The Ultimate Lawn Care Guide — Essential Tips And Tricks For Getting The Perfect Lawn
Someone cutting the grass with a lawn mower
Many of us take pride in having a green, healthy lawn in front or in back of our house. But keeping the grass greener on your side of the fence takes a lot of work and know-how. Over the years, our experts have written a number of lawn care articles on Tom's Guide, and we've gathered them all here in one place to make it easier to find the help you're looking for.
Our how-tos and tips cover everything from knowing the right time to plant grass seed — and the right type of seed to use — to watering your lawn efficiently, mowing to get the best results and how to get rid of weeds without resorting to harsh chemicals.
Planting grassA hand dropping grass seed onto the ground
7 of the best grass types to grow — and which to get Want to know which grass type to grow? Here, we cover 7 of the best options, including warm-season grasses, cool-season grasses and ...
Grass seed vs sod — what's best for your lawn? Is it better to plant grass seed or lay sod? Here, we break down the pros and cons of each.
How to plant grass seed and get a greener yard The proper way to plant grass seed in your yard.
9 mistakes you're making when planting grass seed If you've spread grass seed, but nothing's coming up, you might be making one of these mistakes.
How to overseed your lawn in fall and when to do it The fall is a good time to add more grass seed; here's how to do it properly.
Lawn maintenancehand touching healthy lawn
5 ways to improve your soil for a healthier lawn If you want greener grass, check out these top tips to improve your soil quality, and help your lawn thrive.
How to make your lawn thicker in 7 simple steps Want a thicker lawn? Here, we cover what you need to do step-by-step to get your grass looking thick and full.
5 ways to get rid of moss in your lawn and keep it green If your lush lawn has unsightly moss growing in it, here's how to get rid of moss in just five easy ways.
7 ways to revive a dried lawn and make it green again Here' s how to revive a dried lawn and turn your brown grass green again
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How to aerate a lawn and when you should do it Want to know how to aerate a lawn? Here, we cover what you need to do and when you need to do it to get the best grass possible.
How to make your grass greener in 8 easy steps Want to know how to make grass greener? It's a simple process and here we take you through what to do step-by-step.
How to dethatch a lawn for healthier grass Want to know how to dethatch a lawn? Here, we take you through what you need to do and when you need to do it.
Bug and weed removaldandelions in grass
How to get rid of lawn grubs for a pest-free backyard If nasty grubs have taken over your backyard, here's how to get rid of lawn grubs once and for all.
How to get rid of dandelions without ruining your lawn If you want to know how to get rid of dandelions, here's how to banish these pesky plants once and for all.
7 ways to kill weeds naturally — no chemicals required Here's how you can kill weeds in your lawn and yard without chemicals
How to get rid of crabgrass without damaging your lawn Knowing how to get rid of crabgrass can keep your lawn looking neat and tidy. Here, we breakdown how to deal with this weed.
7 ways to get rid of mushrooms in your yard Don't let fungi ruin your landscaped lawn; use these easy ways to get rid of mushrooms in your yard.
9 things to consider before using pesticide in your yard Pesticides should be handled with great care. Here are nine things to consider before using it.
WateringA sprinkler system watering the lawn
How much should you water your lawn to keep it green Find out how much should you water your lawn for greener results
7 mistakes to avoid when you water your lawn Make any one of these mistakes when watering your lawn, and you could be doing your yard more harm than good.
7 signs you're overwatering your yard Are you guilty of overwatering your yard? Here are seven signs that your grass is drowning.
How to fix a waterlogged lawn for a healthy yard If you've ever wondered how to fix a waterlogged lawn, follow these top tips to help your garden thrive.
Fertilizer tipsA man using a spreader on the lawn
How often should you fertilize your lawn and when to do it How often should you fertilize your lawn for the best results? Here's the answer
5 mistakes you make when applying fertilizer to your yard Are you guilty of making any of these mistakes when applying fertilizer?
How to put lime on your lawn and when to do it If you want greener grass all year round, here's how to put lime on your lawn for the best-looking backyard.
Mowing the lawn tipsMowing lawn
How often should you mow the lawn? We asked the experts The general rule of thumb is to never cut more than one-third the height of the grass, and it's better for the health of a lawn to leave grass a ...
7 lawnmower mistakes you're probably making right now If you want to spruce up your lawn, make sure you don't make any of these common lawnmower mistakes.
