Before you open up your wallet and close off your weekend for another DIY yard project, think about what you could be doing instead if you hired a lawncare professional.

You could…Fertilize your grass yourself
Time spent: a full afternoon every five weeks (spring through fall)
Money spent: $50 for a bag of fertilizer covering 5,000 sq feet.
$40 for a manual spreader, or up to $300 for a pull spreader.

But you should…Rent a bounce house for the afternoon at $30/hour. Let the kids tire themselves out and then take your turn (because we could all use some jump around time).

 

You could...Reseed grass on your own
Time spent: four hours removing dead grass with a cutter, plus a full day seeding.
Money spent: For a full reseed, as much as $500. For an overseed with aeration, about half that.

But you should...Admire a beautiful lawn at a baseball stadium, where the average cost for a family of four to attend a game ($212) is still less than an overseed. Heck, for that price, make it a double header! 

You could...Spray your own pesticide 
Time spent: A lovely morning inspecting your home for cracks and crannies where bugs live.
Money spent: $20-$100 for insecticide and up to $200 for a heavy-duty sprayer.
Also: BUGS!

But you should…Take that money and host a backyard barbecue this summer. Enjoy the peace of mind knowing all that food won’t be attracting any creepy crawlers.

You could...Pull your own weeds 
Time spent: A few hours in the spring, with no guarantee they won’t come back.
Money spent: The labor is free, but a bag of mulch can run you $85.

But you should...Buy a double hammock for $85, curl up with a good book and a tasty beverage, smile as you remember you’re not pulling weeds.

Sign up for a customized TruGreen natural lawn care plan to save time and money so you can do more of what you love. Visit TruGreen.com and remember to #LiveLifeOutside