My wife and I recently inherited her parents home in a residential neighborhood of Long Island, NY.
We will probably not be keeping the place, so going full premaculture/forest garden isn't in the
cards.
The back
yard (about 1/3 acre) is completely overgrown by ~30 years worth of untended English Ivy and Silver Maples. The appearance is unkempt, to say the least, and will not help with resale of the property.
As I tear out the ivy and cut down the forest of maple saplings, what can I do to keep the topsoil from drying out/blowing away that won't be too objectionable (from the viewpoint of typical suburban buyers)?
Clovers? Compost/Mulch? Any other low-growing ground covers that won't be too difficult for future owners to deal with?
Low cost / Low maintenance ideas would be especially helpful.
Thanks in advance for any ideas.