How to stripe your lawn and make it look bigger If you've always wanted a striped lawn, follow these three steps and have the best backyard in the neighborhood.
No Mow May — 7 reasons to stop mowing your lawn Want to know more about No Mow May? We look into the benefits of letting your grass grow, and why it's important.
9 ways to get the most out of your lawn mower Want to get more out of your lawn mower? We've pulled together nine tips and tricks to improve your lawn mower's performance.
7 signs that you're cutting your grass too short Many of us are guilty of cutting our grass too short. Here's how you can tell and why you should stop.
9 ways you can reuse grass clippings after mowing Get the most out of your leftover grass with these clever ways you can reuse your clippings in your yard.
How to sharpen lawn mower blades in 9 simple steps Want to know how to sharpen lawn mower blades? Here, we cover what you need to do to get your mower working as good as new.
When should you stop mowing your lawn for the winter? Get your garden winter-ready, and find out when you should stop mowing your lawn for the colder months ahead.
Robot lawn mowers — 5 reasons to buy and 5 reasons to skip We've found the pros and cons of buying a robot lawn mower
How to store a lawn mower and protect it through the winter We'll cover storage for all types, so follow the steps below and store your lawnmower correctly over winter.
More from Tom's GuideI Used Sunday Lawn Care For Just 2 Months—Now My Lawn Is Unrecognizable
Photo: getsunday.Com
Making sure the grass is always greener isn't always easy. From figuring out the best lawn fertilizer for your needs to knowing when to apply it, achieving a healthy lawn is the result of a long process and many steps. Problems like dead grass, a heat-stressed lawn, damaging pet messes, and weeds can make knowing how to treat your lawn even more complicated. Applying chemicals may seem like a quick fix, but this has long-term repercussions for the environment and can negatively impact the health of children and pets living in the home.
Enter Sunday Lawn Care, a subscription service designed to streamline the entire lawn-care process by providing users with a customized DIY treatment plan made up of eco-friendly ingredients—all delivered precisely when your lawn needs them.
Although I'm fairly knowledgeable about lawn care (meaning I know what the steps are to maintain a lawn), I've never quite managed to get my front lawn looking great. I decided to put Sunday Lawn Care to the test. I ordered the Smart Lawn Plan including grass seed. Here's what happened to my lawn.
See more of the best lawn care services.
Photo: getsunday.Com
Our Verdict: Sunday Lawn Care's top offering, the Smart Lawn Plan, is a convenient lawn-care subscription box that provides customers with a customized lawn-care plan based on factors such as location, climate, and soil quality. The boxes are delivered seasonally right to the customer's doorstep, so it's easy to know when it's time to use the products. The Smart Lawn Plan subscription primarily offers liquid nutrient pouches (along with the sprayer attachment to use with your own hose) formulated to address a customer's lawn-specific needs, based on a soil sample as well as climate. All of Sunday's products are pet- and child-safe and focus on improving soil to sustain a lawn's health without the use of chemicals. It is a worthwhile purchase for someone who wants to maintain a beautiful lawn but doesn't have the knowledge or time to get the right products at the right time. Sunday also carries products such as fertilizers and nutrients, grass seed, weed killers, and pet spot treatments in addition to a variety of tools and garden accessories.
SPECS
PROS
CONS
Sunday Lawn Care claims to take the guesswork out of lawn care by providing customers with a care plan tailored to their lawn's needs. The products, including application tools, arrive shortly before the optimal time to apply them. Sunday's lawn care products are intended to help improve the soil, thereby improving the lawn's longevity and health and ultimately making lawn care easier for the customer. Sunday's plan can also help troubleshoot common problems, such as pet spots and weeds, and offer solutions and products to reduce or repair the damage.
Additionally, Sunday can deliver plants and trees suited to a customer's climate zone, gardening tools and accessories, and pest-control products to help treat or prevent pest infestation. The company also offers an extensive online database of tips and tricks for healthy lawn and garden.
DIY Lawn Care. Simplified.
Bob Vila has partnered with Sunday to get your lawn exactly what it needs to thrive.
START GROWING
How It WorksSunday offers an easy way to maintain a healthy lawn by sending customers exactly what they need, when they need it. Customers who want to test out the service are asked to sign up for an online account. This allows them to take a short diagnostic quiz and enter information, including their street address. Sunday uses this survey along with historical weather data, known climate trends, and satellite imagery of a customer's home to determine what type and how much fertilizer for new grass or existing grass and seed to send. The first delivery contains a pre-addressed soil sample kit, which customers send back to Sunday. The next customized box will provide products that address any nutrient deprivation determined from the sample.
