For homeowners looking to cultivate a lush, green lawn without hiring a professional service, the market offers a wide array of do-it-yourself (DIY) solutions. Among the most prominent options are Sunday Lawn Care and Scotts, two brands that represent different philosophies in the DIY lawn care space.

Scotts is a household name, an established giant in traditional lawn and garden retail, offering a vast range of individual products designed for every lawn need. Their approach typically involves purchasing specific bags of fertilizer, weed killer, or grass seed from a local store as needed. Sunday Lawn Care, on the other hand, is a newer, direct-to-consumer brand that has gained popularity for its personalized, subscription-based model and focus on natural, “mystery-free” ingredients. This article will delve into a head-to-head comparison of Sunday and Scotts, examining their costs, service models, product offerings, customer experiences, and availability to help you determine which DIY method is best suited for your lawn and lifestyle.

My Take: Sunday Lawn Care Vs. Scotts

At a glance, Sunday Lawn Care and Scotts appeal to different segments of the DIY market. Sunday offers unparalleled convenience and customization through its subscription model, delivering tailored, often natural, liquid products directly to your door. This “set it and forget it” approach with guidance is ideal for those who want simplicity and a more eco-conscious option without extensive research.

Scotts, conversely, provides maximum control and widespread accessibility. You pick and choose exactly what you need from local retailers, leveraging a vast catalog of granular and liquid products that have been trusted by generations of homeowners. This is perfect for the seasoned DIYer who prefers to manage each step individually, or for those who need immediate access to specific products for acute lawn problems. While Sunday focuses on long-term soil health with natural ingredients, Scotts offers powerful, quick-acting solutions, often using conventional chemicals.

Cost: Sunday Vs. Scotts

Comparing the cost of Sunday Lawn Care versus Scotts products involves looking at two different purchasing models.

  • Sunday Lawn Care’s Cost Approach: Sunday operates on an annual subscription model where prices vary based on your lawn size, geographic location, and chosen plan (e.g., Basic, Keep & Protect, Grow & Renew). Plans can range from approximately $120 to $350 per year for an average lawn, which includes several shipments of liquid nutrients and treatments, often a soil test kit, and a hose-end sprayer. The value lies in the convenience, customization, and free shipping, effectively bundling multiple products and expert advice into a predictable annual fee. While seemingly a higher upfront cost than a single bag of fertilizer, it covers year-round care and removes guesswork.
  • Scotts’ Cost Approach: Scotts products are sold individually at various retail outlets. This means your cost is entirely dependent on what you purchase and how often. A bag of Scotts Turf Builder lawn food might cost $25-$70, while weed killers or pest control products can range from $15-$40+ per item. For a comprehensive year-round program (like their 4-Step program), you’d buy 4 separate bags, plus potentially extra products for specific issues like grubs or tough weeds. This à la carte model offers flexibility but requires the homeowner to budget for and purchase each product separately. Over a year, if you’re buying multiple products for various issues, the total cost can quickly add up and potentially exceed a Sunday subscription, especially for larger lawns.

Key takeaway on cost: Sunday offers predictable annual pricing with bundled convenience. Scotts offers flexibility to buy only what you need, but total annual costs can vary widely depending on your lawn’s needs and how many individual products you purchase.

Sunday Vs. Scotts: Plans and Services

Both brands provide solutions for common lawn problems, but their delivery and product philosophy differ significantly.

Sunday Lawn Care: Plans and Services Sunday’s core offering is its “Smart Lawn Plan,” a customized subscription service:

  • Personalized Plan: Based on an initial online quiz about your lawn’s characteristics (size, sun exposure, grass type, issues) and typically a mail-in soil test (included in the first box), Sunday creates a unique plan.
  • Liquid Nutrient Pouches: The primary products are liquid fertilizers with ingredients like seaweed, molasses, humic acid, and often natural sources of N-P-K (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), designed for hose-end sprayer application.
  • Targeted Treatments: Plans can include liquid weed control (e.g., Dandelion Doom with iron, Weed Warrior), and pest control (e.g., Mosquito Deleto, Nix Ticks) which often utilize plant-derived or naturally occurring active ingredients.
  • Grass Seed & Soil Amendments: Some plans include specialty grass seeds for bare spots or specific grass types, and additional soil boosters.
  • Seasonal Shipments: Products are shipped directly to your door at the optimal time for application throughout your growing season (e.g., 3-5 boxes per year).
  • Support: Access to online resources and “lawn advisors” for guidance.

