Landscape Lead Hand (Rochester)

Questions?

Details about this Career

The primary responsibility of the Landscape Lead Hand is to aid and assist a landscape foreman while on job sites. Coordinate and manage team members along with their schedules, in the absence of a landscape foreman. This position will perform a variety of outdoor landscape project installations that improve the functional and/or aesthetic value of the property. Many of the projects include softscape and hardscape installation, including pavers, retaining walls, and outdoor kitchens.Installations require experience and knowledge of operating machinery efficiently and safely. All Weller Brothers team members are expected to provide excellent client service by assisting clients promptly and courteously, answer questions and provide information as needed. A landscape lead hand will perform and assist in ensuring all team members are executing all job responsibilities in a safe, timely and efficient manner.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and competency satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform this job.

In the absence of a landscape foreman, oversee a crew of 2-3 team members, making sure they are on track and being productive.
Responsible for maintaining clean job sites. Record End-of-Day Checklist each day.
Maintain a strong work ethic to complete a variety of physical job tasks.
Professionally communicate with clients to achieve strong client/company relationships.
Operate a variety of outdoor landscape and power equipment, as well as a variety of hand tools.
Have experience operating excavators, skid loaders, and other machinery
Experience installing retaining walls, patio pavers and softscapes
Commit the hours necessary to make sure the job is done to satisfaction; this may include weekends and/or holidays
Maintain a clean appearance and conform to the Weller Brothers dress code.
Willingness to learn new techniques and installation practices.
Assist in maintaining all company equipment.
Follow all policies as specified in the Team Member Handbook.
Make decisions that are in the best interest of the company.
Other duties needed to help drive and fulfill the Weller Brothers Mission.

Required Skills and Abilities

Strong communication skills.
Superior work ethic.
Timely input of hours on LMN software to ensure accurate payroll processing.
Detail oriented, with considerable attention to order and cleanliness.
Ability to manage multiple tasks
Strong attention to detail
Experience installing softscapes, such as edging, mulch, rock, plants, trees and sod.
Experience installing hardscapes, such as pavers, retaining walls, and outdoor kitchens.

Education and Experience

Minimum of two-years experience in industry or related field.
Must be 18 years or older
High school diploma/GED
A valid driver’s license and a clean driving record is required.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a team member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Team members must be able to perform the following tasks during a typical 8+hour day.

HEAVY WORK: Lifting up to 100 pounds; frequent lifting or carrying objects weighing up to 80 pounds.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time non-exempt position. Specific schedules will be determined based on weather and general needs of the business.

Compensation and Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
401K with Company Match Up to 4%
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Cell Phone Reimbursement
Company Truck
Year Round Employment
Ample Overtime During the Summer Work Season

Disclaimer: The specific statements shown in each section of this job description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria considered necessary to perform the job successfully. The company recognized that an individual with a disability may require an accommodation to enable him/her to successfully perform a job function. Consideration will be given to reasonable accommodations. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

The Weller Brothers Way

Our Mission and Roots guide us in our decision and actions every day. They are not just written words; they are our culture.

Why Work Here?

You can work anywhere. So why work at Weller Brothers?

You can be somebody here, and we believe that we are the best employer in the Midwest.

Rochester

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

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

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.

View More Enhancements

Rochester, MN, Heavy Rain & Lawn Fungus with KIMT3

Landon Spurgin, Fertilizer Specialist at Weller Brothers Landscaping in Rochester, MN discussing lawn fungus on KIMT3 News

Landon spurgin discusses lawn fungus with kimt3

After the heavy rain this summer, Rochester homeowners are seeing brown spots on their lawns due to fungus growth.

On July 25, 2024, KIMT3 in Rochester, MN, met with Weller Brothers Fertilizer Specialist Landon Spurgin to get more information about effectively treating the fungus.

Rochester

How to Identify and Prevent Blight Disease In Your Lawn

a Midwest lawn has brown spots from blight disease

How to Identify and Prevent Blight Disease In Your Lawn

We all know what it’s like to feel stressed out. So does your lawn!

When your lawn is stressed, the leaves and blades of grass may turn brown, bleached, or straw-colored. This is a clear symptom of blight disease.

Similar to with Red Thread Disease, your lawn will grow out of blight disease, but it takes practice adjustments and time. The best way to prevent blight is to take preventative measures to keep your lawn stress- and fungus-free.

Why Did My Lawn Get Blight?

Your lawn becomes stressed by several factors, including:

weather and moisture fluctuations
compacted soil
improper mowing or watering practices

When any of these occur, blight disease takes over and you’ll see large, irregular patches of dead or discolored grass in your yard.

