Clover’s a wild card, no doubt, but I’ve gotta say, I’m not totally sold on letting the yard go full “lived-in” mode. From an investment angle, that kind of chaos can be a double-edged sword. I once bought a duplex where the previous owner was all about “natural landscaping”—think clover, wild violets, creeping thyme, the whole nine yards. It looked charming to some, but honestly, most potential renters saw it as unkempt. Ended up spending a weekend with a trimmer and a truckload of mulch just to get it back to something that looked intentional.
Don’t get me wrong, I like the low-maintenance aspect and the pollinators, but there’s a fine line between cozy and “does anyone actually live here?” Guess it depends on the neighborhood and who you’re trying to attract. That thyme between pavers idea is clever, though—smells great and keeps weeds down. Just wish clover would take the hint and stay in its lane...
Totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve seen that “natural landscaping” look work wonders in some neighborhoods, but in others it just reads as neglect.
That’s the trick, right? I’ve had luck mixing in some structure—like edging beds or adding a few tidy planters—to keep things looking intentional. The thyme between pavers is a solid move, though. Smells amazing and looks like you meant it. Clover, on the other hand… yeah, it never got the memo about boundaries.“there’s a fine line between cozy and ‘does anyone actually live here?’”
That’s the trick, right?
I get what you mean about clover, but honestly, I kinda like how wild it gets. It fills in bare spots way faster than grass for me, and the bees seem to love it. Maybe it’s not super tidy, but I think a little chaos can make a space feel more lived-in. Edging helps, but sometimes I just let things go a bit and it still feels cozy.
