Fillable checklist

Landscape Maintenance Checklist: Lawn Trees and Beds (Free Printable PDF)

Fillable landscape maintenance form for lawn, trees, beds, mulch, and debris. Print blank or save a filled PDF. Answers stay in this tab.

Maintenance Fillable form · 6 sections · 30 checks Download filled or blank PDF and CSV Cross-checked against EPA WaterSense, USDA Forest Service, ENERGY STAR · Last verified Sep 16, 2026

Snugage fillable checklist

Fill this on screen, then download a PDF or CSV. Download a blank copy to complete by hand. Answers stay in this tab only. The next visitor sees a blank form. This is owner periodic care for a US home lawn, trees, planting beds, mulch, and yard debris. It is not a sprinkler-head inspection, not a licensed arborist exam, and not a substitute for your county extension or a soil test.

  • 6 sections
  • 30 checks
  • Blank for each visitor

Form details

Property and visit dates

Record the yard you are working this visit. Mark lawn lines N/A if there is no turf. Mark tree lines N/A if there are no trees or shrubs. Sprinkler heads, controllers, and irrigation winterization belong on a separate irrigation form, not here. This is a maintenance template, not a licensed inspection.

10 fields
Property and visit dates

EPA WaterSense: replace mulch around shrubs and garden plants at least once per year.

EPA WaterSense and Purdue Extension: test soil before you decide on fertilizer. This date is a record, not a pass or fail score.

USDA Forest Service: hire an arborist when work cannot be done with both feet on the ground, or when branches are near utility lines.

Owner, household member, or landscape company.

Inspection station

Lawn

These lines are turf only. Mark the whole section N/A if there is no lawn. Skip a line only when it is not due this visit. Do not inspect sprinkler heads, spray patterns, or irrigation controllers here.

8 items
Lawn

Mowed within the recommended height, never more than one-third off

EPA WaterSense: raise the mowing height, often 2 to 4 inches in summer, and do not cut off more than one-third of the blade at once. EPA Water-Smart Landscapes: cut when turf reaches about 2 to 3 inches, and ask your county extension for the height for your species. Purdue Extension for Midwest cool-season lawns: about 3 to 3.5 inches. Record the height you used in Notes. This form does not score one inch as pass or fail.

Mowed within the recommended height, never more than one-third off: Done, Skip, or N/A

Mower blades kept sharp

University of Florida IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscaping: keep mower blades sharp at all times. Torn leaf tips brown and stress turf. Sharpen or replace a dull blade before the next peak-growth mow.

Mower blades kept sharp: Done, Skip, or N/A

Clippings left on the lawn, clumps broken up

EPA WaterSense: grass clippings left in place are a natural fertilizer and can reduce the fertilizer you add. EPA composting guidance and Purdue Extension: leave clippings unless they form mats. Break up clumps by raking or mowing again. Bag only when growth is excessive, then compost or use as mulch (IFAS, EPA).

Clippings left on the lawn, clumps broken up: Done, Skip, or N/A

Watered only when the lawn showed stress, not on a clock

EPA WaterSense: water based on plant need, not a fixed schedule. Grass should bounce back when you walk on it. If a footprint still shows several minutes later, the lawn may need water. DOE Energy Saver: if grass springs back after being stepped on, skip watering. This is a need check, not a sprinkler-head or controller audit.

Watered only when the lawn showed stress, not on a clock: Done, Skip, or N/A

Any watering done in the early morning

DOE Energy Saver: water plants in the early morning when evaporation is low. EPA Water-Smart Landscapes: avoid watering in the heat of the day. Mark N/A if rainfall was enough and you did not water. Sprinkler alignment and run times stay on an irrigation form.

Any watering done in the early morning: Done, Skip, or N/A

Weeds managed with mowing height and IPM, not a spray-first habit

EPA WaterSense: a lawn not cut too short is a defense against weeds. Use Integrated Pest Management: high mow, limited pesticide, and avoid spraying during pollinator activity. Purdue Extension: a vigorous, correctly mowed lawn crowds out crabgrass. Identify the weed before you buy a product. Follow the label. This is not a requirement to apply herbicide.

Weeds managed with mowing height and IPM, not a spray-first habit: Done, Skip, or N/A

Compacted soil aerated, or checked and left if not compacted

EPA WaterSense: compacted soil blocks water. Aerate so air and water can mix. Purdue Extension: a thin thatch layer may be reduced by core aeration. Mark Skip if the lawn is not compacted this visit. Mark N/A if there is no turf. This form does not invent a thatch thickness pass or fail.

