Everyone knows that a healthy, green lawn can significantly improve a Jacksonville rental property’s curb appeal. But for single-family rental property owners, traditional lawn maintenance can often be a problem. If you depend on your tenants to maintain the lawn, you will get varied 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 less struggle with lawn maintenance and still keep a green yard, clover may be the way to go. 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 clovers also encourages the healthy growth of nearby plants.
With regular watering, clover usually stays greener longer than other grasses since they are drought-resistant. 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.
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 doesn’t do very well in very dry climates, like those found in desert regions as they prefer soil that is kept somewhat moist. 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. 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 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
Choose the variety of clover that is the best fit for our climate, as well as the soil in your rental property’s yard. 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. 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. 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. 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 Jacksonville property management experts at 910-782-4488.
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