Many rental property owners in Shaw, including yourself, are eager to enhance their rental’s environmental friendliness. One minor yet impactful step is to develop a pollinator-friendly yard. Optimal landscaping for rentals involves designing appealing and easy-to-care-for yards. Creating a pollinator-friendly yard is an investment in the environment and can enhance your property’s worth. Establishing a pollinator-friendly yard can appeal to environmentally aware tenants looking for such rentals.
You can still make a difference even if you aren’t a passionate gardener. It’s possible you’ve heard that pollinators such as butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds are in rapid decline. Essential to our ecosystem, pollinators enable the production of many fruits, nuts, and seeds we consume. With a few tweaks to your rental’s landscaping, you can positively affect pollinator numbers in your area.
Plant With Variety
To attract pollinators, start by incorporating a variety of plants in your yard. Choose plants that have staggered blooming periods, from early spring to late fall. You can often find native plants such as lavender, coneflowers, and bee balm that are easy to care for and attract pollinators.
Add a Feeder
Placing a nectar feeder in your rental’s yard is an easy way to bring in hummingbirds and butterflies. These pollinators are enjoyable to watch and will benefit your landscaping plants. To draw additional pollinators, consider placing a dish of ripe fruit or water with sea salt in your yard. Butterflies are particularly enticed by these items.
Rethink the Lawn
A lush, green lawn is a key feature in the landscaping of many rental properties. With a few minor changes, your lawn can support pollinators. Letting the grass grow taller, around 3 inches, and form seed heads helps retain soil moisture and attracts pollinators. Think about mixing low-growing plants such as white clover or violets with your grass. By adding these non-invasive plants, you can support pollinators without hurting your lawn’s health.
Use Alternatives to Pesticides
Spraying pesticides on the lawn or plants is common, but it can negatively affect beneficial pollinators as well. If controlling harmful insects with sprays is essential, look into environmentally friendly alternatives. Oils and soaps can be effective in repelling pests while sparing pollinators. Cornmeal can effectively remove ant colonies, and garlic, pepper, and beer can repel certain biting insects.
If a tenant desires to incorporate pollinator-friendly elements in the yard, think about allowing it. Make sure you and your tenant are clear on the changes, who will do the work, and who will pay for it.
If a tenant asks you to help with costs for plants or elements, it could be worthwhile if it boosts property value or appeal. While establishing a pollinator-friendly yard may have initial costs, the long-term advantages can outweigh them.
To increase your rental property’s value, consider making a pollinator-friendly yard. For advice, contact Real Property Management DC Metro. We’re pleased to talk about how our property management services can enhance your investments in Shaw and surrounding areas. Contact us online or call 202-269-0303 today!
Originally Published on July 16, 2021
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