Sunday emphasizes user-friendliness, reducing chemical use, and long-term soil health.

Scotts: Plans and Services Scotts offers a vast catalog of individual products, often organized around a multi-step seasonal approach:

  • Scotts 4-Step Program: This is Scotts’ most popular structured program, consisting of four granular products to be applied seasonally:
    • Step 1 (Early Spring): Crabgrass preventer plus lawn food.
    • Step 2 (Late Spring): Weed control (broadleaf) plus lawn food.
    • Step 3 (Summer): Lawn food with additional nutrients to withstand heat and drought.
    • Step 4 (Fall): Winterizer lawn food to strengthen roots for winter and promote spring green-up.
  • Individual Fertilizers: Numerous formulations like Scotts Turf Builder (various N-P-K ratios), Triple Action (weed, feed, and strengthen), and Green Max (iron-rich for quick greening).
  • Weed Control: A wide range of granular and liquid weed killers for specific weeds (e.g., Weed B Gon for broadleaf, Halts for crabgrass).
  • Pest Control: Solutions for grubs (GrubEx), surface insects (Turf Builder with insect control), and specific pests like fire ants.
  • Grass Seed: A comprehensive selection of grass seed mixes (e.g., Turf Builder Grass Seed, EZ Seed) for different climates and light conditions.
  • Soil Amendments: Products like gypsum, lawn soil, and topsoil.
  • Application Tools: Scotts also manufactures a full line of spreaders (broadcast and drop) and sprayers.

Scotts’ strength is its extensive product line allowing for highly targeted treatments and its conventional formulas often provide quicker, more aggressive results for common issues.

Customer Reviews: Sunday Vs. Scotts

Customer experiences for both brands tend to reflect their distinct product philosophies and distribution models.

Sunday Lawn Care Customer Reviews:

  • Positives: Users frequently praise Sunday for its ease of use, convenient delivery, and the simplicity of the hose-end application. The focus on natural/eco-friendly ingredients and safety for kids and pets is a significant draw. Many report seeing a healthier, greener lawn over time, appreciating the tailored plan that takes the guesswork out of DIY. The initial soil test is often highlighted as a valuable feature.
  • Areas for Improvement: Some users report that the included hose-end sprayer can sometimes be inconsistent or prone to minor issues. Due to the natural ingredients, results, particularly for weed control, can be slower or less potent than conventional chemicals, requiring patience or additional spot treatments. A common complaint relates to auto-renewals and billing issues if customers don’t manage their subscriptions actively.

Scotts Customer Reviews:

  • Positives: Scotts products are widely praised for their effectiveness in delivering quick and noticeable results, especially for greening up lawns and killing common weeds. Their widespread availability in retail stores makes them convenient for impulse purchases or immediate needs. Many long-time users appreciate the reliability and consistency of Scotts’ traditional formulas. The clear instructions on packaging are also generally well-regarded.
  • Areas for Improvement: Some customers find the need to purchase multiple products individually to complete a full lawn care program can be cumbersome and potentially more expensive. Concerns about the use of synthetic chemicals and their environmental impact or safety around pets/children are sometimes raised. Incorrect application of granular products can lead to “fertilizer burn” if not applied evenly or watered in properly.

Overall: Sunday appeals to those seeking a low-effort, natural approach with guided convenience. Scotts appeals to those who want immediate, strong results with traditional methods and prefer purchasing products off-the-shelf.

Availability: Sunday Vs. Scotts

The availability of these two brands is a major differentiating factor, driven by their respective business models.