Compacted soil aerated, or checked and left if not compacted: Done, Skip, or N/A

Fertilizer used only as needed after a soil test, kept off pavement

EPA WaterSense: do not use too much fertilizer, and keep it off driveways and sidewalks so it cannot wash to waterways. EPA Water-Smart Landscapes and Purdue Extension: test soil, then fertilize only as needed. USDA Forest Service Tree Owner's Manual: apply other fertilizers only if a soil test shows nutrients are lacking. Leave clippings to return nutrients. Do not treat an N-P-K bag number as a pass or fail on this form. Rates and timing vary by grass type and state.

Fertilizer used only as needed after a soil test, kept off pavement: Done, Skip, or N/A

Inspection station

Trees and shrubs

Ground-level owner care for trees and shrubs. Mark N/A if none are planted. Do not prune near utility lines. Hire an arborist for ladder work, large limbs, or storm defects.

9 items
Trees and shrubs

Tree mulch 2 to 4 inches deep, pulled off the bark (no volcano)

USDA Forest Service Tree Owner's Manual: a 2 to 4 inch mulch layer, none touching bark, never more than 4 inches over the roots. Purdue Extension: 2 to 3 inches, a few inches off the trunk, never piled into a volcano. IFAS: 2 to 3 inches, no volcano. Gap distance varies (Purdue a few inches to 2 to 6 inches; Florida-Friendly often 12 to 18 inches). This form requires the flare visible and mulch not piled on bark, not one inch gap as pass or fail.

Tree mulch 2 to 4 inches deep, pulled off the bark (no volcano): Done, Skip, or N/A

Root flare visible, no soil or mulch burying the trunk

USDA Forest Service and Purdue Extension: the flare where the trunk widens into roots should stay visible. Buried flares and volcano mulch keep bark wet, invite decay and rodents, and can start girdling roots. Pull extra mulch or soil back. A flat-sided trunk at grade can mean an encircling root (Tree Owner's Manual): call an arborist.

Root flare visible, no soil or mulch burying the trunk: Done, Skip, or N/A

Trunks kept free of mower and string-trimmer wounds

USDA Forest Service Tree Owner's Manual: keep lawn mowers and weed whips off the base. Purdue Extension and IFAS: a mulch ring keeps equipment away from bark. Look for fresh cuts, missing bark, or a sunken wound at the grass line. Widen the mulch ring if equipment is still hitting the trunk.

Trunks kept free of mower and string-trimmer wounds: Done, Skip, or N/A

Nursery tags, twine, ties, and stakes not girdling

Purdue Extension: remove tags and twine at the base. As the tree grows they can strangle the trunk or a branch. USDA Forest Service: do not tie string, ribbon, wire, or pet leashes around the trunk. Loosen or remove staking once the tree stands on its own.

Nursery tags, twine, ties, and stakes not girdling: Done, Skip, or N/A

Dead, broken, hanging, or rubbing branches noted from the ground

USDA Forest Service How to Prune Trees: prune first for safety, then health, then appearance. Remove dead, damaged, and rubbing or crossing branches. Tree Owner's Manual: after storms look for hanging limbs, cracks, cavities, fungi, weak unions, and a new lean. Call an arborist if you find those defects. This line is a ground-level look, not a climbing inspection.

Dead, broken, hanging, or rubbing branches noted from the ground: Done, Skip, or N/A

Branches near power lines reported to the utility, not cut by the owner

USDA Forest Service How to Prune Trees: never prune trees that are touching or near utility lines; consult the utility. Tree Owner's Manual: never prune within 10 feet of utility lines; electricity flows through branches. DOE Energy Saver landscaping does not ask you to prune those limbs yourself. Report them. Do not measure 10 feet as a pass or fail on this form.

Branches near power lines reported to the utility, not cut by the owner: Done, Skip, or N/A

Owner pruning done from the ground only, no topping

USDA Forest Service Tree Owner's Manual: if both feet cannot stay on the ground, hire an arborist. How to Prune Trees: do not remove more than one-quarter of the living crown at one time; topping (stubbing, heading, hat-racking) harms trees. Purdue Extension: hire an arborist for branches more than about 3 inches in diameter. Mark N/A if no pruning was due.