Photo: getsunday.Com / Amber Guetebier
Because it's a subscription model, the box arrives when the customer should use the products. There are instructions that come with the box that provide a window for application (a customer can access this information in their online account as well). A customer's online account also displays pertinent information, such as the suggested window of time for application.
Sunday also suggests relevant add-ons, such as weed killer, additional seed, applicators, and gardening accessories that can either be added to an order or delivered separately. They can also deliver live plants that have been specially selected for the customer's climate.
Plans, Services, and ProductsSunday's yearly Smart Lawn Plan includes what a customer needs to care for their lawn for the year. These products come in four shipments.
Photo: getsunday.Com / Amber Guetebier
Sunday also offers live plants, including trees and shrubs selected based on the customer's USDA growing zone. These plants are delivered to the customer at the right time for planting, making it easier for customers to know what to plant when. Growing tips and expert advice are available on the website. Additionally, customers can shop for gardening supplies including plant food, gardening tools such as spades and pruners, and even mowers and hedge trimmers.
Product Ingredients and Eco-FriendlinessSunday was founded by two brothers who wanted to make effective lawn-care products while minimizing environmental impact. Sunday's products are all eco-conscious, pet-safe, and kid-safe. They are made with "transparent, bio-based formulas" with ingredients such as seaweed, molasses, soy protein, and beetroot juice. Sunday even provides a list of commonly found harmful ingredients that Sunday states they will never use in their products, such as malathion and pendimethalin. The company's aim is to create healthy soil and create a sustainable lawn using eco-conscious fertilizers that requires less water and that is ultimately more sustainable.
Quotes and CostAfter taking the diagnostic quiz and entering their name and email address, a customer is able to see the pricing for their yearly subscription, which includes four shipments. The pricing starts at $119 for the year and includes tools such as a hose-end sprayer (though the customer needs their own hose), a soil test kit, lawn-nutrient pouches, printed directions, access to the online database of expert advice and tips, and responsive customer service throughout. Cost can go up considerably if a lawn is larger and requires more than one nutrient pouch for coverage or if a customer requires seed. However, it's worth keeping in mind that Sunday periodically has seasonal sales which can reduce costs for new customers and that searching for "get sunday cost" may not yield accurate answers.
Additional items, such as seed for reseeding, can be added to the yearly subscription. All pricing is clearly marked, and a subscription can be canceled at any time. Customers also receive a discount for renewing their subscription for the following year.
DIY Lawn Care. Simplified.
Bob Vila has partnered with Sunday to get your lawn exactly what it needs to thrive.
START GROWING
Results and GuaranteeSunday offers a guarantee that it can improve your lawn health, and it stands behind its products. This means that if the customer does not achieve favorable results they can contact Sunday for a replacement product or a way to help resolve the issue. If any product is damaged, Sunday will replace it. In addition to an extensive online resource section, including frequently asked questions, the company offers responsive customer service 7 days a week during business hours (9 a.M. To 5 p.M. MST). Outside of business hours, the typical response time is within 24 hours.
Putting Sunday to the TestWe recently put Sunday back to the test for the spring/summer 2023 season. For the latest results, scroll down to check out how our writer was shocked by the results after just two weeks!
Although I was initially skeptical, overall, I have been really happy with the results of using Sunday's Smart Lawn Care plan so far. Apart from a minor shipping delay and somewhat confusing instructions, once I understood how to use the products I found the process easy and quite effective. My grass definitely looks greener and healthier!
I am an avid gardener and formerly owned my own landscaping business, but I don't actually have a lot of experience with turf since my business was based in a heavily populated urban area where relatively few people had lawns. I moved to an entirely new climate several years ago, so what worked on my grass along the California coast doesn't seem to work for my suburban Midwestern lawn. My lawn has had dry spots, snow mold, pet spots, partial shade, and weeds. Plus, I have pets and kids on my lawn frequently, so using products that contain chemicals, even some of the best weed and feed, has never been an option for me. The fact that Sunday's products are made with eco-conscious ingredients was appealing to me.
