Can Management Force Tenants To Pay For "beautification" Of Their Property?

California-

We moved in about 4 years ago. I have pictures from move in walk through of dead lawn in front and back. Lawn is all weeds and then drys out in summer. We mow it, but have never wanted to do much more because we do not own this property.

Yesterday, management gave us a 7 day notice to fix violations to the lease. Specifically sections saying that we are to "mantain" the property and that "ground cover is required". They included forms for us to "propose beautification for management approval"? They expect us to pay to put in sod or rocks on their property out of pocket.

Do we have recourse to push back here? The lawn of weeds we have been maintaining has existed since we moved in. I feel like if we killed the lawn, absolutely it would be our responsibility, but again I have photos that the lawn never existed. How do we approach management and is it even legal for them to try and put us out of pocket for their property improvements like this?

Thanks in advance! -frustrated renters.