While this looks bad, there’s good news – blight primarily affects the leaves but doesn’t damage the roots, so it’s not a serious long-term threat to your lawn.

How Can I Prevent Blight?

The best way to prevent blight disease in your Midwest lawn is to keep it healthy and stress-free. We typically see blight disease appear on lawns that have received poor watering practices, are mowed with dull blades, or have a very thick thatch layer.

So, here are some initial steps you can take to improve your lawn care practices:

Perform deep and infrequent watering vs. frequent and shallow watering. This allows the water to soak further into the soil, encouraging the grass to develop deep roots that can withstand stressful dry periods.
Maintain proper mowing height for the grass type (usually 2-3 inches), which allows the grass to shade the soil and retain moisture.
Sharpen mower blades regularly. This creates clean cuts that heal faster and are less prone to infection.
Perform core aeration in the spring and fall. When soil becomes compacted, it restricts nutrient movement to the roots. This causes stress, making it more susceptible to fungal diseases. Aeration alleviates this compaction.
Perform dethatching/power raking in the spring. Thick thatch layers trap moisture and create a humid environment in your lawn’s soil – a perfect place for fungus! When you remove this excess thatch, air can circulate better near the neal and reduce moisture build-up.

If you don’t have the time or desire to follow lawn care practices like proper watering, mowing, aeration, and dethatching, then maybe it’s time to hire a full-service lawn care team like Weller Brothers!

How Do I Treat Blight?

Once you address the stress factors by implementing the above practices, blight disease will likely resolve on its own. We do not recommend treating blight with fungicides but rather by correcting the stress-causing practices.

So, here are your next steps if your lawn has blight disease:

Identify the stress-causing factor(s). Are your mower blades dull? Has it been years since you’ve had aeration and dethatching?
Fix the issue. For example, get new mower blades. Or, schedule aeration and dethatching with Weller Brothers.
Give it time. Once you have addressed the stress factor, your lawn should bounce back to health in 4-6 mowings.

Weller Brothers Is Here to Help

There are many turf diseases to watch out for in the Midwest. If you notice brown or dry spots in your lawn, something’s up.

The best thing to do is contact a turf specialist at Weller Brothers Landscape Professionals so he or she can identify the lawn disease and the proper treatment.

Rochester Sioux Falls

Seeing Pink In Your Lawn? It’s Likely Red Thread Disease

Red Thread Disease appears as pink fuzz in a lawn

Seeing Pink In Your Lawn? It’s Likely Red Thread Disease

Seeing spots?

Are they pink?

And fuzzy?

No, you’re not crazy; you have Red Thread Disease. (Well, your lawn does.)

Red Thread Disease is a fungal disease that affects turfgrass during wet or cool weather. You’ll also see it pop up right after periods of heavy rainfall.

While that cotton-candy look in your lawn might be interesting, you’re probably wondering how to get rid of it.

Is My Lawn Done For?

Great news! Red Thread disease will not kill your lawn and the consequences of the fungus are purely aesthetic. However, it is contagious and will spread by mowing or transferring grass clippings to healthy areas of your lawn.

If you’ve caught a case of the Red, you have a couple of options:

Do nothing. Thankfully, your turf will recover on its own with time. It’ll just be ugly and patchy until then.
Have a turf specialist at Weller Brothers inspect your lawn. There may be issues that necessitate a fungicide treatment to reduce the severity of the disease and promote rapid turf recovery. We’ll have your lawn looking great again in no time!

How Can I Prevent Red Thread Disease?

We’re so glad you asked!

There are several cultural practices you can improve or implement to prevent future visits from this fuzzy fungus friend:

Promote good air circulation with regular mowing, trimming edges, aeration, and dethatching
Always mow your lawn at an appropriate height
Water deeply, but less frequently to avoid a constantly damp environment

Weller Brothers Is Here to Help

We are your turf experts in Rochester, MN, and Sioux Falls, SD. If you’re unsure how to tackle the Red Thread Disease in your lawn, we’d be happy to provide a recommendation and discuss treatment options if necessary.

Rochester Sioux Falls

How Moisture Manager Benefits Your Lawn and Your Water Bill

Did you know that with one or two simple applications, you can reduce your lawn watering by 50%?

Is your irrigation schedule racking up your water bill without creating a green, luscious lawn like you envisioned? You are not alone in the uphill battle of managing the moisture levels of your lawn. The professionals at Weller Brothers in Sioux Falls, SD, and Rochester, MN have a simple solution — Moisture Manager.

