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 great option for improving your rental property’s landscaping, offering a variety of 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. It also acts as a natural repellent to weeds and pests, decreasing the requirement for chemicals or manual weeding. Additionally, clover requires minimal maintenance as it grows to just a few inches in height, reducing the need for frequent mowing.
However, there are a few drawbacks to consider. Clover is less resilient to foot traffic than traditional grasses and may lead to clothing staining. It does well in soil that is kept moderately moist but may face challenges in arid regions like deserts. Therefore, if you decide to go with clover, it is advisable to select a variety that is native to your area.
How to Plant Clover
Planting clover is easy and beneficial. For grass lawns, rake the topsoil and sow 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 prefers well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, and it requires full or partial sunlight. Planting clover enhances the beauty of an area and improves soil health.
Types of Clover
When considering planting clover in your rental property’s yard, selecting the appropriate type is crucial, depending on your soil and climate. Dutch white clover is a well-liked option for lawns. It grows to 4-6 inches and showcases beautiful white flowers that bloom intermittently. While it is drought-resistant and does not grow too tall, the flowers may need occasional mowing.
An alternative clover variety you might think about is micro-clover. Micro-clover has smaller leaves and blooms less often than Dutch white clover, remaining under 4 inches in height even with periodic 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.
Adding micro-clover to your lawn care regimen can decrease the necessity for fertilizers and pesticides, which helps 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 MetroWest-Worcester, the management experts in Milford. Call us at 508-329-6000 or contact us online.