Owner pruning done from the ground only, no topping: Done, Skip, or N/A

Dense foliage kept off house walls and the soil at the foundation kept from staying wet

DOE Energy Saver Consumer Guide to Home Landscaping: do not let dense foliage grow against the structure. It can become a pest path, and moisture and roots can become problems. Keep soil around the home dry. In arid climates, check local fire codes for plant spacing. IFAS: move plants that sit too close to walls so air can move and you can reach the house. Mark N/A if no planting is near the house.

Dense foliage kept off house walls and the soil at the foundation kept from staying wet: Done, Skip, or N/A

Shrubs and vines not packed against the outdoor cooling unit

DOE Energy Saver Consumer Guide to Home Landscaping: shading an air conditioner can raise its efficiency by as much as 10 percent. That 10 percent is a published DOE figure, not a pass or fail on this form. Leave airflow around the cabinet. Do not let shrubs, vines, or stacked mulch pack the coil faces. Power off before you reach into the unit. Mark N/A if there is no outdoor unit. Sprinkler spray on the unit stays on an irrigation form.

Shrubs and vines not packed against the outdoor cooling unit: Done, Skip, or N/A

Inspection station

Beds and mulch

Planting beds, shrub beds, and groundcover. Mark N/A if the yard is turf only. Tree-trunk volcanoes stay in Trees. Lawn fertilizer stays in Lawn.

7 items
Beds and mulch

Bed mulch kept about 2 to 3 inches deep, not piled into a mound

EPA WaterSense Water-Smart Landscapes: use mulch to cut evaporation, weeds, temperature swings, and erosion. IFAS: maintain a 2 to 3 inch layer; coarse nuggets may go to 4 inches, then stop. USDA Forest Service: never more than 4 inches over roots. Too much mulch blocks water and air. This is a depth check, not a product brand.

Bed mulch kept about 2 to 3 inches deep, not piled into a mound: Done, Skip, or N/A

Mulch pulled back from shrub stems and the crowns of perennials

Purdue Extension: keep mulch a few inches from trunks of trees and shrubs. IFAS: do not pile mulch against trunks. EPA Water-Smart Landscapes: avoid too much mulch, which can restrict water to roots. Pull volcanoes and wet collars off stems the same way you do on trees.

Mulch pulled back from shrub stems and the crowns of perennials: Done, Skip, or N/A

Weeds pulled from beds before they seed

EPA WaterSense Water-Smart Landscapes: provide regular maintenance and remove weeds. Mulch helps inhibit weeds. Pull or cut weeds before they set seed. Purdue Extension: identify a pest before you spray. This line is weeding, not a required herbicide application.

Weeds pulled from beds before they seed: Done, Skip, or N/A

Mulch refreshed at least yearly, or raked if depth is already enough

EPA WaterSense Water-Smart Landscapes: replace mulch around shrubs and garden plants at least once per year. IFAS: rake matted mulch so water and air can pass, then top up only to the 2 to 3 inch settled depth. Record the date in the header. Mark Skip if you checked depth and did not need to add any.

Mulch refreshed at least yearly, or raked if depth is already enough: Done, Skip, or N/A

Mulch and soil kept off curbs, sidewalks, and storm drains

IFAS: do not mulch to the curb, sidewalk, or water's edge. Organic mulch can wash into storm drains. Sweep spilled mulch and soil back onto beds. Do not hose or blow it into the street drain.

Mulch and soil kept off curbs, sidewalks, and storm drains: Done, Skip, or N/A

No shearing or high-nitrogen feed during a dry spell

EPA Water-Smart Landscapes: avoid shearing plants or giving them high-nitrogen fertilizers during dry periods, because those practices push thirsty new growth. Water and fertilize only as needed. Mark N/A if it is not dry or you did not prune or fertilize beds.

No shearing or high-nitrogen feed during a dry spell: Done, Skip, or N/A

Bed edges kept clear so turf can be mowed without scalping shrubs

IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscaping: define planting bed edges and shapes to make mowing easy. Purdue Extension: a practical mulch ring, often about 3 feet from a tree trunk, keeps mowers off bark. Recut a collapsed edge if the mower is running over stems.

Bed edges kept clear so turf can be mowed without scalping shrubs: Done, Skip, or N/A

Inspection station

Debris, compost, and yard waste

Leaves, clippings, storm limbs, and anything that can clog a storm drain. Do not put yard waste in the street drain. Irrigation blow-out and backflow tests stay on an irrigation form.

