The Best DIY Lawn-Care Programs and Subscription Services

Ask the average homeowner if they want a healthy green lawn, and they’ll likely say yes. But mere desire for a lush lawn isn’t enough: it’s critical to establish a lawn maintenance schedule and a lawn fertilizer schedule by applying the right product at the right time of year. The best DIY lawn care programs, like our top pick Sunday, take the guesswork out of what to apply when by offering easy-to-follow lawn care plans delivered right to customers’ doorsteps, along with treatment options to improve soil quality, repair damage, and control pests. Homeowners can learn about the top DIY lawn-care subscription services to find the best programs available for their needs. 

1. BEST OVERALL: Sunday Lawn Care
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2. BEST FOR WEEDS & DISEASE: DoMyOwn Turf Box
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3. BEST CUSTOMER SUPPORT: Lawnbright
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At-a-Glance Comparison

Our Top Picks

The DIY lawn care programs and lawn care product subscription services evaluated offered the most comprehensive product selection and nationwide shipping. Other considerations included packaging, sustainability, environmental impact, program costs, and the variety of additional products offered. 

Sunday Lawn Care offers a DIY lawn care solution customized through survey questions about factors such as climate, location, and lawn size and condition. The first box contains a soil test kit, which helps Sunday determine the soil pH and formulate a customized treatment. Sunday also offers grass seed, which can be included in a customer’s plan for overseeding. Customers can also purchase plants separately—including perennials, trees, and shrubs—recommended for their USDA growing zone. Plants that will not survive in the customer’s climate are clearly labeled as such, and those that will are shipped when it’s the right time of year to put them in the ground.

Sunday subscription boxes are shipped seasonally, but the exact number of shipments can vary depending on the length of the growing season. Customers may receive just two shipments or as many as five from the start of the season to the end. It is also possible to begin Sunday mid-season. The number of products and frequency of shipments can also vary based on which plan customers choose. Beyond fertilizer, Sunday also offers pest control, post-emergents, pet damage repair, and treatment for heat-stressed lawns—anything a homeowner could need to get their lawn in tip-top shape. Although Sunday provides products that cover areas ample enough for the average homeowner, the coverage is 13,500 square feet and may not be sufficient for a larger estate. Some customers also found the literature provided with their lawn care kit to be minimal or unclear. This is worth noting, as a lack of clear instructions could lead to mistakes that undermine the treatment’s effectiveness.

Maintaining a lawn isn’t always the most eco-friendly practice, but customers can feel good about using Sunday Lawn Care products without sacrificing the turf aesthetic they’re looking for: Sunday’s products are natural and plant-based, and they include 30 percent post-consumer recycled packaging and transparent recycling guidelines. Sunday also publishes an annual report that goes in depth about its sustainability measures and uses only grass seed from A-LIST, a nonprofit that works with turfgrass industry members to create and promote more sustainable grass varieties and growth methods. Sunday is also a member of 1% for the Planet, a global movement inspiring businesses and individuals to support environmental solutions through membership and everyday actions. 

Read our full review: Sunday Lawn Care

When it comes to lawn issues, DoMyOwn Turf Box makes it easy for customers to diagnose and resolve the most common problems they’ll encounter, including weeds, disease, and pests. After customers take a simple diagnostic test that includes their location and the type of grass seed (they will need to know the type of grass they have), DoMyOwn Turf Box creates a custom program with products shipped at the times they should be applied, taking the guesswork completely out of the equation. Customers can choose from a plan that offers DIY lawn care, weed control, disease control, or a package of both weed and disease control, so they only receive the treatment their lawn truly needs. Customers with large yards or properties will also be pleased to know that DoMyOwn Turf Box has a maximum coverage limit of 20,000 square feet, which is relatively large for a DIY lawn care program.

The DoMyOwn website sells fertilizers, pre-emergent herbicides, fungicides, and pest control solutions for grubs, ants, ticks, and mosquitoes, but these are not included in the subscription box and can be purchased as needed. Customers who sign up for a lawn care subscription box receive an additional 10 percent off these lawn care products.

