What should rental property landscaping include?

A sourced landscape placement dimension

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What makes rental property landscaping easier to maintain?

EPA’s Landscaping Tips recommends planning landscape design around the site and maintenance schedule: “When planning your landscape design, in addition to primary use, also consider factors such as local climate, sun and shade locations, and the maintenance schedule. This plays a big part in how often your landscape receives rainfall and whether your plants must be prepared for a warm climate or cool climate. Although the plant choice will depend on region, you can still have an attractive, functional landscape with water-efficient plants. If you're designing a new landscape or rethinking your current one, the WaterSense Water Budget Tool can help you plan your landscape for water efficiency and tell you if you have designed a landscape that will use an appropriate amount of water for your climate. The WaterSense What to Plant page can help you find the right plants based on your state.” (US EPA — Landscaping Tips); read 2026-11-06.

For a rental property landscape, turn that maintenance schedule into a written description of the planting areas you want cared for. Separate the front approach, side yard, rear outdoor space and any shaded planting beds. For each landscape area, ask the proposal to name the plant care included and the seasonal work that would be a separate decision. EPA’s planning factors give that conversation a structure: use, climate, sun and shade, and the maintenance schedule all belong alongside the drawing.

For planting beds, EPA gives a specific caution about rock mulch: “Different plants require different soil conditions, so it’s best to choose a mulch type based on plant varieties and their soil needs. Organic mulch such as hardwood chips, straw, leaves, pine needles, or grass clippings will help improve the condition of soil, by adding nutrients as it decomposes. Inorganic mulches like rocks, pebbles, or gravel may help to eliminate weeds. Avoid using rock mulches in sunny areas or around non-arid climate plants, as they radiate large amounts of heat and promote water loss that can lead to scorching.” (US EPA — Landscaping Tips); read 2026-11-06.

Rock mulch deserves its own line in a rental landscape proposal. Ask the bidder to identify whether each rock-mulched area is sunny and which plants surround it. EPA’s caution concerns sunny areas and non-arid climate plants; it is a caution about rock mulches in those planting conditions. Comparing the proposed material against the bed’s exposure makes the landscape choice more concrete than asking for an attractive yard with little care.

EPA’s landscape design guidance also makes the maintenance schedule a planning decision. Ask for a handover description showing which landscape tasks remain after the planting work finishes. A proposal for new beds can then be read alongside the recurring care those beds will need, with planting work and maintenance described separately.

Describe the rental landscape layout and recurring care on InstaBids so bidders respond to the same planting scope.

Which plants suit a rental property landscape?

EPA recommends regionally appropriate, low water-using and native plants, with an important establishment qualification: “Use regionally appropriate, low water-using and native plants. Once established, these plants require little water beyond normal rainfall. Also, because native plants are adapted to local soils and climatic conditions, they rarely require the addition of fertilizer and are more resistant to pests and diseases than are other species. Be careful when selecting exotic species, as some may be invasive, which may require more water and could displace native plants. State affiliates of Plant Something may be able to point you in the direction of nurseries in your state who can assist you on plant selection and provide other advice.” (US EPA — Landscaping Tips); read 2026-11-06.

For rental property planting, ask for the proposed plant list and the reason each species suits the local soils and climate. EPA’s little-water-beyond-rainfall statement applies once the plants are established. Keep that qualification in the planting brief: a native label does not describe how a newly planted bed will be watered while roots develop. Ask the landscape proposal to distinguish the established planting objective from the initial care it includes.

EPA also warns that conditions can differ within the same site: “Areas of the same site may vary significantly in soil type or exposure to sun and wind, as well as evaporation rates and moisture levels. Placing plants that prefer shade in open sun will affect their ability to thrive. Be mindful of a site's exposure to the elements and choose plants that will thrive in the site's conditions.” (US EPA — Landscaping Tips); read 2026-11-06.

For each proposed plant group, mark the sun and wind exposure on the landscape sketch. Ask which plants are intended for shade, which suit open sun and which areas have different moisture conditions. EPA’s site-exposure guidance is a reason to compare proposed locations as well as plant names. A planting list without locations leaves out the conditions that determine whether those plants fit this yard.

