Earthcare's 100% Natural Lawn Care Program: Yes, you CAN grow a lawn without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Natural lawn care begins with healthy soil.  We help our clients grow beautiful turf by creating soil that is biologically active with a balance of mineral nutrients. We commit to: Using all-natural products that are safer for you, your pets, and your family Listening to your needs and providing customized lawn care services Staying on the leading edge of the natural lawn care industry with the highest attention to quality and results.	Earthcare builds healthy turf from the ground up.             "Thank You!! Our lawn looks so much better! - Sally and David, Whitefish Bay, WI
You commit to ongoing maintenance that will enable your turf to thrive for years to come.  Natural lawn care is a partnership.  Our products and services and your ongoing care are both vital to the long-term health of your turf. It is important to know that natural lawn care is not a quick fix. It is a process that takes some patience and trust in mother nature. The reward is a lush, green lawn that is safe for you, your pets, and your family. Please take a few moments to read more about our services and why they work.
The goal of natural lawn care is a truly fertile soil in which your turf thrives and out-competes the weeds. All of our services are aimed at building up the microbial life of the soil. If you spread a bag of organic fertilizer on your lawn, it is the tiny microbes in the soil which turn those fertilizer granules into plant food. The microbes are the heroes! Soil microbes also have a host of other benefits: • Loosen up clay soils • Improve water holding and reduce run-off • Break down thatch • Prevent disease • Create a soil that is ultimately self-fertilizing! Steps to a Healthy Lawn Step 1: Lawn consultation and soil test. We begin with a 60 minute lawn care consultation that includes a detailed lab soil test. We’ll measure turf area, assess turf density and soil compaction, identify weeds and disease problems and look for larger environmental conditions like sun/shade and drainage that affects the quality of your turf. We’ll also discuss your specific family or pet needs, and cover effective turf maintenance. In approximately two weeks, we’ll send you a detailed soil lab report that assesses the health of your soil and turf. With this starting point, we can customize a lawn program that specifically meets your soil profile . The initial consultation, including soil test and report, is $75.  Half of this fee is credited toward Earthcare's Natural Lawn Care Program if you sign up for our services.  However, your initial consultation does not commit you to using our services.  You can also use the information to design a do-it-yourself program. Please contact us at 414-333-4281 to set up an appointment. Step 2: Earthcare’s 100% Natural Lawn Care Program Earthcare’s Natural Lawn Care Program includes these basic components: • Corn Gluten for early season fertilizing and weed control. • Compost tea soil amendments. See below for more information on creating self-sustaining soils.  • Aeration to loosen up soil structure and improve root density. • Overseeding to create more dense turf and out-compete weeds. • Mineral amendments as determined by the soil test.     Step 3: Maintenance To maintain good turf, follow these guidelines: • Mowing: Cut no shorter than 3 inches and cut no more than 1/3 of the grass blade at at time.  Leave the grass clippings on the lawn!  They return nitrogen and organic matter to the soil.  Don't throw away one of your best fertilizers! • Watering:  water infrequently and deeply.  Your lawn needs about an inch of water a week.  That's enough water to fill a tuna can placed on your lawn.  There's no need to water every day!  Overwatering leads to fungal diseases. How much does Earthcare's program cost? Our organic program is more expensive up front than a chemically-based lawn care program. However, as the soil biology improves, the soil will begin to cycle nutrients naturally and less inputs will be needed. Expect to pay more up front for our services and then reduce costs in future years.	Earthcare sprays compost tea instead of conventional lawn chemicals.     Earthcare provides natural lawn care for several public spaces.  Enjoy these areas knowing that they are free of lawn chemicals: Shorewood Public Library green space Menlo Blvd. Shorewood (Maryland Ave. to Downer Ave.) Big Bay Park, Whitefish Bay Schoolhouse Park, Whitefish Bay Medians of Santa Monica Boulevard, Whitefish Bay Menomonee Valley soccer fields, Milwaukee Alterra at the Lake, Milwaukee Alterra Coffee Roasters on Humboldt Blvd., Milwaukee
More info on soil biology and compost teas: In healthy soils, tiny microscopic organisms convert nutrients into forms that plants can absorb quickly.  Bacteria, funghi, protozoa and nematodes are the agents of true soil fertility.  With a healthy community of these organisms, soils recycle nutrients efficiently and become self-sustaining.  After all, no one ever needed to fertilize the great prairies of the Midwest or healthy forest soils!  It has happened naturally for ages. Soil micro-organisms need food, water, and air.  If any of these are lacking, they will go dormant or disappear.  Many of our urban soils have been stressed by foot and vehicle traffic, and most of all, chemical pesticides and fertilizers that damage soil biology. How can you restore this biology? First- do no harm.  Stop using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Second- create conditions that these microscopic critters love.  Aerate your lawn.  Mow high to shade the soil surface and limit water loss.  The taller grass will also photosynthesize more rapidly and feed these organisms! Thirdly- apply proper soil products and soil conditioners.Earthcare applies compost, compost tea (a liquid form of compost) and a variety of mineral amendments and botanicals to encourage healthy soil and enable the soil biology to thrive.  Our specialty is compost tea.  We test our tea regularly through Soil Food Web, Inc. which has pioneered the use of compost teas around the world. More info at www.soilfoodweb.com. We spray compost tea at the highest recommended levels to ensure that you are receiving the best quality application in each visit. Our products, along with the other management practices of aeration, overseeding, proper mowing and watering, will create a self-sustaining environment that your turf will love. You'll see the results.Contact us to schedule your natural lawn care consultation: info@earthcarelawns.com or 414-333-4281.
One of Earthcare's organic lawns.  Notice the long mowing height that promotes healthy turf.	Close-up of a lawn three years into an organic program.  This area receives high foot traffic between the sidewalk and street.