Jill Holt Wins EMBEs 2024 Business Achievement Award

Jill Holt wins the 2024 EMBEs Business Achievement Award

Jill Holt Wins EMBEs 2024 Business Achievement Award

Jill Holt wins the 2024 EMBEs Business Achievement Award

Chief Operating Officer

Jill Holt

About the EMBE Awards

We are proud to announce that Weller Brothers Chief Operating Officer, Jill Holt, has been awarded the Business Achievement Award at the 2024 EMBEs Tribute to Women in Sioux Falls.

For more than 50 years, the annual EMBEs has honored individuals who exemplify EmBe’s mission and have made outstanding contributions to the Sioux Falls community. This is such an inspiring event that celebrates the leadership and success of women in Sioux Falls. 

This impressive recognition highlights Jill’s exceptional leadership, innovation, and success throughout her entire career and during her time at Weller Brothers.

Weller Brothers team at the 2024 EMBE awards

Celebrating Jill's Contributions to Weller Brothers

Jill began at Weller Brothers as Controller and then became CFO. Her primary focus was in finance, but her fingerprints are on almost all workflow processes, from admin to operations. The infrastructure she built as CFO provided Weller Brothers data to make better decisions and ultimately grow revenue nearly 10x since she started in 2017.

Beyond her financial expertise, Jill is a true champion of company culture. She fosters a supportive and inclusive environment, encouraging open communication and collaboration among team members. Her genuine care for the well-being of her colleagues is evident in her willingness to go the extra mile, whether it’s offering advice or simply lending an ear.

Jill’s commitment to empowering women in a male-dominated industry is equally inspiring. She has actively worked to create opportunities for female leaders within Weller Brothers, establishing the “Women of Weller” group to foster connections, support, and professional development. Her efforts have contributed to a significant increase in the number of women in leadership roles at the company.

Jill’s achievements are a testament to her exceptional leadership, innovation, and dedication. We are honored to have her on our team and congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition.

Landscape Enhancement: Low-Maintenance Shrub Restoration

newly planted boxwoods in a rockbed

Landscape Enhancement: Low-Maintenance Shrub Restoration

Ben Wolter, Weller Brothers Landscape Professionals

Enhancement by

Ben Wolter

We all know how easily our plants and shrubs can become overgrown. 

In this case, our clients hoped to clean up the landscape beds around their home, with the secondary goal of uncovering an attractive outcropping boulder that was obscured by overgrown boxwoods. Their third priority was to retain and reshape a pom pom juniper that had grown out of control.

pom pom juniper in need of pruning and shaping a perfectly shaped pom pom juniper in minnesota
pom pom juniper in need of pruning and shaping

A Strategic Approach

Rochester, MN, account manager Ben Wolter assessed the situation and explained the limitations of pruning the boxwoods. Due to the size and age of the existing shrubs, they would require regular pruning to keep the boulder exposed.

Since the homeowners hoped for a lower-maintenance solution, Ben recommended removing the large boxwoods and replacing them with smaller ones. 

He also assured our client that our team could restore the pom pom juniper to its original shape.

overgrown boxwoods in a rock bed newly planted boxwoods in a rockbed
overgrown boxwoods in a rock bed

A Quick Turnaround and A Happy Homeowner

Weller Brothers completed this landscape enhancement project quickly — about one week between the initial meeting and project completion. 

Typically, a crew of several Weller Brothers teammates work together on a landscape enhancement. Due to the smaller scale of this project, Ben took it on himself. He enjoyed the chance to work closely with our client with a personalized approach. 

While this was a “smaller” project, the result is significant!Let us know how Weller Brothers can help your landscaping in Des Moines, Sioux Falls, and Rochester.

Landscape Enhancement: Old Landscaping Gets a New Lease On Life

front of a midwest home with updated landscaping

Landscape Enhancement: Old Landscaping Gets a New Lease On Life

Ryan Benda, Account Manager at Weller Brothers Landscape Professionals

Enhancement by

Ryan Benda

When a longtime homeowner contacted Weller Brothers account manager Ryan Benda in the fall of 2022, he knew he had a fun challenge ahead of him.