EPA’s native-plant guidance cautions about exotic species that may be invasive. Ask bidders to state the proposed species, including any substitutions, rather than leaving the landscape specification at shrubs and ground cover. The regionally appropriate plant choice should remain visible when you compare the written proposals.

Add the plant list and sun or shade photos to an InstaBids request before comparing written landscape bids.

What site and soil checks belong in a landscaping bid?

EPA recommends testing the landscape soil before choosing treatments: “Healthy soils cycle nutrients effectively, minimize runoff, retain water, and absorb excess nutrients, sediments, and pollutants. Have your soil tested for nutrient content, pH, soil composition, and organic matter content. Contact your local Cooperative Extension Office or state universities for a soil test kit or soil testing services. Very sandy soil, heavy clay, compacted soil, or extreme soil pH may impact which plants are right for your yard. In these cases, seek advice from a nursery, horticulturist, Cooperative Extension, or other expert.” (US EPA — Landscaping Tips); read 2026-11-06.

For a rental landscaping bid, make soil testing a named deliverable where it is part of the proposed work. Ask whether the landscape assessment covers nutrient content, pH, composition and organic matter, matching the categories in EPA’s guidance. Have the bidder distinguish observations about existing soil from a recommendation to add material. The written landscape scope can then show which treatment follows from the test and where that treatment is proposed.

For sloped landscape areas, EPA’s recommendation carries a condition: “Slopes can be challenging because of the potential for erosion and runoff. If slopes cannot be avoided in your landscape design, install plantings with deeper root zones such as native ground covers and shrubs to provide stabilization and prevent erosion.” (US EPA — Landscaping Tips); read 2026-11-06.

If slopes cannot be avoided in the landscape design, ask how the proposed deeper-rooted native ground covers and shrubs would stabilize the identified areas. Mark those sloped areas separately from level planted beds. EPA’s slope recommendation gives a specific planting approach to discuss; it does not supply a grading plan or determine whether a particular drainage project is suitable. Keep the requested landscape planting work distinct from any proposed earthwork.

EPA’s soil-testing guidance notes that very sandy soil, heavy clay, compacted soil and extreme pH can affect plant choice. Ask the landscape proposal to identify which of those conditions, if any, was observed or tested. A soil-testing allowance without a description of the assessment is harder to compare than a landscape scope that names the information to be delivered.

Post soil observations and slope photos on InstaBids so the landscape bids address the same site conditions.

Where should a rental property keep lawn areas?

For lawn placement, EPA recommends a practical function and a grass suited to the local climate: “If your landscape includes turfgrass, place it strategically in areas where it will have a practical function, and consider using a low-water-use turfgrass suited to grow in your local climate to provide a beautiful lawn that can save water. Our Turfgrass and Water Efficiency page provides information on types of turfgrass and tips on how to maintain a healthy lawn.” (US EPA — Landscaping Tips); read 2026-11-06.

On the rental landscape sketch, identify the turfgrass areas you intend to keep for use. Ask the proposal to explain the practical function of those lawn areas and the low-water-use turfgrass being considered. EPA’s recommendation is about placing turf strategically; it recommends a practical function for turfgrass in the landscape. A written landscape plan can show where turf remains, where planting beds are proposed and how those choices support the intended outdoor use.

For a turfgrass proposal, compare the named grass and the location it would occupy together. EPA specifically connects the turf choice to the local climate. Ask the bidder to describe the suitability of the proposed grass for this property’s exposure and intended use, rather than relying on a general statement that a lawn is drought tolerant. Keep any alternative turfgrass proposal clearly labeled so it is not mistaken for the same planting specification.

EPA’s landscape planning guidance also asks you to consider sun, shade and the maintenance schedule. Carry those factors into the lawn-area drawing: identify shaded edges, open turf and the recurring care being requested for each. That makes the landscape comparison about defined outdoor areas rather than a single undifferentiated yard-care line.

Map the lawn areas and intended outdoor use in an InstaBids landscaping request to compare the written proposals.

What care do new landscape plants need after planting?