Signing Up for Sunday Lawn CareThe sign-up process for Sunday's lawn care subscription was incredibly user-friendly: I simply answered a few questions about the state of my lawn and what my trouble spots were and entered my address. The satellite image of my home was used to give an estimate as to how many square feet of lawn I had—this was the basis for a recommendation for how much product I needed. I was able to adjust it based on my own knowledge (for example, one section of what looks like my lawn in the image is actually maintained by my neighbor). Sunday then recommended a specific Smart Lawn Plan for me. I opted to upgrade to include a bag of seed to fill in the larger patches in my lawn, and Sunday calculated the Fescue Rescue (the lawn seed) for my northern climate.
Within a couple of days of ordering the plan, Sunday let me know that, though items ideally ship together, because of existing supply chain issues, my seed may come later. The company sent numerous updates about where and when to expect my shipment.
Unboxing My First Sunday Lawn Care OrderI ordered my Smart Lawn Plan on May 4 and received everything by May 17.
The first box in my Smart Lawn Plan subscription had everything I needed to use the nutrient pouches and take a soil sample.
The process for taking and sending the soil sample really couldn't be easier. You simply take the little provided tool and take samples from at least three different sections of your yard. You may need to do it several times to fill the bag up enough. There's a provided pre-addressed box for the pouch, so all I needed to do was send it off. I was worried the box would split open, so I added some extra packing tape to seal it, but it was probably unnecessary. I sent the soil sample in on May 23 and the results came back May 31, just over a week later. Of note, Sunday's predicted soil composition based on the initial survey was nearly identical to the soil sample results. The soil samples do help to customize future Sunday lawn fertilizer nutrient packs to address any nutrient gaps.
Using Sunday Lawn CareTo start, one of the relatively few issues I had with Sunday overall was that the included literature was incredibly minimal, which led to some confusion over what I should do first. Because I needed to overseed, I wasn't sure how long after seeding I could apply the nutrient pouch or if I was meant to spray it as a first step (some lawn-care professionals would recommend adding fertilizer to the soil before seeding as a way to lower the soil's pH).
Sunday encourages customers to scan a QR code for directions or go online to get further details, but when I am outside doing yard work I'd prefer to have a written step-by-step guide to refer to, rather than needing to log on to a website or look at a screen in the sun. When I contacted customer service for clarification, they were incredibly responsive and less than 24 hours later had provided me with instructions, an explanation of how to find the information on their site, and additional literature I could print at home. All in all, this is a minor complaint; many won't have an issue consulting their phones or have trouble remembering instructions before using the products. After all, the steps are quite easy to follow.
DIY Lawn Care. Simplified.
Bob Vila has partnered with Sunday to get your lawn exactly what it needs to thrive.
START GROWING
Ultimately, Sunday's customer service encouraged me to seed first if possible. That's where I ran into the only other issue I had. The directions for the seeding process were too basic and really minimized the labor involved in the process. The Fescue Rescue directions were simply "weed, rake, apply seed evenly, and keep watered." I know from past experience that there are many other steps involved in seeding, including mowing, aeration, and dethatching (and I probably should have done all the prep prior to the seed arrival). My lawn is over 4,000 square feet, so this was a lot of work. If you are unable to perform this labor yourself, you may need to enlist or hire help.
Items you may need for reseeding that aren't included in the box are:
Many customers may not need to seed their lawn at all. Sunday states that its products will help existing grass grow, so smaller patches where you've removed weeds, for example, will likely just fill in from the stimulated growth of the existing grass. However, if you have larger areas to cover like I did, you'll want to seed them.
The grass seed was high quality and once I did all the prep work—which I'll admit wasn't that thorough since it was getting late in the season and I wanted to get the grass sprouted before the hot weather arrived—I kept the grass well watered. I noticed sprouting after about a week and a half. There were a few spots that didn't come in as successfully, but I honestly attribute that to my imperfect use of the product and not the quality of the seed.
Once the grass had grown in enough (about 2 weeks after seeding) I applied the nutrient pouch. This was without a doubt the easiest application of lawn fertilizer I've ever used. All you need is a hose and a few minutes. You simply take off the top of the pouch, screw on the provided hose applicator, and then attach it to the hose and spray. The only thing you need to be sure of is to apply it evenly. The entire endeavor took less than 15 minutes for the front section of my lawn, and about the same for the back area. In case customers are truly clueless on how to use this product, Sunday also provides a handy quick video for how to apply the nutrients using the nutrient pouches.