Moisture Manager is a granular application that provides extensive health and aesthetic benefits to your lawn.

No matter the weather, the Weller Brothers Way is to adapt and continue providing our clients with innovative solutions for their lawn health goals. It is time to reclaim the added expense and stress of irrigation and consider Moisture Manager to reduce the need for watering by nearly 50%.

Circle pattern done by Weller Brothers Landscaping in Sioux Falls, SD lawn

Figure 8 pattern completed by Weller Brothers Landscaping in Sioux Falls, SD lawn

Benefits of Moisture Management

1. Control or Eliminate Dry Spots: Moisture Manager is a granular application that can be applied at the same time as a fertilizer and weed control application. The formula is evenly spread throughout the lawn and penetrates the soil near plant roots. The technology within the Moisture Manager ensures that water is evenly absorbed within your soil and held for times of drought.

2. Reduce Thatch Build-up: Thatch build-up occurs when lawns are watered too shallow or frequently causes the grassroots to not grow deeply enough within the soil. Moisture Manager promotes deep root growth and can lessen the amount of thatch build-up in your lawn. In addition to applying Moisture Manager during the growing season, aeration in the fall is beneficial to reduce soil compaction promoting growth the next season.

3. Enhance Nutrient Absorption: Well-hydrated lawns can evenly and more efficiently absorb natural nutrients as well as nutrients that are added through fertilizer. Applying fertilizer to your lawn can help it grow well and maintain the ideal look, however, if the soil presents too much or too little moisture, the fertilizer will not be as effective.

4. Protect Against Drought Stress and Disease: Long periods that include a lack of moisture can cause lawns to go into drought stress. This could include browning of the grass or going into a dormancy stage that does not generally take place until the weather begins to cool. Lawn rust is one of the most common forms of lawn disease that develops from a lack of moisture and will show orangish-brown spots that will get larger as the disease progresses.

5. Improve Flood Control: Moisture Manager is not only helpful in a time of drought but also in times of heavy rainfall. Moisture Manager will help your soil evenly retain water deeper within the soil allowing grass roots to grow deeper and stronger rather than shallow and weak creating a thatch layer. When moisture levels are high you may notice that your lawn creates pools of water that eventually evaporate and are not useable to your lawn.

When is the best time to apply Moisture Manager to my lawn?

As if Moisture Manager does not have enough benefits in itself, another benefit is that you cannot go wrong by applying it! Below are a few recommendations from the lawn care professionals:

Springtime — this allows for the moisture manager to penetrate deeply into the soil as spring rain falls and prepare for an unpredictable summer season.
Summer — as we reach the halfway mark of the Midwest lawn care season (July or August), the summer can be harsh on lawns as the rainfall can vary. Ensuring your lawn is being irrigated enough can become costly and ineffective. Moisture Manager in this season will ensure that your watering efforts are being maximized.

How to tell if it is time to apply or reapply Moisture Manager?

On average, Moisture Manager is effective for 90 days after application, meaning that two treatments a summer should be all you need. If the grass is starting to require more frequent irrigation to stay healthy, you will need to reapply.

Contact Us For Moisture Management in Sioux Falls and Rochester

The lawn care professionals at Weller Brothers in Sioux Falls, SD, and Rochester, MN, have the experience to identify if your lawn could benefit from Moisture Manager services.

Rochester Sioux Falls

Sidewalk Edging: Why Your Lawn Needs It

After sidewalk edging in Sioux Falls, SD

Sidewalk Edging: Why Your Lawn Needs It

Have you ever wondered, “What is sidewalk edging?” or “Do I even need to bother edging my yard?” The professionals with the Weller Brothers team in Sioux Falls, SD, and Rochester, MN are here to defend the hype behind sidewalk edging.

Sidewalk edging is a simple once a year service that makes a huge difference in lawn health and property value!

The Weller Brothers Way is to approach lawn health in a comprehensive, timely, and professional manner. It is time for you to take back control of your sidewalks and learn why sidewalk edging is the solution to your lawn health problems.

Before photo of sidewalk edging in Sioux Falls SD

5 Benefits of Sidewalk Edging

1. Smart Water Management: Midwest rainfall can be unpredictable, so preparing your lawn for heavy rains should be a priority.

Have you noticed that water pools in strange areas after it rains, specifically near your home’s foundation? Sidewalking edging helps you take control of this. Edging will help guide the water away from your house and avoid flooding your favorite landscaping plants. Think of edging like the bumpers found at the bowling alley — keep the water flowing exactly where you want it!

