Landscape Gardener Crew Leader Landscape Plus jobs strathmore

Landscape Gardener Crew Leader

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Landscape Gardener Crew Leader

Key Responsibilities: 

Summer Focus

  • Maintain and care for existing landscapes, including but not limited to, lawn, shrubs, trees and flower beds
  • Plan and manage all daily labour, equipment, and material requirements to complete daily objectives in a timely manner
  • Use a variety of equipment and tools to complete tasks
  • Communication with clients to ensure their needs and concerns have been addressed

Winter Focus

    • Snow clearing – manual labour and equipment operation
    • Ice management

Skills and Abilities:

  • Excellent problem-solving and time management abilities
  • Ability to work both independently and with a team in a fast-paced often changing environment
  • Critical thinker – capable of adapting to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the team
  • Demonstrates success with customer experience management
  • Demonstrates accountability for workmanship with a focus on quality and details

Working Conditions:

  • Love of working outdoors is essential and the willingness to work in inclement weather conditions
  • Able to walk, stand and crouch for extended periods of time.
  • Can lift a minimum of 50 pounds
  • During the peak season is willing to work extended hours
  • Full time, permanent, year-round (spring, summer, fall weekdays and winter as needed)

Qualifications:

  • Minimum 2 years’ experience as a landscape gardener crew leader
  • Landscape Journeyman or Horticulture Diploma an Asset
  • Capable of operating required equipment and tools in a safe and responsible manner
  • Alberta Class 5 drivers’ licence, a safe/clean driving record and reliable vehicle
  • Effective communication skills (both verbal and written – English)
  • Detail oriented

Wages:

  • $20 – $24/hr, dependent upon experience
  • Health spending account after 6 months

If you are interested in this opportunity, please email  info@landscape-plus.net your cover letter and resume.

Landscape Plus has been a leading landscape construction company located in Strathmore, AB for 31 years.  Landscape Plus is recognized for taking care of its employees, customers, and landscapes. Our area of expertise is creating healthy and appealing landscapes for residential and commercial properties.  Landscape Plus is a growing company and looking for individuals who are passionate about positively sustaining the environment and providing our customers with exceptional landscapes. Our core values align with the acronym G.I.V.E. – Gratitude, Integrity, Value, Excellence.

ice melt

Snow and Ice Removal – Pros & Cons of Ice Melt

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Snow and Ice Clearing- Pros & Cons of Ice Melt

Providing winter services like snow and ice clearing can be a slippery slope. Landscape Plus owner Kerry Malakoff explains the pros and cons of ice melt and what alternatives might be better on your property.

What is Ice Melt and when should you use it?

ice melt and pets use with caution
Ice melt can be harmful to pets! Use with caution.

Technically, ice melt is just another word for salt. Also known as deicer, ice melt is designed to lower the freezing point of water, preventing the buildup of ice or breaking up pre-formed ice into liquid slush. It can also break or prevent a bond between the pavement or concrete and the ice.

Deicers should only be used on ice NOT snow. It does not get rid of the problem, however, it changes the snow into a liquid, which freezes and you have an even worse situation with the ice. Snow you can clear but ice is much harder to address and can often stay all winter.

The way we approach it is to PREVENT ice from forming in the first place. Our snow clearing services are triggered on a trace amounts of snow. If we can get to your walkways, drive pads and sidewalks when there is a light dusting, we can tackle the job quickly and easily.

When we clear on trace amounts of snow, we eliminate the chance of it packing and hardening into a slippery mess. We also reduce the risk of it melting and freezing into a layer of black ice.

Years ago we would wait for a couple of centimeters to accumulate before going, but we found it took more effort as we were often dealing with ice. Our approach allows us to use blowers and shovels on walkways, which is where ice melt is most often used.

For parking lots and roadways, we use sanding chips or a plow truck. When it gets too cold, deicers don’t work very well.  When the mercury plummets to -20 Celsius or colder,  a better alternative is to use sand for traction on the ice.

We work all of this into a contract pricing strategy that translates to peace of mind for our customers.

 

Is it safe?

In our experience, all ice melt can have a negative impact on humans, animals, plant life and infrastructure. Especially if it’s used too much.

There are currently no labeling laws when it comes to deicers, so take the labels with a “grain of salt” when they make claims like “pet safe”! If it has a notice that it’s harmful if ingested by humans, there is a good chance it’s not great for your pet’s either. Overuse of deicing products on cement can cause it to deteriorate prematurely.

A better way

Although we have deicing products in our tool chest, we use them as a last resort. Our goal is to clear any snow before it ices up.

Our winter service crew goes out on a trace amount trigger. This doesn’t always work, like when it snows while the roadways and walks are warm in spring and fall, but it’s a great approach when the temps stabilize below zero.

If we do encounter an ice problem that requires us to use ice melt, we use it minimally with a finer granular and an even spread. This results in a faster and more efficient melt.

Want more tips and tricks for yard and property maintenance? Follow us on Facebook!

2022 Fresh Christmas Tree & Decor Prize Package

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Landscape Plus “10 Days of Christmas” Facebook Contest

Enter to win a 2022 Fresh Christmas Tree & Decor Prize Package*, Courtesy of Landscape Plus in Strathmore – Valued over $300!

The prize package is fully transferable and the winner will be announced December 1, 2022.