The home’s landscape was overgrown with mature plants, and the homeowner was struggling to keep up with the maintenance.

Before and After

front of a home with outdated general landscaping front of a midwest home with updated landscaping
front of a home with outdated general landscaping
home with a rock bed and outdated landscaping a Sioux Falls home with refreshed rock beds, edging, and plants
home with a rock bed and outdated landscaping

A Fresh Start

Our team’s first step was to clear the overgrown vegetation and create a clean slate. With the landscape beds cleared, Ryan worked with the homeowner to understand her vision for the space. Together, they designed a colorful, yet low-maintenance landscape that would complement the existing hardscape features like the retaining wall, steps, and walkways.

“I built the plan around existing features, accentuating them with specific plants and designs,” Ryan says. “We also included a drip-line irrigation system for easy watering.”

Blending Native and Urban

Like plant variety? Ryan’s got you covered with this design.

To achieve a low-maintenance and visually appealing landscape, he incorporated a mix of native grasses like Prairie Dropseed, Little Bluestem, Festuca, and Karl Foerster, along with hardy evergreen plants such as Mugo Pine, Arborvitae shrubs, and upright Junipers. For pops of color, he added Barberry’s and Coneflowers.

“With the perfect existing spot for a raised mulch bed, I added more native perennials for season-long blooming color by using Bee Balm, Stachys, Sedum, Yarrow, Gaillardia, and a brilliant Northern clump Redbud”, Ryan adds.

To accent the main walkway, we planted Amur Flame Maple clump trees that add a vibrant red hue in the fall.

a sad rock bed updated rock bed and softscapes
a sad rock bed

A Client's Delight

The homeowner was thrilled with the transformation, and we’re so glad!

When Ryan showed her the before-and-after pictures, she couldn’t believe the difference. Our team transformed the overgrown, neglected landscape into a vibrant, inviting outdoor space that was easy to maintain.

How can we bring your home’s landscaping back to life? We’re here to help in Des Moines, Sioux Falls, and Rochester.

Sioux Falls Residential Landscape Wins National Gold Award

NALP Gold Award - landscape design in Sioux Falls, SD
NALP Gold Award - landscape design in Sioux Falls, SD

Sioux Falls Landscape Team Wins National Award

We are proud to announce we have been awarded an Award of Excellence – Gold by the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

“It’s an honor to receive the Gold Award from NALP,” says Cole Weller, Weller Brothers CEO and President. “This project exemplifies our purpose in action – creating outdoor spaces for life’s best moments.  

Chad Kasten, Senior Landscape Designer, did an excellent job meeting the clients’ needs and giving them a beautiful backyard to make memories with family and friends.  

Our operations team, including Landscape Operations Manager Tyler Nelson and Foreman Nolan Meier, executed the job wonderfully. They are just a few of the many team members it takes to bring a project like this to life. It’s a proud moment for the whole Weller Brothers team!

Before and After

This once-empty, sloped area was transformed into a multi-level oasis featuring large natural stone retaining walls, a custom-lit pool, artificial turf areas, an outdoor kitchen, extensive softscapes, and more.

Our team completed the project in two phases over two years.

residential backyard before landscaping a sioux falls residential backyard with multi-level retaining walls, a pool, patio, and more
residential backyard before landscaping
"We had a moment, right before the Fourth of July, when we were relaxing and all five kids were in the pool playing and throwing each other around. And it was really kind of an emotional moment; we knew it was worth it. This is it. This is why we did it."
– Homeowner
front yard of a sioux falls home before landscaping an award-winning front-yard landscape design in sioux falls
front yard of a sioux falls home before landscaping

About the NALP Excellence Awards

Each year, the National Association Landscape Professionals Awards of Excellence recognizes exceptional commercial and residential lawn care and landscape installation, maintenance, and design projects from around the nation.

This year, 246 awards were bestowed to companies for their outstanding work.

This is the second time Weller Brothers has won a national Award of Excellence; the Rochester, MN, team won a Bronze award in 2023.