Lawnbright offers DIY lawn treatments tailored to customers’ unique lawn care needs, based on location, lawn size, and soil tests. The company’s product selections include weed control, pet spot treatment, mosquito and tick control, fertilizer, soil savers, and more. The company’s “Ingredient Promise” guarantees that all products are made with natural ingredients such as cedar oil, kelp, and corn gluten meal. This means that products are completely free of harsh chemicals that can be detrimental to people and the planet. Customers can choose from three plan options based on their lawn size. It’s worth noting that the maximum lawn size for these plans is 10,000 square feet, so larger properties will require a custom quote that may be priced higher. Treatments are scheduled to arrive every 6 to 8 weeks and are automatically paused during a region’s inactive months.

Another key reason to consider Lawnbright is its outstanding customer support. Customers who have specific questions or want additional support can take advantage of the company’s consultation service and speak with a member of the Turf Team for more hands-on support.  Lawnbright also offers free Turf Alerts, text messages with useful information about inclement weather and lawn care tips, such as lawn fertilization schedules and how often to water the lawn. For customers who are inexperienced and have never devised a do-it-yourself lawn care schedule, this additional support can provide some peace of mind. Specific details about these support services are a bit sparse, so those interested will need to reach out to the company to learn more before signing up for a plan.

Finally, Lawnbright shows a commitment to sustainability by donating a percentage of each sale to Non-Toxic Communities, a nonprofit organization that supports communities in efforts to reduce toxic chemicals in their air, water, and soil. Homeowners who prioritize sustainability may feel most comfortable opting for a company that also demonstrates this value. 

How We Chose the Best DIY Lawn Care Programs and Subscription Services

To select the best DIY lawn care programs and subscription services, dozens of options were considered that offer some of the best lawn care products delivered directly to the customer’s doorstep. A variety of considerations, including cost, product and plan range, and shipment frequency, were factored in. Environmental impact was another consideration, including manufacturing and packaging, as well as product ingredients, with a focus on companies that offered more plant-based products for environmental and ethical reasons. Other relevant considerations included whether a company offered pest control or disease solutions, and whether it sold additional products, such as plants and grass seed.

What to Consider When Choosing a DIY Lawn Care Program

Before investing in a DIY lawn care program or subscription service, there are several factors to consider. Establishing a lawn care schedule is important for achieving a healthy lawn, but each program offers different solutions and add-ons. Whether a product is organic, plant-based, or animal-based also factors in. Customers will want to consider how often products are shipped and what kind of packaging the products arrive in. Cost is also a consideration: It may be worth paying a little more for the desired products, but no one wants to pay top dollar for a subpar product. Learning about these DIY lawn care programs up front will help customers determine which one is right for their lawn. 

Subscription Plan Details and Cost

When comparing DIY lawn care subscriptions, in order to create the most effective lawn care schedule, customers will want to know how often the products are shipped. Many do-it-yourself lawn care treatment plans are based on the seasons, and products are shipped accordingly, with some lawn care subscription services delivering products monthly during the active growing season. 

When it comes to the cost of DIY lawn care products, there can be a wide range of price points depending on the type of plan and the products included, as well as whether the customer pays up front for an entire year or season, or pays each month. 

Ingredient and Product Details

With do-it-yourself lawn treatment, the ingredient lists can vary dramatically from product to product. It’s important for would-be customers to know what is in the product they are applying to their grass to determine if it aligns with their needs and values.

• Natural vs. synthetic ingredients: Organic fertilizers are made from natural ingredients, meaning they are derived from organic plant or animal sources. These natural ingredients improve soil structure, providing the three primary nutrients for healthy soil: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Organic ingredients break down slowly and release nutrients gradually, creating a sustainable source of nutrients for plants. Natural ingredients not only provide the primary nutrients plants need but also often contain secondary and micronutrients, which are typically absent in synthetic fertilizers. Synthetic ingredients can provide a quick, high-performing boost of nutrients, but they can also lead to stressed, overfed plants or burned lawns. One of the quickest ways to accidentally ruin a lawn is overfertilizing, so it’s helpful to look for a lawn care program that provides detailed instructions for use, whether the fertilizer is synthetic or natural.  