Other than that, you simply wait and water your lawn according to the weather. I watered my lawn on an average regular schedule (we have water restrictions here) watering every 3 days or so until it started getting in the 80s or higher. Then I watered my lawn at night, every other night, running the sprinkler for about 30 to 40 minutes.
But… Did It Work?Though my grass seemed to be lusher, at first I wasn't entirely convinced it was due to Sunday's products: The warmer weather and early summer rains definitely helped the grass grow.
It wasn't until I referenced my "before" pictures that I became a believer that Sunday's nutrient pouch had made a difference. The grass was not just thicker, but definitely greener. My verdict? My grass is healthier than it's been in years.
Will I Continue to Use Sunday Lawn Care?Because this is a subscription box, your online account provides you with a schedule of what to expect in your next three shipments. Each item is tied to an optimal window for application, but if you can't make that window or your shipment is late for some reason, you can contact customer service to find out if it's still OK to apply. You can also shop on Sunday for any additional items you may need, such as weed control products. If you don't agree with the plan the company is providing for any reason, you can contact customer service to have it dialed in to your liking, but for most people, Sunday's expertise will give them what they need.
Sunday encourages you to replenish the soil with nutrients optimal for growing grass, which means, like with all gardening, patience is a virtue. Although you won't see overnight results, I saw steady results during the first phase and I am definitely looking forward to watching my grass improve throughout the growing season.
Overall, my experience with Sunday's Smart Lawn Plan was very positive, and I look forward to following the next steps to improve the long-term health of my lawn. My thoughts and main takeaways are:
DIY Lawn Care. Simplified.
Bob Vila has partnered with Sunday to get your lawn exactly what it needs to thrive.
START GROWING
I Was Not Prepared For What Sunday Did To My Wrecked, Ugly Lawn In Just 2 WeeksWe first tested Sunday Lawn Care in the summer of 2022 and saw some truly exceptional results. In fact, our tester was so impressed by what Sunday Lawn Care's custom plan did for her brown, patchy lawn, that she signed up for another season of products delivered straight to her door! Stay tuned to see some updated results and a recount of her latest experience with Sunday Lawn Care's custom plan.
My lawn emerged from the winter 2022 season dull and brown. The grass was patchy, too—overall ugly and unsightly to say the least. I wanted to bring it back to its former glory. After a successful trial with Sunday last summer, I once again turned to the custom lawn plan to get my lawn back on track before the weather really warmed up.
To start, I ordered my Smart Lawn Plan on February 23 and everything arrived just 6 days later. My first box contained everything I needed for application from spring to summer, including three different nutrient pouches. The box contained:
Photo: Amber Guetebier for Bob Vila
Last year I started my Sunday Lawn Care mid-May, but this year I wanted everything ordered in advance of the growing season. According to Sunday's website (and my own past experience as an expert in lawn care), the first application for my climate zone wouldn't need to occur until late April, so I had a few months to wait—impatiently, too! In the meantime, I was able to set up my account and order everything so that it arrived well in advance of the suggested application date. This is a really nice feature, since where I live the weather often goes from frozen to almost-summer seemingly overnight; year after year, I find myself scrambling to keep up with all the yard duties. It's well worth noting my grass is high traffic; kids play on it nearly every day, and I also have a dog who loves to zoom around the yard.
Sunday suggested that the first application fall specifically between April 15 and April 22. However, the ideal temperature for this first application is between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and it had been consistently in the 40s until the very end of that window. We even had a shocking late-season snowfall that set my timeline back. I was worried that this would affect the strength or the efficacy of the products.
While I was waiting for the temperature to warm up a bit more, I tested my soil using the provided test kit (it's so easy to use—even gardening novices will have trouble finding issue with it). While I had tested my soil last year, it's wise to retest soil periodically. After testing the soil, I donned my gloves and did some basic lawn care prep: I removed all the debris such as fallen sticks and last autumn's leaves. I also did some light raking and dethatching. When it was all done, my grass looked patchy, and frankly still unsightly—but I was hopeful. Last year, I had great results using Sunday, so I opted to not overseed the patches. I was hoping that nurturing the grass that was there would prevent the need to overseed this season.
