Our journey to revive our backyard began with a common problem: a lawn that had gradually deteriorated, losing its vibrant green color and becoming thin and patchy. Like many homeowners, we dreamed of a lush, green space for our family, including our soon-to-arrive Doberman puppy, to enjoy. Looking back at photos from 2017, the contrast was stark – our once healthy lawn was now a shadow of its former self. Admitting my lack of “green thumb” experience, I knew it was time to take action and explore effective lawn care solutions.
Inspired by the impeccably maintained grass at a local park – so thick you couldn’t see the soil – I embarked on a mission to revitalize our yard. This led me down the rabbit hole of lawn care science, uncovering a world of season-specific fertilizing, weed and moss control, soil testing, and more. My previous approach of relying solely on sprinklers and basic mowing was clearly insufficient.
Backyard Transformation: Before and After
October 2017 (Healthy Lawn)
Present Day (Deteriorated Lawn)
My research pointed towards acidic soil as a major culprit, evidenced by bare spots, moss growth, and weed proliferation. A soil test confirmed my suspicions for the backyard, while revealing an alkaline condition in the front yard – highlighting the complexities of lawn care.
Seeking a DIY approach that wouldn’t break the bank, I considered various options for our approximately 885 sq ft backyard. It was during this search that I discovered Get Sunday, a lawn care subscription service promising ease and effectiveness. However, with the established reputation of brands like Scotts and their comprehensive Scotts My Lawn Care Program, I decided to conduct a side-by-side comparison. This review details my experience pitting time-tested Scotts products against the newcomer, Sunday, to determine the best path to a revitalized backyard.
Exploring Get Sunday Lawn Care: Convenience in a Box?
Get Sunday presents itself as a hassle-free solution for achieving a greener lawn. Their subscription model is designed for busy homeowners who want professional-looking results without the complexities of traditional lawn care. By simply entering your address on their website, Get Sunday analyzes your lawn’s size, climate, and soil composition using satellite data. This information is used to create a personalized lawn care plan, delivered in three seasonal shipments. A soil test kit is included to further refine their understanding of your lawn’s specific needs, ensuring subsequent fertilizer packs are precisely tailored.
While the concept is appealing, early customer reviews indicated initial shipment delays, a common challenge for startups. Fortunately, my experience was smoother. Ordering in mid-April, I received a tracking number as promised and the starter kit arrived on May 2nd, containing enough fertilizer for the backyard, front yard, and sidewalk strip.
Get Sunday Application and Methodology
The Get Sunday starter kit emphasizes ease of use. It includes a hose attachment, siphon straw, soil test kit, soil extraction tool, instructions, and fertilizer packs. Application is straightforward: attach the fertilizer pack to the custom spray nozzle, connect to your garden hose, and apply. This “set it and forget it” approach contrasts sharply with the more involved steps often associated with traditional lawn care programs like Scotts My Lawn Care Program.
Get Sunday claims to revitalize lawns without overseeding, focusing solely on nutrient delivery. This approach intrigued me, particularly when compared to the Scotts Turf Builder Thick’R Lawn program, which explicitly includes overseeding for thicker growth. The question remained: could a liquid fertilizer-only approach truly compete with established methods?
Established lawn care practices, often embodied by programs like Scotts My Lawn Care Program, rely on decades of research and development, combining fertilizers, weed control, and manual labor. Could a newcomer with a “chemical-free” approach and simple hose application truly deliver comparable results?
Backyard Prep: Soil Testing and Addressing Acidity
Before applying either Get Sunday or Scotts products, I recognized the importance of addressing the underlying issue of soil acidity. Using a HoldAll Soil Test meter, I confirmed the backyard’s pH was in the acidic range (5.0-5.25). While meter accuracy can be debated, the prevalence of moss and weeds corroborated the results.
Scotts Turf Builder Thick’R Lawn and Traditional Lawn Repair
To evaluate the effectiveness of Get Sunday, I decided to divide the backyard into two sections. Two-thirds of the yard would be treated using a traditional approach, centered around Scotts Turf Builder Thick’R Lawn, while the remaining third would be dedicated to Get Sunday.
