While doing research on every potential income property is a lot of work, Real Property Management of the Triad can help lighten your load. We offer free rental property analyses for investors, which can help you more easily identify whether the income property you want to buy is a profitable option. Contact us online or call us at 336-355-6677 or 336-777-7444 to learn more!