Lawn and Yard Care

Lawn and yard checklist

From the guide’s own lawn and yard checklist. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.

• Yard tasks confirmed in the lease, in writing
• Mowing regular, no more than about a third of the height at a time
• Mower blades sharp
• Watering deep, less often, early in the morning
• Yard cleared of sticks, stones, toys and pet waste before mowing
• Sturdy shoes and eye protection on, children and pets away
• Mower never filled while running or hot; no fuel stored inside
• Leaves raked in fall
• Garden hoses disconnected before the first freeze
• Mulch and soil kept below the siding
• No tree climbing or ladder trimming
• Dead, leaning or cracked trees and sprinkler leaks shared right away
• Permission asked before planting, digging or removing anything

All done. Time to enjoy the yard.

A few things to avoid

• Please don’t remove trees, shrubs or plants, or dig new garden beds, without written permission.
• Please don’t use weed killers, pesticides or fertilizers beyond what the label allows, or without checking first.
• Please don’t park vehicles on the lawn or leave heavy items sitting on grass for long periods.
• Please don’t fill a gas mower while it is running or hot, and please don’t store fuel inside the home.
• Please don’t climb trees or use a ladder to trim branches. That work belongs to the owner or a qualified professional.

Not sure if the lawn needs water? Push a screwdriver into the grass. If it slides in easily about six inches, the soil is moist enough. If it fights you, it is time to water.

If something outdoors needs repair

1. If anything is an immediate danger, like a fallen tree or branch on a power line, stay far away and call 911 and the utility right away.
2. For a broken sprinkler or outdoor faucet leak, turn off the water at the irrigation or outdoor valve if you know where it is.
3. Keep children and pets away from the problem area until it is safe.
4. Take a few clear photos of what you see, from a safe distance.
5. Share it in writing as soon as you can, with your photos.
6. Follow up kindly if you haven’t heard back. Sharing it was exactly the right thing to do.

What each season asks for

These are examples to get you started, not a complete list.

• Spring: Clear winter debris, check sprinklers and outdoor faucets for leaks, and start mowing once the grass is actively growing. It is also a good time to look at trees for winter damage and share anything that looks risky.
• Summer: Mow a little higher, water deeply in the early morning, watch for dry spots or pests, and pull weeds while they are small.
• Fall: Rake or mulch leaves, keep drains and gutters clear, and disconnect garden hoses before the first freeze so outdoor faucets don’t burst.
• Winter: Keep walkways clear, stay off frozen grass when you can, and share branches weighed down by snow or ice.

Set your mower a little higher in summer. Taller grass shades its own roots, holds moisture better and helps crowd out weeds.

Who often handles what

Many leases ask residents of single family homes to handle everyday care like mowing, watering and raking, while owners handle trees, irrigation repairs and bigger landscaping. In apartments and shared buildings, the grounds are usually handled by the owner. Every lease is different, so the written lease is always the guide.

Before the season begins

From the guide’s list for owners. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.

• Spell out yard responsibilities clearly in the lease: mowing, watering, leaves, snow, trimming, trees and irrigation.
• Have trees and shrubs trimmed away from the roof, siding, walkways and utility lines, using a qualified professional for large trees.
• Check that outdoor faucets, hoses and any sprinkler system work and don’t leak.
• Make sure the ground slopes away from the foundation and downspouts carry water away from the home.
• If residents are asked to mow, say in writing whether a working mower and tools are provided.
• Note the condition of the lawn, plants, trees and fences on the move in report, with photos and the season noted.

All done. A simple seasonal yard list shared at move in removes almost all the guesswork.

Ongoing care and repairs

• Respond promptly to reports of dead or leaning trees, broken limbs, drainage problems or irrigation leaks.
• Schedule the seasonal tasks you handle, like sprinkler start up, winterizing and fall cleanup.
• Use licensed professionals for tree removal, pest control and pesticide application where required.
• Be fair about yard condition at move out, considering the season, the weather and what the lease asked for.
• Write down what was reported, what was done and when, and follow up kindly to make sure everyone is happy with the result.

Guides that go well with this one

• Sprinklers and Irrigation
• Deck and Patio Care
• Gutters and Downspouts
• Preventing Frozen Pipes
• Pest Prevention

Helpful resources

EPA WaterSense: Outdoors and CPSC: Lawn and Garden Safety Tips. Rules about yard upkeep, watering and tree trimming differ from place to place, so a quick look at your lease and the rules where your home is goes a long way.