The traditional method involved manual dethatching and aeration using an Ames adjustable thatch rake. The amount of moss removed was staggering – three 13-gallon trash bags full! This intensive labor, performed over two days (April 21-22, 2019), highlighted the effort often required in comprehensive lawn repair, a stark contrast to Get Sunday’s promise of simplicity.
Following dethatching, I used a Scotts Turf Builder 23-lb Broadcast Spreader to apply Scotts Builder Thick’R Lawn Tall Fescue Mix at dial setting #9. This product combines seed, fertilizer, and soil improver, representing a multi-faceted approach to lawn revitalization, characteristic of the Scotts My Lawn Care Program philosophy.
Despite the bag claiming 1,200 sq ft coverage, it felt insufficient for the ⅔ section. To ensure adequate overseeding, I added half of another 12 lb bag of Thick’r Lawn.
For the Get Sunday section, I opted for a less labor-intensive approach, skipping dethatching but applying MOSS OUT! For Lawns Granules by Lilly Miller Brands using a Scotts Turf Builder Broadcaster spreader at dial #6.
The moss killer acted quickly, with moss turning black within 24 hours. After 7 days, dead moss was raked from the Get Sunday section.
Both Get Sunday and Scotts offer money-back guarantees, reflecting confidence in their respective approaches. While I had reservations about Get Sunday’s ability to achieve significant thickness without dethatching, I was hopeful for noticeable improvement in greenness and fullness with minimal effort, as promised.
Lime Application and Watering Regimen
To further optimize soil conditions for both treatments, I applied approximately 15 lbs of Encap Fast Acting Lime across the entire backyard a week after moss removal. This aimed to raise the pH to the ideal 6-7 range for grass growth and to inhibit moss and weed proliferation.
Following Scotts Thick’R Lawn instructions, I set sprinklers to water twice daily for two weeks to maintain moist soil, crucial for seed germination. This watering schedule was applied equally to both the Scotts and Get Sunday sections. After two weeks, watering was reduced to deep watering twice a week to encourage deep root growth.
Scotts Turf Builder Thick’R Lawn: Day-by-Day Progress
Scotts Thick’R Lawn showed germination in just six days, with ambient temperatures averaging 62°F. By day 10, seedlings were emerging throughout the Scotts-treated area, competing with existing clover and residual moss. Warmer weather might have accelerated germination, but the results were already encouraging. By week four, after allowing seedlings to establish, I applied MOSS OUT! again to address remaining moss, raked it out, and overseeded with leftover Thick’r Lawn.
Maintaining consistently moist soil was key to successful germination – requiring twice-daily watering for the initial two weeks. This highlights a critical step often overlooked in DIY lawn care, and emphasized within the Scotts My Lawn Care Program guidance.
After germination, I applied Scotts Weed & Feed to control weeds while continuing to nourish the lawn, aligning with common practices within the Scotts My Lawn Care Program. The backyard was kept off-limits to pets and children for five weeks post-application.
The results with Scotts Thick’r Lawn were undeniable. Within 11 days, the treated section was visibly greener and thicker, validating Scotts’ claims.
Get Sunday Day-by-Day Progress and Comparison
My Get Sunday starter kit arrived on May 2nd. Application to the designated section occurred on May 4th, with progress documented thereafter. The Get Sunday section received identical watering and lime treatments as the Scotts section. Moss control was addressed with MOSS OUT!, and the section was overseeded with pure tall fescue mix (without added fertilizer) for a fairer comparison against the fertilizer-inclusive Scotts Thick’r Lawn. Get Sunday’s nutrient packs – Iron Booster and Green Machine – were applied on May 4th and May 11th, respectively.
Get Sunday emphasizes a “healthy lawn as nature’s best weed killer” philosophy, using natural ingredients and avoiding harsh chemicals. While Scotts offers solutions like Weed & Feed, Get Sunday focuses on promoting lawn health to naturally suppress weeds.
Despite careful application of Scotts Weed & Feed, accidental over-application led to some burned patches, quickly remedied with Scotts EZ Seed.