  • Sunday Lawn Care Availability: Sunday primarily operates as a direct-to-consumer (DTC) subscription service. This means their customized plans and products are primarily available for purchase directly through their official website (getsunday.com). They deliver shipments directly to your home across most of the continental United States. While their core model is subscription, some individual Sunday products (like specific weed killers or pest control sprays) can also be found at select large retailers such as Walmart and Lowe’s.
  • Scotts Availability: Scotts products have an omnipresent retail presence. They are available in virtually every major home improvement store, garden center, hardware store, and many big-box retailers across the entire United States and Canada. You can find Scotts products at places like The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, Walmart, Target, and countless independent garden centers. This widespread availability means you can typically purchase Scotts products whenever and wherever you need them.

Key takeaway on availability: Sunday offers door-to-door delivery convenience, while Scotts offers immediate, on-demand availability at nearly any local retail store.

So, Is Sunday or Scotts the Best?

The “best” choice between Sunday Lawn Care and Scotts depends entirely on your preferences, priorities, and how involved you want to be in your lawn care routine.

Choose Sunday Lawn Care if:

  • You want a simple, guided, hands-off DIY experience with products shipped directly to you.
  • You prioritize natural, plant-derived, or eco-conscious ingredients for your lawn.
  • You appreciate a personalized plan based on a soil test, taking the guesswork out of what your lawn needs.
  • You’re okay with liquid applications using a hose-end sprayer.
  • You’re looking for a predictable annual cost for your lawn care essentials.
  • You have patience for results, as natural products can sometimes take longer to show effects, especially for aggressive weed control.

Choose Scotts if:

  • You prefer to purchase products individually and manage your lawn care schedule yourself, rather than a subscription.
  • You want immediate access to products at your local retail stores.
  • You need powerful, quick-acting solutions for common lawn issues, often involving conventional chemicals.
  • You’re comfortable with granular applications using a spreader, or specific liquid sprays.
  • You are a seasoned DIYer who knows exactly what products you need and how to apply them.
  • You are looking for specific types of grass seed or a wide variety of specialized products.

Ultimately, both Sunday and Scotts offer effective ways to maintain a healthy lawn. Sunday provides modern convenience and an eco-friendlier approach, while Scotts offers traditional reliability and widespread accessibility with a vast array of proven products. Your ideal choice hinges on whether you value curated simplicity with natural ingredients or expansive control with conventional options.

Our Rating Methodology

Our comprehensive methodology for evaluating DIY lawn care brands like Sunday and Scotts is built upon a framework that assesses various critical aspects from the homeowner’s perspective:

  1. Effectiveness & Results (25%):

    • Nutrient Delivery: How well do products provide essential N-P-K and micronutrients for grass health?
    • Weed & Pest Control: Efficacy in controlling common weeds and lawn pests.
    • Visible Improvement: Speed and consistency of greening, thickening, and overall lawn vitality.

  2. Product Composition & Environmental Impact (20%):

    • Ingredient Transparency: Clarity on what chemicals or natural compounds are used.
    • Eco-Friendliness: Focus on reduced synthetic chemicals, natural sources, and pet/kid-friendly formulations.
    • Soil Health: Emphasis on long-term soil improvement, not just superficial results.

  3. Ease of Use & Application (20%):

    • Clarity of Instructions: How easy are the products to understand and apply correctly?
    • Application Method: Simplicity of application (e.g., hose-end sprayer vs. spreader).
    • Guesswork Reduction: Does the service or product simplify the decision-making process for the homeowner?

  4. Customization & Personalization (15%):

    • Soil Testing: Is a soil test included or recommended for tailored product recommendations?
    • Plan Adaptability: How well do products or programs adapt to different lawn sizes, grass types, climates, and specific issues?

  5. Cost & Value (10%):

    • Pricing Structure: Transparency and predictability of costs (subscription vs. individual purchases).
    • Overall ROI: Does the product/service provide good value for the investment in terms of results and convenience?

  6. Customer Support & Resources (5%):

    • Availability of Help: Ease of contacting support for questions or issues.
    • Educational Content: Provision of guides, tips, and troubleshooting resources.

  7. Availability & Accessibility (5%):

    • Distribution Channels: Ease of purchasing products (online DTC, retail stores).
    • Geographic Reach: How widely available are the products across different regions?

By applying these criteria, we aim to provide a balanced and informative comparison, helping homeowners make the best decision for their specific lawn care journey.