Backyard Organics
Backyard Organics is a privately held, NOFA-accredited organic lawn and land care service company based in Appleton, Wisconsin, providing biology-based compost-tea applications, seasonal soil treatments, and DIY organic products to residential and light commercial customers across eight Northeast Wisconsin counties.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersAppleton, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Backyard Organics does
Backyard Organics, LLC is a privately held organic lawn and land care service company founded in 2004 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and currently operating from Appleton, Wisconsin through a partnership with Vande Hey Company. The company delivers full-service organic lawn applications built around soil-biology principles, using daily-brewed aerated compost teas (BYOtea™), custom-blended granular fertilizers (10-0-4 with soluble humates), Mycorrhizae-fungi over-seeding blends, and granulated worm-casting compost. It also sells a parallel line of do-it-yourself products (Weed-A-Tak, Mycrotabs, Natura Plant Saver repellents, compost tea supplies) through regional retail partners and the Appleton Farmers Market.
The company monetizes through individually quoted multi-year service plans (Minimal, Moderate, and High Impact tiers) covering four seasonal applications (mid-spring, summer, early fall, winter), supported by site evaluations with third-party soil analysis. Ancillary service lines include lawn aeration, top dressing, weed and pest/disease control, mosquito and tick protection, deer protection, tree and shrub fertilization, eco-friendly mowing, and urban farming design/build. A 5% upfront-payment discount and 20% bundle discount on optional add-ons serve as the primary pricing incentives. The customer base is overwhelmingly residential, supplemented by light commercial and government/nonprofit project work, all concentrated in eight Northeast Wisconsin counties.
Backyard Organics holds NOFA Organic Land Care accreditation (since 2008, the first in Wisconsin) and is intentionally small by design (1–10 employees), preferring service quality and personalized customer relationships over crew-based scaling. Its competitive position rests on proprietary biology-based formulations, NOFA's scarce certification, owner Todd Rockweit's status as one of only four NOFA-certified organic land care professionals in Wisconsin, and deep community partnerships (Fox Valley Technical College, Habitat for Humanity, Master Gardeners, regional sustainability organizations).
Backyard Organics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Backyard Organics
- Legal name
- Backyard Organics, LLC
- Website
- https://backyardorganics.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Backyard Organics is a privately held, NOFA-accredited organic lawn and land care service company based in Appleton, Wisconsin, providing biology-based compost-tea applications, seasonal soil treatments, and DIY organic products to residential and light commercial customers across eight Northeast Wisconsin counties.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Backyard Organics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Organic Lawn Care Services
- NAICS
- Landscaping Services (561730), Nursery, Garden Center, and Farm Supply Retailers (44424)
- SIC
- Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Organic & Eco-Friendly Lawn Treatments (HSAIAGAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Lawn Nutrition & Biostimulants (Compost Tea, Humic/Fulvic, Microbes) (HSAIAGAF), Soil Testing, pH Adjustment & Soil Amendments (Lime/Gypsum/Organic Matter) (HSAIAGAC), Organic/Green General Pest Control Treatments (HSAMAAAJ)
Keywords
Where Backyard Organics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Appleton
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Backyard Organics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Full-Service Organic Land Care Applications: Seasonal lawn care applications (mid-spring, summer, early fall, winter) using compost teas, granular fertilizers, and biological amendments, delivered as a full-service offering with site evaluations and customized plans.
- Do-It-Yourself Organic Products: Sale of organic land care products including compost tea, granular fertilizers, weed control products, deer repellents, and bulb treatments for customers who prefer to self-apply. Products available at local retailers and the Appleton Farmers Market.
- Site Evaluation and Consultation Services: On-site evaluations that include soil square footage measurement, compaction testing, thatch assessment, and soil sampling sent to a Nebraska lab for analysis. Leads to customized service plans.
