(Who would want to build garden apartments, when cap rates were so low in these new up and coming cities- hence 18 hour, and not 24 hour cities ;) So now those buildings will offer discounts, etc., and may also attract some class B tenants from the garden buildings.

., family of 5, 3 dogs, 2 cats, 16 chickens, veggie garden and grass in front and back and mine is usually $150 during the summer.

This one seemed to match pretty well to the above: https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Simple-Living-Antique-White-Frosted-Pane-Wall-Cabinet/6356567/product.html?

The downstairs, it's a garden-level, needed renovation.

My second question is, can I take money out of their security deposit to pay for garden maintenance since they neglected the gardens around the house and didn't mow the whole yard.  

Then, include a gardener in your rent and require the tenant to let the gardener take care of the backyard.With a lawn, it's just a matter of mowing and weed-eating the edges, & leaf-blowing leaves into piles in the fall.  

I also like your idea of the gardening/landscape renovations! 

That's not to suggest that all of my backyards look like Better Homes and Gardens, but anything that's visible to the neighbors I try to keep looking reasonably good and expect the renters to do the same.

We offer garden space, too, and it's in a neighborhood full of green-minded tenants here.

I'm in Moss Beach today and San Rafael tomorrow, stop by and chat.