Photo: Amber Guetebier for Bob Vila
Photo: Amber Guetebier for Bob Vila
I applied my first product (the Active Lawn Nutrient Pouch) on April 28 when the temperatures finally hovered just around 50 degrees Fahrenheit for a couple of days in a row (slightly outside the suggested window, but squarely in the range of recommended temperature for application). There was also no expected rain, which was ideal: Sunday recommends you apply nutrients when there's no forecasted rain for at least 24 hours. The entire process takes just under 30 minutes to apply one pouch of product with medium hose pressure. Most of my neighborhood participates in No Mow May, so there wasn't much to do but wait.
Photo: Amber Guetebier for Bob Vila
But I didn't have to wait very long: My lawn looked noticeably much, much healthier by May 10. That was just about 2 weeks after the first application, and with no additional care or watering! I was honestly kind of shocked and was not prepared for this kind of result, and so quickly, too. I could tell there were still some bare patches, which would have been covered if I'd seeded the patches, but I was still thrilled with the results.
Photo: Amber Guetebier for Bob Vila
Photo: Amber Guetebier for Bob Vila
The next nutrient pouch, Lawn Vitality, had a suggested application date between May 23 and May 30; I applied it on May 23 .
Photo: Amber Guetebier for Bob Vila
One week later I decided to finally mow the grass. That's when the results of the first two products shone: While my lawn may still show some bare patches, and I do think it would benefit from some overseeding, there are virtually no weeds present and the grass itself is robust and healthy. My next application of the Grass Powerhouse Nutrient Pouch will be between June 30 and July 7.
Photo: Amber Guetebier for Bob Vila
Photo: Amber Guetebier for Bob Vila
Photo: Amber Guetebier for Bob Vila
DIY Lawn Care. Simplified.
Bob Vila has partnered with Sunday to get your lawn exactly what it needs to thrive.
START GROWING
Stay tuned for the next installment of Amber's second test of Sunday Lawn's custom lawn care plan…
Get Sunday Reviews by CustomersEven though every lawn will have its own specific needs, overall Sunday Lawn Care reviews are consistently favorable (searching for specific queries such as "sunday fertilizer reviews" and "sunday grass review" would cover specific products). The most common themes across positive reviewer recommendations are the convenience of having items shipped right to your door, the ease of use of the nutrient pouches, and the fact that Sunday's lawn-care products are safe for both kids and pets. Most users that have had a chance to apply the products and see results offer positive comments regarding the appearance of their lawn after just 1 or 2 months of use. On Sunday's own website, the products receive an average rating of 4.3 stars across approximately 6,000 reviews. Trustpilot gives Sunday 3.1 stars, though that's based on only two reviews—a 1-star review and a 5-star review. The following are a sample of customer reviews for Sunday Lawn Care:
"I've always struggled with keeping my lawn green through the hot/dry Summer here in Southern CA. But this year was way different! Stayed green and healthy all year long!" via Tyler, Sunday website
"This product is excellent. Helped an okay lawn turn green, lush, and full without harmful chemicals for my dog. This is effective and super helpful for all lawn care." via Zachary, Sunday website
"Great products! I really enjoyed using them for my lawn." via Emmanuel, TrustPilot
Criticisms of note focus less on the products and more on the process. These critiques include the lack of instructions with the first box, the cost ultimately adding up to be higher than the cost of buying each item oneself, shipping delays, and the website being confusing to navigate when trying to add products to a shipment. For example, one Reddit review of Sunday Lawn Care complained that Sunday failed to send two of their shipments entirely and that they never actually got their soil test results back. They also noted the plastic hose-attachment sprayer broke by the time the last shipment came. Another wished the soil test kit was the first step so that you could send that in before the first application. Currently, shipping delays are an issue the company acknowledges with all new customers that sign up.
How Sunday Stacks Up to the CompetitionSunday Lawn Care is truly in a league of its own: it's the newest and perhaps the most comprehensive DIY-focused service on the market. There is no clear competition in this regard, though homeowners may be comparing Sunday Lawn Care vs. TruGreen or similar professional lawn-care companies. Typically, a customer could either opt for a professional service to take care of their lawn from start to finish, or they could purchase all items individually without the level of customization based on their lawn's specific needs. Sunday merges the best of both methods to become an excellent choice for the handy homeowner who wants to spend a little time on lawn care but doesn't want to dedicate an entire afternoon—and who doesn't necessarily know what exactly they need to do. Between the online tutorials and the simple-to-use products, Sunday is a great investment for people with average-size lawns. The amount of fertilizer needed is perhaps the biggest guessing game homeowners play, especially when they don't know their soil composition. In this regard, Sunday offers a big advantage.