2. Keep the Trespassing Weeds to a Minimum: Edging your lawn is similar to building a fence or putting up a “no trespassing” sign for weeds. The clean line serves as a barrier, making it harder for weeds to trespass onto your property.

Not only does it serve your lawn better, but sidewalk edging can keep the weeds from invading your flower beds, too. It’s a win-win: less weeding, healthier grass, and a sharp-looking lawn. If you are having persistent problems with weeds in your lawn, we have a solution for that too with our fertilizer and weed control program.

3. Top Tier Organization: Lawn edging defines where gardens, walkways, or even your patio begin and end. This is similar to drawing a map of your yard; edging makes everything neat and prevents accidental trampling or mowing of flower beds. Not only will this make your yard look polished, but you will also be able to easily identify where you should mow.

4. Pest Protection: A similar reason to water management, edging will create a mini-wall that helps deter pesky pests from your landscape beds, garden, and patio. As a bonus, a clean edge makes it easier to spot pests and damage so you can take action immediately.

5. Property Value: Property value is important to any homeowner. Whether you are looking to sell or reappraise the value after the hard work of making your house a home, edging could help. Sidewalk edging is a simple way to make your lawn look like a well-maintained and high-quality property. Clean lines always impress potential buyers and boost your curb appeal.

When is the best time to edge my lawn?

While there is not a set date that you must edge your lawn, it is a task that you’ll want to tackle a few times a year and it will depend on different factors.

Springtime: This provides optimal moisture in the soil while your grass is actively growing. Performing edging in the spring sets your lawn up for success throughout the growing season.
Summer: As we reach the halfway mark of the Midwest lawn care season (July or August), the summer provides a great opportunity to reclaim overgrown edges and manicure your lawn for the rest of the season.
Concurrent with each mowing: this ensures that your lawn edges stay well-manicured and benefit your property all season long.

How to tell if it is time for sidewalk edging?

The key to edging is to do it before your yard begins to resemble an overgrown jungle. Below are a few ways to spot if it is time for sidewalk edging:

The grass is overgrown on your sidewalks, driveway, or flower beds. Overgrowth is the number one sign that you should edge your lawn.
Frequently mowing — if you are mowing your lawn frequently or battling fast-growing grass, you will likely need to edge more often to keep your lawn edges sharp.
Soil conditions and crumbling soil can lead to uneven grass growth, which will result in more frequent edging.

Contact Us For Edging in Sioux Falls and Rochester

The lawn care professionals at Weller Brothers in Sioux Falls, SD, and Rochester, MN, have the experience and equipment to properly edge your lawn this summer.

Rochester Sioux Falls

Rochester, MN, Backyard Bliss with KTTC

Michael Blazing, PLA of Weller Brothers Landscaping in Rochester, MN with Thatcher Pools talking about Backyard Bliss

Create your backyard bliss on KTTC with Thatcher Pools

Creating your own backyard bliss is easier than you may think with the partnership of Thatcher Pools and Weller Brothers Landscaping.

On June 21, 2024, KTCC in Rochester, MN, caught up with Weller Brothers landscape architect Michael Blazing, PLA, and Ben Thatcher, co-owner of Thatcher Pools, to talk about how clients can begin creating their dream outdoor living area with a pool.

Rochester

Fertilize Your Trees and Shrubs This Summer – Here’s Why

Evergreen shrubs in landscaping in Sioux Falls, SD

Fertilize Your Trees and Shrubs This Summer – Here’s Why

After a long day of being in the summer heat, a cold glass of water in the air conditioning is just what you need.

But what about your shrubs and trees? No, you do not need to build a custom air conditioner – you just need to fertilize them!

Much like humans, trees and shrubs need essential nutrients to continue thriving. This is as easy as one annual application to ensure they stay happy, healthy, and boosting your curb appeal.

Learn why you need to schedule your shrub and tree fertilizer today from the professionals at Weller Brothers in Sioux Falls, SD, and Rochester, MN.

Four Reasons Why You Need to Fertilize Your Trees and Shrubs

Trees and shrubs are living investments that grow in value each year. The foundation of their life span starts with properly maintaining them. Established trees and shrubs require appropriate and timely maintenance, such as pruning, watering, fertilizing, and mulching to enhance their health and growth.

1. Bigger and Better Flower Production for Shrubs

If you have evergreen shrubs (junipers, arborvitaes, or boxwoods) that are common in the Midwestern area, you have likely enjoyed the aesthetic flowering season.

Soil does not commonly contain the needed amount of nutrients needed to promote flourishing flowers on your trees, so fertilizer will prompt and support flowering.