• Plant-derived vs. animal-derived ingredients: Fertilizers can contain both animal-derived and plant-derived ingredients. Both types can provide the nutrients that soil and plants need. Some of the most common fertilizers have a combination of both animal- and plant-derived ingredients.
  • Animal-based fertilizers contain ingredients such as bone meal, blood meal, and fish meal, as well as animal waste–based ingredients such as cow or chicken manure. These ingredients frequently have a strong odor. Some of these ingredients, especially manure, can burn plant roots because they contain too much nitrogen. Animal waste–based ingredients are also high in salt, which can kill beneficial soil microbes. This is one of the reasons that animal-derived ingredients are considered less environmentally friendly than plant-based ingredients. Additionally, those who are concerned with animal rights may consider animal-derived ingredients unethical. 
  • Plant-based ingredients such as corn gluten, soybean meal, and molasses tend to have less odor. Plant-based ingredients break down slowly over time, providing a more sustainable source of nutrition for plants.
• Liquid vs. granular products: Any lawn fertilizer schedule depends on the type of product being applied and whether the user is fertilizing new grass or established turf.
  • Granular fertilizers are dry, typically small pellets or somewhat sand-like in texture. Many granular fertilizers are slow-release and break down over time, gradually releasing the nutrients into the soil. However, there are also quick-release granular fertilizers. Slow-release granular fertilizers usually require just one application per season. 
  • Liquid fertilizer is a concentrate that is diluted with water before applying. Liquid fertilizer concentrate may be liquid or in a soluble form that dissolves in water. Most liquid fertilizers are quick-release formulations, providing plants with immediate nutrients. These can be effective but will require reapplication. 

• Pre-emergent vs. post-emergent herbicides: An herbicide is a substance toxic to plants that can be used to destroy unwanted vegetation, such as weeds. Conventional herbicides are classified into two categories: pre-emergent and post-emergent. A pre-emergent herbicide is designed to prevent weeds from growing by killing weed seeds before they germinate. A post-emergent is applied to kill existing, sprouted weeds. It does not kill off the new seeds or prevent them from germinating. Different lawns may benefit from different products, and efficacy often depends on outdoor conditions, such as sunlight and rainfall.

Lawn Disease Treatment and Prevention

While prevention of lawn diseases is generally emphasized through healthy lawn care practices and good lawn nutrition, before investing in a lawn care subscription, it’s a good idea to be sure any DIY lawn care program offers some options for the treatment of lawn fungus and diseases. 

Lawn fungus and diseases can occur for a variety of reasons, including improper mowing, overwatering, and using the wrong kind of fertilizer. Despite a good lawn care routine, a fungus or disease may still arise. Common signs include brown patches, yellowing, mushroom growth, or snow mold, which is a silvery substance that appears on the surface of the grass. To avoid the cost of a new lawn, it’s important to treat these problems promptly.

Pest Control Product Availability

Just as diseases and lawn fungus are seemingly inevitable, so too are certain turf pests. For this reason, potential customers will want to know what kind of pest control products a lawn care subscription service offers, if any. The most common culprits responsible for damaging turf are grubs, chinch bugs, sod webworms, armyworms, and cutworms. Customers may also want to seek out control of insects that don’t damage lawns but can make the outdoors less enjoyable, such as mosquitoes, ticks, and ants. 

Many lawn care subscriptions offer pest control along with basic lawn care. When customers are looking for a DIY solution, knowing that the right products are available to suit their pest control needs may also factor into their decision about which subscription or lawn care program to choose. 

Product and Packaging Sustainability 

A lawn care subscription or a DIY lawn service that delivers right to a customer’s door is convenient, but many products are sent in single-use plastic. Customers concerned about sustainability will want to know what type of packaging lawn care products come in. Does this plastic come from recycled or sustainably sourced materials? Are the plastics themselves recyclable? 

