Doing your own lawn maintenance or hiring professional landscapers can be costly and time-consuming. Planting clover can help you maintain a healthy yard without the need for extensive lawn care. Let’s consider why clover could be an excellent option for single-family rental property owners.
Pros and Cons of Growing Clover
Clover is a fantastic option for enhancing your rental property’s landscaping, offering numerous benefits. Unlike regular lawn grasses, clover possesses a unique ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, which is vital for plant growth. Planting clover can allow you to achieve a vibrant green lawn and support the healthy development of nearby plants.
Moreover, clover is drought-resistant and stays greener for longer periods with regular watering than most grasses do. Additionally, it acts as a natural deterrent to weeds and pests, reducing the necessity for chemical or manual weeding. Furthermore, clover requires minimal maintenance as it grows to just a few inches in height, reducing how often you need to mow.
However, there are a few disadvantages to take into account. Clover is not as resilient to foot traffic as traditional grasses and could potentially stain clothing. It flourishes in soil that is kept moderately moist and may face difficulties in arid regions such as deserts. Therefore, if you opt for clover, it’s recommended to select a variety native to your area.
How to Plant Clover
Planting clover is easy and beneficial. For grass lawns, rake the topsoil and plant clover seeds. Clover can live alongside grass, enriching the soil with nitrogen and drawing pollinators. For a ground cover exclusively of clover, till damp soil, remove debris, and plant seeds. Clover thrives in well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0 and needs full or partial sunlight. Planting clover enhances the beauty of an area and improves the health of the soil.
Types of Clover
Selecting the right type of clover is crucial when you plan to plant it in your rental property’s yard, based on your soil and climate. A popular choice for lawns is Dutch white clover. Dutch white clover grows to 4-6 inches and boasts beautiful white flowers that bloom intermittently. Despite its drought resistance and moderate height, the flowers may require occasional mowing.
An alternative clover variety you might think about is micro-clover. This variety has smaller leaves and blooms less frequently than Dutch white clover, staying under 4 inches in height even with occasional mowing. Its low maintenance requirements make it a great choice for property owners who want to minimize the lawn care they need while enhancing the look of their yard.
Incorporating micro-clover into your lawn care routine can reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides, thus helping to maintain a healthy, weed-free lawn. Additionally, micro-clover is a hardy plant that can thrive in various conditions and endure drought and heat, making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance lawns.
If you’re seeking more ways to streamline rental property maintenance and maximize curb appeal, contact Real Property Management Boise, the management experts in Hidden Springs. Call us at 208-494-1800 or contact us online.