Take a Tour of the Winning Project in Sioux Falls, SD

While you may not be able to relax in this backyard yourself, you can certainly take a virtual tour of this award-winning backyard in Sioux Falls!

Then, once you’re feeling inspired, reach out to us to begin creating your outdoor living space in Rochester, Sioux Falls, or Des Moines. Who knows – maybe it will win our next award!

A Neglected Space Reimagined

outdoor kitchen will grill and pizza oven in rochester, mn

A Neglected Space Reimagined

Michael Blazing, Weller Brothers Landscaping

Design by

Michael Blazing

In Rochester, MN, we are raising the bar for outdoor living, and that includes helping homeowners utilize their backyard to its fullest potential throughout the year.

This home is a perfect example.

In this landscape tour, we transform an underutilized backyard into a revitalized living area to gather outdoors throughout the seasons. The existing backyard included a concrete patio, an old wooden privacy fence, and a non-functional hot tub which created a lackluster outdoor living space. 

Our Rochester clients saw potential in the backyard and approached our Weller Brothers team to reimagine the space and bring it to life. 

aerial view of a backyard patio, kitchen, and fireplace in rochester, mn

Designing a Central Hub

Our first step was to identify and create a focal point, and we did so by centering the outdoor living space around the windows of the house. This connected the indoor and outdoor areas and provided a seamless flow. 

Framing the space on one side is a large fireplace, featuring a large central hearth. Two accent gas fire pits add another unique element to the space.

detail shot of gas firepit

Across the patio from the fireplace is an outdoor kitchen, positioned closer to the home’s door for easy access.

The outdoor kitchen was a standout feature, custom-designed to meet our clients’ specific entertaining needs. This has all the features you could possibly need in an outdoor kitchen, including:

  • Beautiful stone masonry
  • Grill
  • Ample storage
  • Pizza oven
  • Pergola for shade
  • Task lighting for nighttime use
outdoor kitchen will grill and pizza oven in rochester, mn

Selecting High-Quality Materials

Quality is one of our Roots, and this extends to every product and material we use in our projects.

  • The patio: we formed the foundation of the patio using Techo pavers, featuring Blu60 slate pavers. The pavers complemented the natural stone elements in the kitchen and fireplace, creating a harmonious color palette.  We also used Techo Valet pavers as an accent in the paver pattern, to provide a cobble-like paver to tie in the style of the masonry stone.  
  • The fireplace: we selected Warming Trends stainless steel burners, which put out large flames and a lot of heat. 
  • The kitchen: you’ll find Summerset stainless steel accessories, including the Summerset 36” grill. When it’s time for a slice, the Alfa Moderno 2 gas pizza oven is speedy and easy to use.
  • The pergola: we selected a natural rough-sawn cedar pergola, as the raw material blends well with the style of stone used for the kitchen area. 
detail shot of custom masonry by Weller Brothers Landscape Professionals
new patio with Techo Blu60 and Valet slate pavers

Overcoming Challenges

No transformation comes without its challenges, and our experienced team is well-equipped to problem-solve for nearly anything during a landscaping renovation. With this project, we found solutions for the following scenarios:

  • To accommodate the gas-powered features of the outdoor kitchen, fireplace, and pizza oven, we coordinated with the plumber and gas company to increase the gas meter size.
  • We had to adjust a couple of vents on the side of the house to accommodate the steps leading from the rear door. A custom-built steel vent integrated into the steps provided a solution
remodeled backyard with pergola, patio, firepit

Client Satisfaction – Now It’s Your Turn!

We are honored that our clients trusted us with their backyard transformation, especially because they were away for much of the time as we installed the design.

We communicated regularly by sending them progress photos, and their excitement grew with each update. 

Upon returning to home for the summer months in Rochester, they were overwhelmed by the quality and thoroughness of our work and were excited to use their new outdoor living space.

Do you wish your backyard was more functional? Does it need a remodel like this one did? Whether you hope for a pizza oven and cozy fireplace like these homeowners, or you envision a peaceful garden oasis, we have the expertise to design and build a space you’ll love.

Designed

the Weller Brothers Way.