- Urban Farming Design/Build Services: Urban garden design and build services including consulting, design, project management, and building of custom raised beds and garden wood features, with fertilization during the growing season.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Minimal Impact Plan — Low cost, slower transition to sustainable soils, turf inclusive of other species (weeds), not intended for weed management |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Moderate Impact Plan — Moderate cost, moderate weed control and transition to sustainable soils and appearance |
| Other | Multi-year contract | High Impact Plan — Higher cost, faster transition to sustainable soils, ideal for high-profile areas with direct attention to weed control options |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Backyard Organics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Backyard Organics delivers full-service seasonal organic lawn and land care applications built around daily-brewed BYOtea™ compost teas, custom 10-0-4 granular fertilizer, granulated compost, and proprietary Mycorrhizae-based over-seeding blends for residential and commercial properties in Northeast Wisconsin. The company also sells a line of DIY organic products (Weed-A-Tak herbicide alternative, Mycrotabs deer repellent, Natura Plant Saver repellents) through local retailers and farmers markets, supported by on-site soil biology evaluations, Nebraska-lab soil analysis, and tiered service plans (Minimal, Moderate, High Impact).
Product overview
Backyard Organics is an organic lawn care service company offering a unified portfolio of land care services and products. The core offering includes land care services (site evaluations, lawn applications using proprietary BYOtea™ compost teas, aeration, and over-seeding), supplemented by specialized services for trees/shrubs, pest/disease control, weed management, mosquito/tick protection, deer protection, and urban farming design. The company also provides do-it-yourself products including Weed-A-Tak herbicide alternative, Mycrotabs deer repellent, and Natura Plant Saver repellents available through retail partners. Services follow seasonal application schedules (mid-spring, summer, early fall, winter) and emphasize soil biology, sustainability, and non-toxic methods.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Land Care Services
Quantifiable outcome
- Less than 5% deer damage to tulip bulbs (70,000 bulbs treated with Natura Bulb 2-step system)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Backyard Organics
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Backyard Organics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Backyard Organics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Vande Hey CompanycoreIn February 2021, Backyard Organics partnered with the Vande Hey Company in Appleton, Wisconsin. The Vande Hey Company has been servicing landscape needs in Northeast Wisconsin since 1950. The partnership combines Backyard Organics' organic land care expertise with Vande Hey's landscape professionals (Horticulturists, Landscape Architects, Botanists) to jointly service organic land care needs in the region. They also collaborated on the Habitat for Humanity lawn establishment project.
- Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for HumanitycoreBackyard Organics donated its products and services to establish lawns for all new Habitat for Humanity homes built in the Fox Valley area (14 families in 2011). This aligns with Backyard Organics' commitment to donate 20% of sales back to the community. Vande Hey Landscaping also partnered on this venture.
- Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC)coreBackyard Organics and Fox Valley Technical College have a collaborative relationship promoting the same organic land care techniques and philosophies. FVTC's lead horticulture instructor Jim Beard serves as a key resource for Backyard Organics, and together they are two of only four individuals in Wisconsin certified in organic land care by NOFA. Backyard Organics participates in FVTC's organic land care leadership program and educational outreach.
- Festival Foods (New London)minorFestival Foods retail location in New London carries Backyard Organics' do-it-yourself organic products for lawn and garden care, making products accessible to walk-in customers in the region.
- Just Act NaturalminorJust Act Natural, a green living retail store, carries Backyard Organics products including Weed-A-Tak (a top seller described as a Roundup alternative), deer repellents, and other organic land care products. The store owner describes the products as inline with their mission.
- Natural Healthy Concepts (Menasha)minorNatural Healthy Concepts retail store in Menasha carries Backyard Organics' organic land care products for do-it-yourself consumers.
- The Red Radish (Neenah)minorThe Red Radish health food store in Neenah carries Backyard Organics' organic land care products.
- Schmalz Garden Center (Darboy)minorSchmalz Garden Center in Darboy carries Backyard Organics' organic land care products for garden and lawn care customers.
- Two Paws Up Bakery (Appleton)minorTwo Paws Up Bakery in Appleton serves as a retail point of sale for Backyard Organics' organic products, targeting pet owners who prioritize chemical-free environments for their animals.
- The Free MarketminorThe Free Market carries Backyard Organics' organic land care products as part of its natural and organic product offerings.
- Vande Hey LandscapingminorVande Hey Landscaping serves as a retail outlet for Backyard Organics products and also partnered on the Habitat for Humanity lawn establishment project.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Backyard Organics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Bio Green LLC: Organic lawn care service provider in the Midwest emphasizing biology-based programs and compost tea applications — comparable methodology and customer base, though smaller scale and more limited geographic footprint than Backyard Organics.