Should You Use Sunday Lawn Care?Sunday Lawn Care provides nearly everything one would need to revive and maintain a healthy lawn, but potential customers still may be doubtful. Individuals are encouraged to consider the following to determine if Sunday Lawn Care is right for them:
Sunday is likely a great fit for lawn-care newbies with a "decent-looking" lawn. Not much more than a hose is needed to apply the nutrient pouches—the core product of Sunday's Lawn Care subscription. More broadly, Sunday is a great fit for a moderate-size lawn that needs primarily regular fertilization, such as for spring and fall maintenance. Even if a lawn has a few brown spots from pets or there are bare spots in the lawn, Sunday's products will prove effective in helping the lawn thrive. Because the products are low-risk and sustainable, homes with pets and children that use the lawn will likely find Sunday's products to be a good fit, too.
When it comes to weeds, Sunday's products spot-treat, which means there is no large-scale grass-safe treatment to apply. If a lawn has just a few weeds, you can use Sunday's spot treatments effectively. However, if turf is heavy with weeds, most of the weeds need to be removed by hand, resulting in a lot of empty patches that will likely require reseeding. For some, it may be easier to apply a weed-and-feed in either the spring or the fall and opt for Sunday's products for the next season. For example, if turf is overgrown with weeds in the fall, apply a weed-and-feed and buy Sunday's subscription the following spring to bolster healthy soil and turf.
If grass covers more than 13,500 square feet (which is a fairly enormous residential lawn), Sunday's Smart Lawn products won't be very useful, according to Sunday's own website. Lawns of this side benefit from a commercial-size application rather than a hose-end sprayer.
While Sunday takes a lot of the guesswork out of lawn care, especially in terms of scheduling regular seeding, it doesn't take the actual physical work out of repairing and restoring a lawn. If a lawn requires it, there are several steps to prep a lawn for overseeding, including dethatching and aeration. Sunday provides customers with online instructions, but customers will need to know the process does require a level of physical labor that may not be possible for everyone. In addition, more tools will be required, such as an aerator and a seed spreader for even seed distribution. If a lawn is more than 50 percent dead, it typically means that completely reseeding is necessary. This involves removing all of the dead grass and prepping the soil. Customers may prefer a professional lawn care service for more extensive work, though that will likely have a higher lawn-care cost than a DIY method like Sunday Lawn.
Regardless of some of the limitations of Sunday's subscription service, it's still a wonderful DIY solution for many people. It can certainly help empower home lawn-care enthusiasts and encourage them to take matters into their own hands one easily digestible step at a time, with products that keep both families and the environment safe.
DIY Lawn Care. Simplified.
Bob Vila has partnered with Sunday to get your lawn exactly what it needs to thrive.
START GROWING
A Note About Pest Control…While we haven't tested Sunday's custom pest control plan, our in-depth, research-driven review of the top options on the market revealed that Sunday's custom pest plan is worth considering; it's our top pick among the best DIY pest control packages. The benefits of opting for this plan mirror the benefits of choosing Sunday for DIY lawn care: it's a plan tailored to one's needs and circumstances—which means you get everything you need and nothing you don't. Sunday's pest control products also use relatively low-risk ingredients, so customers can feel good about their purchases.
We independently reviewed this service by weighing the company's claims against first-hand experience with its products. However, due to factors such as franchising, human error, and more, please note that experiences with this company may vary.
The 12 Best Lawn Care Products Of 2023 For A Healthy And Beautiful Yard
lawn
Keeping your lawn or garden looking its best not only adds to the curb appeal of your home but also makes it more enjoyable when you spend time in your yard alone or entertaining others. While taking care of the yard may seem like a daunting task, the right products make all the difference.
Along with scouring the internet for the top-rated picks, our experts have tested some of the most popular lawn care equipment and products out there for the best picks, from self-propelled lawn mowers to a smart sprinkler system. Below are the lawn care essentials to add to your cart today to keep your grass green and your plants thriving.
1. Battery-Powered Lawn MowerToro Flex Force 21-Inch Super Recycler Mower
Photo: homedepot.Com
Selecting the right mower is one of the key steps to achieving a prize winning yard. When our team tested battery-powered mowers head-to-head, we found this self-propelled lawn mower to be perfect for those who need to mow rougher terrain. (While not a dealbreaker, it's worth noting that the self-propelling function takes a lot of power, so its battery life will last up to 50 minutes before needing a recharge.) Its powerful motor automatically adjusts to different lawn variations. Additionally, the Toro Flex Force features LED headlights and a resilient aluminum frame.