Modern Elegance With a Prehistoric Flair

backyard patio and pergola with outdoor dining

Modern Elegance With a Prehistoric Flair

Ron Peterson, Weller Brothers Landscaping

Design by

Ron Peterson

A few months after settling into their new home, these Sioux Falls homeowners wanted even more living space, and they contacted Weller Brothers to extend that into the outdoors.

The existing lawn was healthy, but it was wide open and lacked defined areas for relaxation and entertaining. The homeowners envisioned a patio area with shade, a relaxing water feature, and high-quality outdoor seating.

wideview of a backyard with a patio, pergola, and plant beds

A Modern Design With a Prehistoric Feature

How many people can say they have a 1.6 billion-year-old item in their yard?

Well, we know of someone!

Our clients had the fun idea to include a Sioux Quartzite water feature in their backyard – a nod to the area’s unique metamorphic rock.

However, they didn’t want the entire outdoor space to look prehistoric, and landscape designer Ron Peterson thoughtfully selected the complementary patio pavers and surrounding pant material. 

To achieve a clean and modern look for the patio, he chose light gray pavers, surrounded by low-maintenance plants.

“Our client has an artistic personal style, so we selected ornamental evergreens with a fun and whimsical flair,” explains Ron.

Sioux Quartzite water feature in a Sioux Falls backyard

Adding Elegant Details

We called upon our friends at Zobel Carpentry to assist with the large pergola that looms over the patio, providing shade and defining the space.

For a few final touches of elegance, the homeowner selected an outdoor chandelier to hang above the patio dining area – shoutout to Albers Electric for the outdoor power! Finally, Weller Brothers furniture design consultant Kari collaborated with the homeowners to select stylish and durable outdoor furniture to tie the entire space together. 

We love this backyard that has transformed from a blank space to a party space, complete with a unique conversation piece!

outdoor chandelier over dining area
quality outdoor furniture by Weller Brothers Landscape Professionals

Designed

the Weller Brothers Way.

Historic Charm Meets New Outdoor Kitchen

outdoor kitchen structure designed by Weller Brothers Landscape Professionals

Historic Charm Meets New Outdoor Kitchen

Ron Peterson, Weller Brothers Landscaping

Design by

Ron Peterson

When our clients approached us about redesigning their small backyard space, they were looking to create a more functional and inviting outdoor living area adjacent to their existing pool. Their hot tub was underutilized, and they wanted to incorporate a new outdoor kitchen, bar area, and seating for entertaining.

Blending Old and New

Given the historic nature of their neighborhood, landscape designer Ron Peterson designed a structure that complemented the existing architecture of their home. He worked with Hebron Brick to select a recycled street brick, matching the exact same brick used on the house. The roofline and framing were also designed to mimic the style of the home, allowing for a seamless integration.

Despite the limited space, we included essential outdoor kitchen features like a refrigerator, sink, and a large built-in grill. A raised bartop provided additional seating and counter space.

A Team Effort

This Sioux Falls outdoor kitchen was a collaborative effort involving several local subcontractors. 

First and foremost was Zobel Carpentry who built the structure, while our team handled the masonry and outdoor kitchen. T + T Granite and Quartz installed the countertops, and Nichols Painting contributed the final exterior touches.

Ron says that having this many “cooks in the kitchen” (pun intended) presented some logistical challenges while working in this small space.

“We coordinated schedules and communicated timelines amongst each other,” Ron explains. “In total, five subcontractors had a hand in this outdoor project.

the interior of an outdoor kitchen with custom masonry
outdoor kitchen structure designed by Weller Brothers Landscape Professionals

Working Through the Winter; Ready for Spring!

Many people don’t realize that we can install landscaping projects during the winter. That’s especially true of custom masonry projects, which is what we did for this project.

By tarping over a workspace and heating the inside of it, our team at Weller Brothers Landscape Professionals comfortably crafted the masonry and kitchen elements within the structure.

This was especially beneficial for the homeowners; in fact, they were enjoying southern sunshine throughout the entire construction process.