Following Weed & Feed, Scotts GrubEx was applied in late May for grub control, a preventative measure consistent with comprehensive lawn care approaches like Scotts My Lawn Care Program.
Get Sunday vs. Scotts: A One-Month Lawn Transformation Comparison
Does Get Sunday Lawn Care Live Up to the Hype?
Get Sunday does deliver on its promise of greener and fuller grass, and its liquid application method seems to yield faster results compared to traditional granular fertilizers in the Scotts My Lawn Care Program. Its focus on natural ingredients like seaweed extract and molasses appeals to those seeking less toxic lawn care options.
However, Get Sunday is primarily a fertilizer. It doesn’t directly address moss, weeds, or pests, requiring additional products for comprehensive lawn care, unlike the integrated solutions within the Scotts My Lawn Care Program. While Get Sunday has announced a natural weed killer add-on, it wasn’t available at the time of this review.
A minor drawback was the included hose nozzle, which leaked even in the “OFF” position, leading to fertilizer wastage and a lawn burn spot.
For grub control, Get Sunday suggests beneficial nematodes as a natural alternative, a direction we plan to explore in the future, particularly with our tortoises grazing in the backyard.
Get Sunday operates on a subscription model, delivering three seasonal packages annually. At $169 per year (or $56 per shipment) for lawns up to 7,500 sq ft, the question remains: is it worth the cost compared to established programs like Scotts My Lawn Care Program?
Get Sunday vs. Scotts Lawn Care Program: Cost and Coverage
Get Sunday costs $169 for up to 7,500 sq ft coverage. The Scotts Lawn Care Program varies in price: approximately $99 for small yards (up to 5,000 sq ft) and $245 for large yards (up to 15,000 sq ft) as of 2019, with regional variations and product availability.
Final Verdict: Choosing the Right Lawn Care Approach
For established lawns needing maintenance and minor improvements, Get Sunday offers a convenient and effective solution. Its ease of use and natural approach are significant advantages. In our test, Get Sunday quickly caught up to the Scotts-treated section, resulting in a seamlessly improved backyard. Get Sunday excels as a lawn care maintenance product.
However, achieving a truly luxurious lawn, especially from a severely deteriorated state like ours, requires more than just fertilizing. Addressing underlying issues like moss, soil pH, and pests is crucial. The Scotts My Lawn Care Program, with its comprehensive product range and integrated approach, provides solutions for these challenges.
For heavily damaged lawns, the intensive prep work – dethatching, soil amendment, pest and weed control – is essential regardless of the chosen fertilizer program. Neither Get Sunday nor Scotts My Lawn Care Program is a magic bullet for neglected lawns.
Ultimately, a successful lawn transformation requires commitment and addressing the specific needs of your yard. Get Sunday simplifies fertilization, while Scotts My Lawn Care Program offers a broader toolkit for comprehensive lawn management.
DIY Lawn Repair Cost Breakdown
- Scotts GrubEx
- Scotts Weed & Feed
- Scotts MossEx
- Scotts Turf Builder THICK’R LAWN Grass Seed, 40 lbs.
- Scotts EZ Seed Patch and Repair Tall Fescue Lawns
- Thatch Rake
- Adjustable Leaf Rake
- Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard Mini Broadcast Spreader
- Soil Moisture Meter
- Sunday Lawn Kickstart + Green Machine Liquid Fertilizer
Total DIY Investment: $217 (at time of writing)
Total DIY Investment including Sunday Subscription: $366 (at time of writing)
DIY lawn repair saved approximately $800 compared to a professional landscaping quote of $1,009.59, proving that with effort and the right products, a beautiful lawn is achievable at home.
Backyard Lawn Achieved: Lush and Green
June 3, 2019 – After Mowing
Scotts GrubEx Performance
GrubEx effectively preventing grub damage
The Front Yard Challenge
Having successfully revitalized the backyard using a combination of DIY methods and comparing Get Sunday to the principles of Scotts My Lawn Care Program, the front yard presents a new challenge – highly alkaline soil and compacted conditions. The journey to transform the front yard into a lawn to be proud of will be documented separately.
Front Yard Revitalization Update
Continue reading “The Journey to Restore Our Front Yard.”