Get the Toro Flex Force 60V 21-Inch Super Recycler Mower at The Home Depot for $849.
2. Garden HoseLawn Care Products
Photo: Amazon.Com
The Zero-G garden hose is constructed with special woven fabrics that make it durable and kink-free. Our experts selected this hose as the best overall pick in our guide to the best garden hoses due to its flexibility and refusal to kink, even when the weather is cold. The hose is also highly durable with its rugged aluminum attachment fittings and brass inserts.
Get the Zero-G ⅝-inch Black Aluminum Garden Hose on Amazon for $44.98
3. Cordless String TrimmerLawn Care Products
Photo: Amazon.Com
The Greenworks Pro Cordless String Trimmer comes with a lot of high praise. Between the 3,000 Amazon reviews and its selection for the most versatile award when we tested the best cordless trimmers, this model is ready to tackle all your yard trimming needs. It offers a quiet and long-lasting brushless motor, variable speed options, a .080-inch dual-line feed head, and a 2Ah battery for up to 45 minutes of continuous use.
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Get the Greenworks Pro Cordless String Trimmer on Amazon for $313.93
4. SprinklerBest Lawn Sprinkler for Patterned Sprinkling: Dramm 9-Pattern Turret Sprinkler
Photo: amazon.Com
Without watering, your lawn won't remain lush and green, especially during those hot and dry months. The Dramm 9-Pattern Turret Sprinkler is a fan-favorite and also our best overall pick for lawn sprinklers on the market. With nine watering settings, this sprinkler can cover up to 575 square feet from one position. It also has a sturdy, metal base that users appreciate for its ability to hold up in the outdoor elements.
Get the Dramm 9-Pattern Turret Sprinkler on Amazon for $30.43
5. Sunday Lawn Care SubscriptionLawn Care products
Photo: getsunday.Com
A Sunday Lawn Care subscription will provide you with custom lawn products based on the specific needs of your lawn. Using unique data and cutting-edge science, Sunday will analyze your soil, and climate date for your region, and study satellite mapping information to deliver nontoxic fertilizers like seaweed, molasses, and iron, nutrients books, and clear step-by-step instructions to help you give your lawn the care and attention it needs. Our writer who reviewed the subscription service says it transformed her dry, patchy grass into healthy and lush lawn.
Get a Sunday Lawn Care Subscription from Sunday
6. Backpack Leaf BlowerHusqvarna 360BT 65.6cc 2-Cycle Gas 890 CFM 232 MPH Backpack Leaf Blower
Photo: amazon.Com
Clear leaves and other debris off your lawn to give it a manicured look with this backpack gas leaf blower from Husqvarna. In our guide to the best backpack leaf blowers, our team gave this blower the best overall award due to how well it breaks up clumped leaves and grass clippings. Its 180 miles per hour rating and 692 cubic feet per minute also make it one of the most powerful residential blower models. Take advantage of the ergonomic harness system, the fuel-efficient engine, and speed control technology.
Get the Husqvarna Gas Backpack Leaf Blower at Amazon for $479
7. Broadcast SpreaderLawn care products
Photo: Amazon.Com
Use the Scotts Turf Builder mini broadcast spreader to seed your lawn, spread fertilizer, salt an icy walkway, and more. The hopper can hold enough lawn products to treat up to 5,000 square feet of space, making it the optimal size for smaller yards. Its hopper and agitator allow for smooth and consistent application of fertilizer, seed, or other lawn care treatments. This spreader, a customer favorite with nearly 23,000 reviews, was also our experts' selection for the best bang for the buck when it comes to the best fertilizer spreaders.
Get the Scotts Turf Builder Mini Broadcast Spreader on Amazon for $47.97
8. EdgerLawn Care products
Photo: Amazon.Com
The WORX electric lawn edger and trencher will allow you to achieve clean lines along sidewalks, driveways, and garden beds for a neat and pristine lawn. One of the best lawn edgers, this model offers a 7.5-inch blade with three different depth adjustments between 1 inch and 1.5 inches to match the needs of your lawn. Grip the D-ring handle and adjust the height of the shaft for customized comfort as you edge the lawn. Users will appreciate the cutting line guide for straight and clean lines.
Get the WORX Electric Lawn Edger a