When they came back to South Dakota for the summer months, their new outdoor kitchen was ready for them to enjoy!

light fixture in an outdoor kitchen
interior shot of an outdoor kitchen structure

Designed

the Weller Brothers Way.

Landscape Enhancement: Employee Patio at Sioux Falls Costco

Sioux Falls Costco employee patio

Landscape Enhancement: Employee Patio at Sioux Falls Costco

Allie Rea, Weller Brothers Landscaping

Enhancement by

Allie Rea

Everyone loves a trip to Costco.

But what about the employees? In Sioux Falls, the Costco management team wanted to ensure their employees could find a moment of reprieve amid the hustle and bustle that happens inside the warehouse.

That’s where we came in!

“When we had the idea of giving their employees a peaceful space outside to take their breaks, eat their lunches, or just enjoy the outdoors, we knew Weller Brothers was the obvious choice,” says local Costco management.

Before

The existing outdoor employee break area was a simple lawn space alongside the warehouse. While on break, employees had no appropriate outdoor areas dedicated to enjoying fresh air, eating lunch, or taking a smoke break. 

Sioux Falls Costco had little landscaping around the commercial property

Weller Brothers account manager Allie Rea was the mastermind behind this landscape enhancement. She says that she approached this project with the mindset of a Costco employee while considering the larger impact on the property.

“I tried to think like one of the employees going to use the patio space, but also kept in mind that this is a commercial space rather than residential,” Allie explains. “I wanted the shape and layout to be organic and symmetrical. We had to be flexible with the bed lines and patio footprint as we addressed unforeseen utilities, a hidden manhole, and many mature tree roots.”

Our Approach

Allie worked with the Costco team to select cost-effective pavers that are more elevated than a concrete slab. She notes that using pavers allows the space to change with the environment, while concrete cracks and breaks with the change of the seasons and the growth of tree roots. 

In selecting plant material, Allie considered both beauty and safety.

“I opted to install a row of Birchleaf Spirea to create an attractive barrier and feeling of security from the parking lot without creating blindspots for traffic,” she says.

Allie and the Weller Brothers team made it a priority to design and install the new landscaping around existing trees on the property. Throughout the updated space, she included additional simple and hardy Midwest perennials that complement other plant material on the property.

The Costco team adds their appreciation for the “hushed accents of colorful shrubs and summery mulch give off dreamy vibes that make you forget you’re in the parking lot of a wholesale retailer.” 

Sioux Falls Costco employee patio
Aerial view of Sioux Falls Costco employee patio

How About Your Employees' Space?

Next time you head to Sioux Falls Costco, you may see employees enjoying their new patio space!

“The employees have a variety of smooth, shapely concrete seating to choose from, and at any given time several employees can be found outside enjoying the employee patio,” says the Costco team. “They use the space to relax, decompress from the hustle and bustle of the fast-paced environment inside, and just enjoy the fabulous summer weather in an area created just for them.”

Allie adds that she is happy to see Costco employees using the space each time she drives by and hopes to inspire other commercial and corporate locations to soften their parking lots and create something beautiful for their employees to enjoy.

If you’re considering a landscape enhancement for your commercial property, Weller Brothers is your go-to partner. Take it from the Costco team:

“Costco is incredibly pleased with the way Weller Brothers took a vision we had and brought it to life for our employees. We have been in partnership with them for over two years and have always been able to count on Allie and her team to provide landscaping enhancements, lawn care amenities, and all-around quality care for any and all of our business needs.”

Landscape Enhancement: AlphaGraphics

AlphaGraphics in Sioux Falls gets new landscaping from Weller Brothers Landscape Professionals

Landscape Enhancement: AlphaGraphics

Justin Pudenz, Weller Brothers Landscaping

Enhancement by

Justin Pudenz

AlphaGraphics is a top printing and marketing company in Sioux Falls. Their professional and friendly team offers quality services including signage, banners, brochures, stationary, and more.

Heck, we once ordered an eight-foot cardboard cut-out of a Weller Brothers teammate from them. They really do it all!

However, their exterior landscaping wasn’t aligned with the quality of service that customers experience inside Alphagraphics.