Direct peers
- NaturaLawn of America: National franchise network providing organic-based lawn care services including compost tea applications, soil biology programs, and natural fertilization — the closest scaled analog to Backyard Organics' full-service organic land care model.
- Pure Solutions: New England organic lawn care company providing all-natural fertilization, soil health programs, and biological treatments — comparable service model targeting residential customers seeking chemical-free lawn care, though operating in a different region.
- Organo-Lawn: Colorado-based organic lawn care service offering biological lawn applications, compost tea, and natural weed control — directly comparable methodology (soil biology focus) and service mix (residential full-service plus DIY products) to Backyard Organics.
Broad incumbents
- Jonathan Green: Established manufacturer of organic and traditional lawn care products including fertilizers, grass seed, and soil amendments sold through retail channels — comparable DIY product overlap with Backyard Organics' retail SKUs but operating as a national product brand rather than a service provider.
- SavATree: Northeast and Midwest-based tree, shrub, and lawn care company offering organic and integrated pest management programs including compost tea applications — comparable services but with a much broader geographic and service footprint than Backyard Organics.
- Espoma Organic: Major organic lawn and garden product manufacturer offering Bio-tone, Holly-tone, and organic lawn fertilizer lines — overlaps with Backyard Organics' DIY product positioning in the organic lawn care retail category.
- Safer Brand: National organic lawn and garden product brand offering OMRI-listed fertilizers, weed killers, and pest control — directly comparable to Backyard Organics' Weed-A-Tak organic herbicide alternative but distributed through mass retail rather than local service.
Others
- Vande Hey Company: Long-standing Northeast Wisconsin landscape design, installation, and maintenance company (operating since 1950) that became Backyard Organics' strategic partner in 2021 — adjacent landscape services provider rather than direct competitor, but materially relevant given the joint service delivery arrangement.
- Cornell University Cooperative Extension Organic Lawn Care: University extension programs and the NOFA Organic Land Care accreditation standards that Backyard Organics follows — adjacent as the certifying body and educational framework shaping organic land care professional practice.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Backyard Organics social profiles
Digital presenceBackyard Organics compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Backyard Organics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Backyard Organics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Backyard Organics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Backyard Organics M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Backyard Organics
What does Backyard Organics do?
Backyard Organics delivers full-service seasonal organic lawn and land care applications built around daily-brewed BYOtea™ compost teas, custom 10-0-4 granular fertilizer, granulated compost, and proprietary Mycorrhizae-based over-seeding blends for residential and commercial properties in Northeast Wisconsin. The company also sells a line of DIY organic products (Weed-A-Tak herbicide alternative, Mycrotabs deer repellent, Natura Plant Saver repellents) through local retailers and farmers markets, supported by on-site soil biology evaluations, Nebraska-lab soil analysis, and tiered service plans (Minimal, Moderate, High Impact).
Is Backyard Organics a public or private company?
Backyard Organics is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Backyard Organics founded?
Backyard Organics was founded in 2004. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Backyard Organics based?
Backyard Organics is headquartered in Appleton, United States, in the North America region.
How does Backyard Organics make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Full-Service Organic Land Care Applications are the primary driver. The others are do-It-Yourself Organic Products, site Evaluation and Consultation Services and urban Farming Design/Build Services.
Who are Backyard Organics's main competitors?
Bio Green LLC is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are NaturaLawn of America, Pure Solutions and Organo-Lawn. Broad incumbents are Jonathan Green, SavATree, Espoma Organic and Safer Brand. Others are Vande Hey Company and Cornell University Cooperative Extension Organic Lawn Care.
Does Backyard Organics have an API?
No public API is recorded for Backyard Organics.
What industry is Backyard Organics in?
Backyard Organics's product category is Organic Lawn Care Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAIAGAH, Organic & Eco-Friendly Lawn Treatments, with a secondary code of HSAIAGAF, Lawn Nutrition & Biostimulants (Compost Tea, Humic/Fulvic, Microbes). Its NAICS code is 561730 and its SIC code is 700.