EPA distinguishes establishment watering from care after roots develop: “When trees and shrubs are planted, they will normally require irrigation during the establishment period. Once the plants have taken root, irrigation can be reduced and or eliminated. It is also common to surround the plant with a berm that holds the water at the base of the plant, preventing it from flowing away.” (US EPA — Landscaping Tips); read 2026-11-06.

For newly planted trees and shrubs at a rental, ask the landscape bidder to describe irrigation during the establishment period. EPA’s guidance says watering can be reduced or eliminated once plants have taken root; it does not give a universal number of visits or a fixed handover date. Ask the proposal to explain the establishment care included, how plant condition is assessed and which watering tasks remain outside the planting job.

EPA’s mulch guidance gives a depth for most plants and calls for space at woody plant bases: “Applying mulch to a depth of three to four inches provides the right coverage for most plants; excessive amounts of mulch can restrict water flow to plant roots. Leave a few inches of space between organic mulches and the base of trees or other woody plants to prevent rot. Don’t forget to pull any weeds prior to mulching and spread evenly to prevent thin areas where the mulch can’t do its job. The eXtension program (part of the Cooperative Extension System) has additional information about mulch and water conservation.” (US EPA — Landscaping Tips); read 2026-11-06.

For mulch around newly planted beds, EPA’s three to four inches is coverage for most plants, with a warning about excessive amounts. Ask the landscape bid to identify the proposed material, existing mulch and how the finished coverage will be assessed. Include the space between organic mulch and tree or woody-plant bases in the landscape scope. A mulch delivery quantity alone leaves out the placement around plants.

For new trees and shrubs, keep the establishment-period irrigation description beside the planting list in the handover notes. EPA’s distinction between newly planted and rooted plants matters when a proposal covers the planting work only. Ask each landscape bidder to say whether establishment watering is included and what condition marks the transition to the ongoing care being proposed.

Include new-tree watering and mulch placement in an InstaBids scope so the written bids describe the handover work.

Build a planting brief around the actual yard

EPA’s landscape design factors connect climate, sun and shade, intended use and maintenance schedule. Use those factors to organize the proposed landscape work.

1. Record sun, shade and intended landscape use (manager and landscape bidder): EPA recommends considering local climate, sun and shade locations, and the maintenance schedule when planning landscape design.
2. Describe soil test deliverables (landscape bidder): EPA recommends soil testing for nutrient content, pH, soil composition, and organic matter content.
3. Locate functional turfgrass areas (manager and landscape bidder): EPA recommends placing turfgrass strategically where it has a practical function and considering a low-water-use turfgrass suited to the local climate.
4. Define establishment-period plant care (manager and landscape bidder): EPA says newly planted trees and shrubs normally require irrigation during the establishment period.

EPA recommendations behind the planting scope

Copy this rental landscape planting checklist

• Landscape design: sketch sun and shade locations, intended outdoor use and the maintenance schedule for each planting area.
• Soil testing: specify nutrient content, pH, soil composition and organic matter content; distinguish test results from proposed landscape treatments.
• Native plants: list regionally appropriate species and keep the once-established qualification beside the proposed long-term watering plan.
• Site exposure: place each plant group on the sketch with its sun, wind and moisture conditions.
• Slopes: if slopes cannot be avoided in landscape design, describe deeper-rooted native ground covers and shrubs proposed for stabilization.
• Turfgrass: identify the practical function of each lawn area and the grass proposed for the local climate.
• New trees and shrubs: state the irrigation included during the establishment period and the planting handover conditions.
• Mulch: state the material, coverage for most plants and spacing from trees or other woody plants; distinguish the proposed placement from delivery alone.
• Rock mulches: identify sunny areas and non-arid climate plants before proposing rock in a landscape bed.

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Compare planting locations and handover care

Compare rental landscape proposals by their plant locations and site exposure. EPA’s sun, wind, soil and moisture guidance makes a planting sketch part of the comparison: a different location can change whether the same plant fits the design.

Compare newly planted tree and shrub care separately from established landscape care. EPA’s establishment-period irrigation guidance calls attention to the transition after roots develop; ask each proposal to identify the watering work included before the handover.

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Sources

• US EPA — Landscaping Tips, read 2026-11-06: www.epa.gov