A lawn care inspection is the walk a lawn technician makes before and during a service: zone by zone across the turf, noting the grass, how thick and green it is, the weeds, any insect damage or grubs, signs of disease, thatch and the state of the soil, then the shrubs, the irrigation, the treatments applied and the advice left for the customer. This template records each lawn zone separately with photos, lists every product with its EPA Reg. No. and amount, and turns grub damage and turf disease into findings the customer sees first. Fill it in here and download a PDF without an account, or speak while you walk, and the document writes itself.
Zone by zone
A front lawn in full sun and a back lawn under oaks are different lawns, with different grass, different weeds and different problems. Recording them as separate zones keeps the report honest: a thin, shady back yard does not drag down the description of a healthy front lawn, and the customer can see exactly where the problem is.
Each zone records the grass type, how much sun it gets, density, color, weed pressure and the kinds of weeds, insect damage, disease, thatch depth and the soil. A couple of photos per zone make the next visit's comparison quick.
Grubs, insects and disease
Grub damage looks like drought at first: patches that wilt and turn brown and then lift like a loose carpet. Pull back the turf in a few spots at the edge of the damage and count the grubs in about a square foot. The form records the count, and whether it is above the action level your company uses for that grass and region. Grubs at or above that level, and the other turf insects, become findings on the report.
Disease signs, such as rings, spots, patches with dark edges or a cottony growth in the morning, are recorded the same way. When you cannot name the disease, say so; a photo and a sample to a diagnostic lab are better than a guess.
Treatments and the label
Every product applied goes in the treatment list with its name, EPA Reg. No., active ingredient, what it was for, the area treated and the amount used. Fertilizers are not pesticides and carry no EPA Reg. No.; record them in the same list and leave that box as not applicable. The form never suggests a rate. The label sets it.
Many states require lawn markers after certain applications, and some keep registries of people who must be notified before a nearby treatment. The rules differ by state and sometimes by town, so check your state lead agency and record what you posted.
Advice the customer can follow
Much of what makes a lawn healthy happens between visits: mowing high enough, watering deeply and less often, keeping the mower blade sharp. The last section records a recommended mowing height, watering advice and any follow-up work such as core aeration, overseeding or a soil test, so the customer has it in writing.
Common questions
What should a lawn care inspection report include?
The property and date, who did the work, the condition of each lawn area, any pests, weeds or disease found, irrigation problems, the products applied with their EPA Reg. Nos. and amounts, markers posted, and the recommendations. This template covers each of these and the PDF carries them.
How do I count grubs?
Cut and peel back a section of turf about one foot square at the edge of a damaged area, count the grubs in the soil and roots, and repeat in a few spots. Record the count per square foot in the zone. Action levels vary by grass type, region and grub species.
Does fertilizer need an EPA Reg. No.?
No. Fertilizers are regulated differently from pesticides. Combination products that contain a pesticide, such as weed-and-feed, do carry one, so check the label.
Do I have to post lawn signs?
It depends on your state and the product. Many states require markers after lawn pesticide applications, often for a set time. Check your state lead agency. The form records whether markers were placed.
Can this be used for an initial lawn evaluation?
Yes. Choose initial evaluation as the visit type and leave the treatment section off if nothing was applied. The zone list then becomes the baseline you compare against at the next visit.