6 items
Debris, compost, and yard waste

Leaves off the lawn or mulch-mowed into the turf

Purdue Extension and IFAS: a mat of leaves shades and smothers grass. Mow with a mulching mower, rake leaves for mulch or compost, or let them stay as self-mulch under trees if they are not on turf (IFAS). Mark N/A in a season with no leaf drop.

Leaves off the lawn or mulch-mowed into the turf: Done, Skip, or N/A

Leaves, clippings, and soil kept out of storm drains

IFAS: do not sweep or blow yard waste into storm drains. EPA Composting at Home: use clippings and leaves as mulch or compost, or set them out in the local yard-waste program. Clogged drains flood and send nutrients downstream.

Leaves, clippings, and soil kept out of storm drains: Done, Skip, or N/A

Yard waste composted, used as mulch, or set out in the local program

EPA Composting at Home: grass clippings, leaves, and yard trim are compost ingredients. IFAS: recycle mowing, pruning, and raking waste as mulch or compost. EPA WaterSense: leave clippings on the lawn when you can. Do not dump them in a wetland or a storm ditch.

Yard waste composted, used as mulch, or set out in the local program: Done, Skip, or N/A

Storm limbs and hanging debris cleared or flagged for an arborist

USDA Forest Service Tree Owner's Manual: inspect after storms for broken or hanging branches, new lean, and lifted soil. How to Prune Trees: safety pruning comes first. Owner work stays on the ground. Anything in the wires is a utility call, not a homeowner cut.

Storm limbs and hanging debris cleared or flagged for an arborist: Done, Skip, or N/A

Downspout outlets not buried in mulch or washed-out beds

DOE Energy Saver landscaping: keep soil around the home dry. A buried downspout or a washed mulch gully dumps water at the foundation. Re-open the outlet, rebuild the bed, or add a splash block so water leaves the house. Full gutter cleaning belongs on seasonal house maintenance, not this yard form.

Downspout outlets not buried in mulch or washed-out beds: Done, Skip, or N/A

Plant spacing checked against local fire rules (arid or fire-prone sites)

DOE Energy Saver Consumer Guide to Home Landscaping: in arid climates, check local fire codes for proper plant spacing. Keep dense foliage off the structure. Mark N/A if the site is not fire-prone. This form does not invent a national clearance number.

Plant spacing checked against local fire rules (arid or fire-prone sites): Done, Skip, or N/A

Form details

Service log and sign-off

Write what you finished, set the next dates, then sign. If a large limb, utility line, storm lean, or pest diagnosis needs a license, pick Licensed help needed instead of Visit complete.

9 fields
Service log and sign-off

EPA WaterSense: mow as turf grows, and never take more than one-third in one cut. Peak spring growth may need a shorter interval.

EPA WaterSense: replace mulch at least once per year. Check depth after heavy rain or wind.

Ask your county extension how often to retest. Do not invent an N-P-K pass or fail on this form.

USDA Forest Service Tree Owner's Manual planning table: many broad-leaved landscape trees every few years, conifers only as needed. Utility-line work is the utility's job.

Draw your signature, or upload an image to replace it.

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References

  1. EPA WaterSense - Turfgrass and Water Efficiency (mowing height, one-third rule, footprint watering, clippings, aeration, fertilizer off pavement)
  2. EPA WaterSense - Water-Smart Landscapes brochure (mulch, hydrozones, fertilize only as needed, yearly mulch, mow 2 to 3 inches)
  3. USDA Forest Service - How to Prune Trees (safety then health, utility lines, one-quarter live crown, hire an arborist)
  4. USDA Forest Service - Tree Owner's Manual (mulch 2 to 4 inches, none on bark, max 4 inches, soil-test fertilizer, mower wounds)
  5. DOE Energy Saver 2022 - Landscaping for shade, windbreaks, native plants, and morning watering
  6. DOE Energy Saver - Consumer Guide to Home Landscaping (foliage off walls, fire spacing, shade the outdoor unit)
  7. Purdue Extension HO-236 - Taking Care of Your Yard (mow height, clippings, mulch off trunks, soil test, tags and twine)
  8. University of Florida IFAS - Florida-Friendly Landscaping Handbook (mulch 2 to 3 inches, no volcano, yard waste not in storm drains)
  9. EPA - Composting at Home (leaves, grass clippings, and yard trim as compost)

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These checklists are provided for general reference only. Always verify the steps against local codes, a licensed inspector or a qualified contractor before relying on them, especially for safety-critical work.