In order to win you must:

  1. Be a resident of Alberta age 18 or older
  2. Like/follow our Facebook page or our Instagram page
  3. Like, Share & Comment on the daily prize posts to increase your odds of winning

Contest details:

Starting Nov 21, 2022, Landscape Plus will post one prize daily for ten days. Each day, you can like, share and comment on the prize post, each action is an entry to the contest. We use third-party software to randomly select one person daily from all actions on the post, this person’s name will be entered into the final draw (assuming all other criteria are met, #1, 2 & 3 above).

Contest closes on the 10th day (Sat, Nov 30, 2022) at midnight. On Thursday, Dec 1, one name will be selected to win all ten prizes. The prize is transferable, the winner will be contacted and asked if they wish to receive the prize or gift it. This information will be announced and shared on our social media pages.

*The 2022 Christmas Prize Package includes a cumulation of 10 items + delivery. In a series of 10 Facebook/Insta posts, we will reveal the prize package. PLEASE NOTE: Not all items will be exactly as pictured. Upon randomly selecting the winner from contest entries, we will contact the winner to arrange free delivery IF you are within 50 kilometers of Landscape Plus, otherwise, you will need to arrange for pickup/delivery of your package and instructions will be given over the phone.

The contest is closed to Landscape Plus employees, subcontractors and affiliates. Any activity by Landscape Plus and/or its affiliates on the campaign posts will not be included in the draw. Click here to contact us with any questions or concerns.

Add a Rain Sensor to Your Irrigation System

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Watering in the Rain: Why is my sprinkler coming on when it’s pouring rain?

Have you ever seen sprinklers running when it’s raining? The worst is when there is enough precipitation that the ground is saturated. The rain combined with the irrigation is causing the water to pool or run off wastefully.

So why does this happen on some properties and not on others? The solution is quite simple. A rain sensor added to your irrigation system can monitor the moisture levels and ensure that it is only watering when moisture is required.

We install, service and maintain irrigation systems and rain sensors in Strathmore and surrounding area.

I have an irrigation system but it doesn’t have a sensor, can I have one added after the fact?

The good news is that we can retrofit your system to work with a sensor.

But water is still relatively cheap, will adding a sensor really pay off?

A lot of factors play into this, including the cost of water in your area, how much rain you typically receive and the area that you’re watering.

We realize that overuse of water the odd time may not counteract the cost of a unit, but there is more to the story than a few bucks saved on your annual water bill.

Overwatering can lead to flooding and undesirable runoff that can cause long-term problems. If there isn’t proper drainage, too much water can be harmful to plants, foundations and structures.

Keep in mind that the cost of water is only going up, and that a sensor will save you for many years to come.

The added bonus of a rain sensor is perception – do your part for the environment and stop watering in the rain!

I have a sensor but my sprinklers still kick in when there is rain forecasted for a few hours later.

Spoiler alert! A rain sensor is not able to predict that it will be raining in a couple of hours.

wiresless rain sensor Landscape Plus Hunter Rain Clik photo
Hunter Wireless Rain Sensor Unit

What is the quality of the unit and will I have an ongoing maintenance cost?

The unit installed by Landscape Plus professionals is an industry-leading wireless sensor that will do the job well and not become a make-work project for you.

 

What does it cost to get a rain sensor added to my irrigation system?

At Landscape Plus, we can provide and install a wireless unit to an existing irrigation system. We recommend including one with all new irrigation systems. Click here to order now!

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patio paver

Paving Stone patio, driveway or walkway

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Set in Stone: Paving Stone Is An Affordable Way to Add Lasting Curb Appeal and Low Maintenance Function

Paving stones come in different colours and sizes and can be laid in several different patterns.paving stone

In the Calgary area (Strathmore, Langdon, Indus, Chestermere) we source products from reputable manufacturing companies to ensure quality. Our preferred suppliers have their options online at Belgard and Barkman. Tell us what you like; we take care of it from there!)

Surprisingly versatile, paving stones can be used for pathways, patios and driveways. The most crucial step is the preparation of the site. If this step is overlooked or rushed or ill-considered, expect problems down the road!

When you hire a crew from Landscape Plus, you can rest assured that the foundation is properly laid for a solid project that will last for years to come.

Here’s what you can expect from our crew:

  • The soil is excavated out to a minimum depth of 8″.
  • Crush gravel is used as a base material.
  • It is well tamped to make sure the base doesn’t shift in any way.
  • Once the grades have been set and the finished surface will have a sufficient slope for drainage the paving stones are laid on a bed of sand.
  • A retaining edger needs to be installed on the outside of the stone to keep them tight and avoid shifting.

And that’s just the prep work!

Finishing your paving stone patio, driveway or walkway

Once we have properly prepared the site, we get to work on the fun part, laying the patio stones into place. A polymeric jointing sand is spread and swept into the cracks while a tamper runs over the stone many times. This firms up the stone by filling in the cracks with the jointing sand. Then the patio is wet down with a mist to activate the polymeric agent and the paving stones can now be used for many years to come.

Unlike concrete, the stones can be lifted and any cracks can be filled to have a smooth surface at all times. A stone lasts for many years. The European cobble walks and roadways can attest to that! Check out some of our past projects on Facebook or Instagram.

What does it cost to get a paving stone patio, driveway or walkway?

At Landscape Plus, we typically charge $25.00* per square foot which includes the materials, labour and equipment. Click here to contact us and get a quote today!

*Price estimate for typical materials as per 2021. Rates subject to change. Travel charges may apply.