Many rental property owners in Waukesha, including yourself, are eager to enhance their rental’s environmental friendliness. One minor yet impactful step is to develop a pollinator-friendly yard. Key landscaping strategies for rentals involve crafting attractive, manageable yards. A pollinator-friendly garden is an environmentally sound investment that might also increase your property’s value. 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 likely you’ve learned that pollinators, including butterflies and bees, are facing rapid declines. Essential to our ecosystem, pollinators enable the production of many fruits, nuts, and seeds we consume. Even small modifications to your rental’s landscaping can benefit local pollinator populations.
Plant With Variety
An initial step to invite pollinators is to use diverse plants in your landscaping. Ideally, opt for plants that bloom throughout the year, from early spring to late fall. Native plant varieties like lavender, coneflowers, and bee balm, which are easy to maintain and attract pollinators, are available in most areas.
Add a Feeder
Another simple method to attract hummingbirds and butterflies is by placing a nectar feeder in your rental’s yard. Observing these pollinators feed is enjoyable for many, and they contribute to your plants’ health. Setting out a dish of ripe fruit or water with sea salt can help draw more pollinators to your yard. Butterflies find these items especially attractive.
Rethink the Lawn
A thriving, green lawn is a fundamental aspect of landscaping for numerous rental properties. A few straightforward changes to your lawn can help support pollinators. By letting the grass grow to about 3 inches and develop seed heads, you retain soil moisture and attract pollinators. Think about mixing low-growing plants such as white clover or violets with your grass. These plants are non-invasive and can help local pollinators without damaging your lawn.
Use Alternatives to Pesticides
Numerous property owners use pesticides on their lawns or plants, but this can also harm beneficial pollinators. When spraying for harmful insects or issues, consider more environmentally friendly solutions. Specific oils and soaps can keep pests away without killing pollinators. Ant colonies can often be eliminated with cornmeal, while garlic, pepper, and beer can deter biting insects.
Should your tenant want to include pollinator-friendly elements in the yard, consider permitting them to do so. 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. Setting up a pollinator-friendly yard may have upfront costs, but the long-term gains can be substantial.
To boost your rental property’s value, consider creating a pollinator-friendly yard. For advice, contact Real Property Management Greater Milwaukee. We’re pleased to talk about how our property management services can enhance your investments in Waukesha and surrounding areas. Contact us online or call 262-309-6961 today!
Originally Published on July 16, 2021
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