Additionally, fertilizer production can emit greenhouse gases, which are detrimental to the environment. Customers may want to evaluate whether the company has policies in place to reduce environmental impact through product manufacturing, packaging, and shipping practices. 

Additional Products Available

While customers may choose a company for its variety of lawn care products, having other supplemental products available to order can be a bonus, as it’s convenient to purchase multiple products from one site. These can include lawn care equipment, such as hand tools, mowers, and other garden tools, as well as plants, such as perennials, trees, and shrubs. 

Before You Use a DIY Lawn Care Program

While the best DIY lawn care programs aim to take the guesswork out of basic lawn care and empower homeowners to care for their own grass, DIY lawn care is not for everyone. For some, time is a consideration: Though DIY lawn care subscriptions aim to minimize the time required, taking care of grass, including routine maintenance, still requires a regular investment of time. This may not be possible for a variety of reasons, including mobility. For this reason, hiring one of the best lawn care services to handle routine lawn care may be a better solution. Many lawn care services also include basic gardening services, such as weeding and hedge trimming, making them more appealing to those with limited time or physical limitations. Additionally, some lawn care services are not included in a DIY program but may still be necessary on occasion. For example, lawn aeration costs $140 on average and is recommended annually. 

For some homeowners, getting a prize-winning yard may feel impossible due to pests, diseases, heat damage, and neglect. Because so many common lawn problems present similarly—brown spots, yellow spots, bare spots—it can be difficult to diagnose and therefore resolve the problem. In some cases, a lawn is better off being overseeded or possibly reseeded and replaced entirely (perhaps with sod, depending on the cost of sod vs. seed). This may mean hiring a lawn care specialist to help tackle bigger issues. 

Additionally, some gardeners prefer to make their own homemade fertilizer. Because fertilizer is the core of these subscription services, if a gardener prefers it, a subscription program may not be worthwhile for them. 

Cost of Using a DIY Lawn Care Program

The average cost of the best DIY lawn care program ranges from $39 per month to $140 per year, though prices can go up considerably if additional products such as grass seed and herbicides are added to the subscription box, reaching $200 per year or more. Customers should keep in mind that lawn care is seasonal, so a monthly subscription service will not ship during the dead of winter, when the lawn is dormant. Typically, a year includes spring, summer, and fall; most DIY lawn care programs include what a lawn needs to boost growth in the spring, at least one application during the active growing season, and a follow-up treatment in the fall.

When comparing costs between DIY lawn care programs and hiring a professional service, DIY is likely the more affordable option. The national average cost for a lawn care service visit is about $124, with a range of $48 to $206, depending on yard size and other factors. Throughout the year, a lawn care service will need to visit several times, depending on the climate and the season. For example, during the active growing season, homeowners may prefer a monthly service, which will cost an average of $124 per visit over 4 to 6 months. However, customers torn between Sunday Lawn Care and TruGreen should note that lawn care services can include maintenance, such as mowing, edging, and more. A DIY lawn care program requires a homeowner to handle all maintenance themselves. 

The Advantages of Using a DIY Lawn Care Program

Having a lush, thriving lawn is an aspirational goal for many homeowners; achieving it is a rite of passage. Besides evoking a sense of pride and boosting curb appeal, here are a few other advantages to using one of the best DIY lawn care programs. 

• No guesswork: No more standing in the aisle at the home improvement store trying to remember what to buy. 
• Fewer mistakes: Products are delivered to be applied within a specific window, so there’s less chance of applying the wrong product at the wrong time and damaging the grass. 
• Control of ingredients: Lawn care services may not offer non-chloride or organic solutions, so DIY lawn care subscriptions offer a way to see exactly what is going in the grass and in the ground.
• Cost-saving: DIY lawn care programs are usually a fraction of the cost of a professional lawn care service. 
• Fresh air and exercise: Homeowners who opt for DIY lawn care programs will spend time outside and get a little exercise, too.

FAQs

Individual lawns have different needs, but there are common questions customers have about DIY lawn care. Here are some of the most frequently asked.

 

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