Ditch TruGreen: A DIY Homeowner’s Guide to Year-Round Lawn Care That Saves You Thousands

Table of Contents

Introduction

If you’re a proud homeowner, chances are you’ve considered hiring a lawn care company like TruGreen to manage your yard. It sounds convenient—fertilization, weed control, pest treatments, all handled by “professionals.” But convenience comes at a steep price.

In reality, you can achieve even better results by treating your own lawn, on your own schedule, and with products tailored to your specific yard. Best of all, you’ll save hundreds—if not thousands—of dollars per year.

Why DIY lawn care outperforms paid services
What it really costs to go it alone
How to care for your lawn season-by-season
The best Amazon products to use instead of TruGreen’s generic sprays

Why DIY Lawn Care Beats TruGreen (And Saves You Money)

Typical TruGreen Package:

Annual Plan Cost: $400–$1,200+
Includes: Fertilization, weed control, grub prevention, and sometimes aeration
Visit Frequency: 6–12 visits per year

The Catch:

Cookie-cutter treatments, regardless of your lawn’s condition
Extra charges for fungus/grub control
Locked-in contracts and upsells

DIY Benefits:

Customized lawn care specific to your needs
Higher-quality products
Significant long-term savings
Hands-on satisfaction

DIY vs. TruGreen: A Cost Comparison

Service	TruGreen Cost (Annual Avg)	DIY Cost (Annual Avg)
Fertilizer	Included	$100–$150
Weed Control	Included	$50–$100
Grub Control	$75–$150 Extra	$25–$40
Aeration	$125–$250	$40–$75 (tool rental)
Overseeding	Not always offered	$40–$60
Total	$700–$1,300+	$250–$400

Your DIY Lawn Care Game Plan (Season by Season)

🌱 Spring (March–May): Wake Up Your Lawn

Aerate to relieve compacted soil
Apply pre-emergent herbicide
Fertilize with high nitrogen
Begin weekly mowing

Recommended Product:
✅ Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed – Tackles dandelions and thickens turf.

☀️ Summer (June–August): Feed and Defend

Water deeply (1″ per week)
Spot treat weeds
Apply grub control
Raise mowing height

Recommended Product:
✅ BioAdvanced Complete Brand Insect Killer for Lawns – Fast-acting and long-lasting grub control.

🍂 Fall (September–November): Strengthen Roots

Apply potassium-rich fertilizer
Overseed thin or bare areas
Apply post-emergent weed killer
Optional: Aerate again

Recommended Product:
✅ Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Lawn Food – Strengthens roots and boosts spring green-up.

❄️ Winter (December–February): Prep and Plan

Clean mower and sharpen blades
Test soil and plan for spring

Recommended Product:
✅ Luster Leaf Rapid Soil Test Kit – Gives accurate pH and nutrient readings for your soil.

Essential DIY Lawn Tools (You Don’t Need Much)

Broadcast/Drop Spreader: Scotts EdgeGuard Spreader
Hose-End Sprayer for liquid applications
Sharp Mower Blades to prevent grass tearing
Rake or Dethatcher for better airflow to roots

The Secret to a Healthy Lawn: Timing, Not Just Products

Many people think lawn care is all about throwing down fertilizer. But it’s really about consistency and seasonal timing.

Apply the right product at the right time
Mow consistently—not too short
Spot treat weeds and insects as needed

💡 Pro Tip: Use a free app like My Lawn by Scotts or keep a written journal to track treatments and results.

What About Weeds, Fungus, and Pests?

Instead of spraying your entire lawn like TruGreen does, treat only what you need:

Weeds: Use Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer
Fungus: Apply a fungicide like BioAdvanced Fungus Control
Pests: Spot-treat areas with activity

Conclusion: Own Your Lawn, Keep Your Cash

With a bit of planning and a few affordable tools, you can:

Save hundreds per year
Enjoy a thicker, greener lawn
Customize treatments based on your actual lawn conditions
Eliminate unnecessary chemicals and upsells

Start your DIY lawn journey today and leave TruGreen behind for good.

📌 Seasonal Lawn Care Summary

Season	Key Tasks
Spring	Aerate, Fertilize, Pre-emergent, Mow
Summer	Water, Grub Control, Spot-weed, Raise mowing height
Fall	Fertilize, Overseed, Weed Control
Winter	Soil test, Sharpen tools, Plan next season