2. Vibrant Foilage Color

Fertilizers contain nutrients that trees need to continue growing lusciously. Nitrogen, which is commonly found in fertilizers, helps tree foliage maintain a vibrant and thick foliage.

If your tree or shrub has a nitrogen deficiency, you may notice that the leaves are a pale yellow-green color. To properly diagnose and treat your tree, you should consult a certified arborist to ensure that pests and diseases are not playing a factor in the diminishing look of your trees.

Large evergreen tree in a Sioux Falls, SD backyard created by Weller Brothers Landscaping

Trees in landscape mulch in a Sioux Falls, SD backyard by Weller Brothers Landscaping

Small trees planted in a landscape bed near a fence in Sioux Falls, SD

3. Stronger and More Resilient Trees and Shrubs

A healthy plant is a strong plant. When plants can grow at their full potential, they become stronger and able to thrive in harsh conditions. In the Midwest, we experience extreme heat in the summer, frigid temperatures in the winter, and inconsistent rainfall in the spring. Due to varying weather conditions, your trees and shrubs will need fertilizer to become more resilient to these types of conditions.

4. Ability to Fight Off Pests and Diseases

You might not have guessed that trees and shrubs have so much in common with humans — they actually do! Consider a strong plant to be like a human with a strong immune system that can fight off sickness.

Fertilizing your plants will boost their immune system to help combat pests and diseases that can be harmful to their growth. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are common types of nutrients that are in fertilizer, and are essential to promote healthy plants.

Contact Us For Professional Shrub and Tree Fertilization

The certified tree care professionals at Weller Brothers are ready to work with you to establish a fertilizer program for your trees and shrubs in Sioux Falls, SD, and Rochester, MN.

Rochester Sioux Falls

Ravishing Woodland Rebuild

Landscape bed in Rochester, MN designer by Michael Blazing

Ravishing Woodland Rebuild

Design by

Michael Blazing

The cohesive front and backyard design carefully considers the variety of sun and shade access in this Minnesota yard.

The existing wall was a deteriorating timber wall that extended beyond the property line into a neighbor’s property. The homeowner wanted to replace the wall with something new, adjusting the layout so that the wall would stay within their property.

We used Versa-Lok retaining wall blocks and step units. This material allowed us to adjust the layout of the wall, giving it a long sweeping curve.

The backyard is quite shaded, so the planting layout uses an assortment of shade-tolerant plants to provide foliage color and quick bursts of flowers.

The front planting design mimics the rear design, though we could incorporate a few sun-loving plants in this space. The use of ferns, groundcovers, and other shade-tolerant plants “woodland garden” feel as they continue to grow and spread throughout the beds.

Designed

Landscape Lead Hand (Rochester)

Questions?

Details about this Career

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Required Skills and Abilities

Education and Experience

Physical Requirements

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

Compensation and Benefits

The Weller Brothers Way

Why Work Here?

Landscape Enhancement: From Dead Grass to Bright Corner Bed

Dallas Moore

Progression Photos

How Can We Help Enhance Your Landscaping?

View More Enhancements

Landon spurgin discusses lawn fungus with kimt3

How to Identify and Prevent Blight Disease In Your Lawn

Why Did My Lawn Get Blight?

How Can I Prevent Blight?

How Do I Treat Blight?

Weller Brothers Is Here to Help

Seeing Pink In Your Lawn? It’s Likely Red Thread Disease

Is My Lawn Done For?

How Can I Prevent Red Thread Disease?

Weller Brothers Is Here to Help

How Moisture Manager Benefits Your Lawn and Your Water Bill

Benefits of Moisture Management

When is the best time to apply Moisture Manager to my lawn?

How to tell if it is time to apply or reapply Moisture Manager?

Contact Us For Moisture Management in Sioux Falls and Rochester

Sidewalk Edging: Why Your Lawn Needs It

5 Benefits of Sidewalk Edging

When is the best time to edge my lawn?

How to tell if it is time for sidewalk edging?

Contact Us For Edging in Sioux Falls and Rochester

Create your backyard bliss on KTTC with Thatcher Pools

Fertilize Your Trees and Shrubs This Summer – Here’s Why

Four Reasons Why You Need to Fertilize Your Trees and Shrubs

1. Bigger and Better Flower Production for Shrubs

2. Vibrant Foilage Color

3. Stronger and More Resilient Trees and Shrubs

4. Ability to Fight Off Pests and Diseases

Contact Us For Professional Shrub and Tree Fertilization

Ravishing Woodland Rebuild

Michael Blazing

the Weller Brothers Way.

View More Tours