That’s why they came to Weller Brothers with a vision for updated landscaping around the commercial property, and Justin and the team got to work!

Before

After 18 years in their building, the landscape beds at AlphaGraphics had aged. 

“It was time for a refresh,” owner Paul Van Veldhuizen says.

The rock beds were in poor shape, and plant material alongside the building and in the boulevard was overgrown and impeding drive lanes, and the poly edging along the beds was no longer serving its purpose.

AlphaGraphics in Sioux Falls before their transformative landscaping upgrade by Weller Brothers Landscape Professionals
Side of a building with old rock bed and overgrown plant material
AlphaGraphics in Sioux Falls before updating their landscaping with Weller Brothers Landscape Professionals

After

Justin and the team approached this project with solutions that would be low-maintenance, durable, and look great. 

“I engaged Justin for a quote on what it would take to refresh our landscaping beds,” Paul says. “Within the week, he met me with a drawing and pricing. Very easy and easy to understand.”

This included removing the existing plant material and replacing it with arborvitaes along the building, willows in the boulevard, and a variety of perennials in the refreshed rock beds. 

We also replaced the old poly edging with steel edging, which looks sharp and will hold up much longer over the years. 

AlphaGraphics in Sioux Falls gets new landscaping from Weller Brothers Landscape Professionals
newly planted willows in a rock bed at alphagraphics in sioux falls
new plant material and steel edging in a rock bed at alphagraphics in sioux falls

Hear It From the AlphaGraphics Team

Paul Van Veldhuizen, owner of the Sioux Falls AlphaGraphics location, says that Weller Brothers “made it easy.”
 
“They were very attentive to our needs and communicated very well when it came time to do the installation,” Paul says. “They even informed us of weather that may hamper their work. After the installation, Justin came by to make sure we were happy and to discuss care for the new plants.
 

Whether it’s time to refresh your existing landscaping at your home or a commercial property like AlphaGraphics, Weller Brothers is your go-to team in Sioux Falls, Rochester, MN, or Des Moines, Iowa.

Contact us today to begin the conversation!

Landscape Enhancement: From Dead Grass to Bright Corner Bed

a green lawn with a mulch landscape bed and plants

Landscape Enhancement: From Dead Grass to Bright Corner Bed

Dallas Moore, Weller Brothers Landscape Professionals

Enhancement by

Dallas Moore

After a large corner lot tree was taken out by the May 2022 derecho in South Dakota, the homeowners struggled to grow grass in the area. 

This was due to the accumulation of pine needles over the years. Pine needles create a challenging environment for grass growth due to a couple of key factors:

  • Soil acidity: When pine needles decompose, they create acidic soil conditions, but grass thrives in neutral or slightly alkaline soil.
  • Nutrient depletion: Pine needles deplete the soil of some nutrients as they decompose while releasing other nutrients. This creates an imbalance that hinders grass growth.

The homeowner missed his tree and was tired of the unsightly brown area on the corner of the property.

As an eye-catching solution, Dallas designed a simple mulch landscape bed that integrated pollinator plants the homeowner selected. These included hydrangeas, Pugster Amethyst butterfly bushes, powwow white coneflower, and lobelia.

We surrounded the bed with steel edging that will provide years of longevity over poly-edging.

Our client was thrilled to be part of the plant selection process and says many neighbors have commented on the new focal point of his yard.

Progression Photos

street view of a home with a large pine tree in winter
Street view of the tree prior to the May 2022 derecho
lawn with dead grass
After losing the tree, grass struggled to grow on this area of the property due to the accumulation of pine needles over the years.
street view of a home with a mulch bed
Google street view image after tearing out the area and installing a mulch bed
a green lawn with a mulch landscape bed and plants
New mulch, steel edging, plants, and boulders are in place. We can't wait to see how this looks once the plants grow in after a year!

How Can We Help Enhance Your Landscaping?

If you have a landscaping issue you’re not sure how to fix, trust the Weller Brothers team to find a solution. 

We approach these challenges every single day and we’d love to enhance your landscaping, too, in Sioux Falls, SD, Rochester, MN, and Des Moines, IA.