Of course, this started me thinking about my own business. An American owned business, whose suppliers are all here in the in the United States. Most of my firewood suppliers are right here in the suburbs of Chicago. How does this relate to the topic at hand? Well….think about a gift of firewood. We’ve delivered several already and a few orders on our delivery board for later this month. Our firewood is from trees grown in the U.S., split by U.S. owned companies, delivered to us by U.S. owned companies and delivered/sold to you by my U.S. owned company. How many people could we keep employed just by purchasing firewood?

I know you’re probably thinking “Firewood as a gift? Really?” I know it may not be as exciting as some gifts, but I also know that in today’s economy, more and more people appreciate the practical gifts. Not only that, but it sure is a more personal gift than a gift certificate to a box store or a department store. Also, each time the recipient lights/starts a fire they’ll think of you.

We deliver to most of the Chicago-land area. We stock Mixed Wood and Oak Firewood. We can still deliver before Christmas, and we can even tarp the firewood and place a bow on it. You can always stop in our material yard and pick up the firewood, too. Go to our website at www.agvangundy.com for more information. You can also like us on Facebook at A.G. Landscape Materials, Inc. or follow us on Twitter at agvangundy.

I hope you all are enjoying this holiday season.

A few weeks ago we had a house fire at my home. Luckily my son was home and able to escape from his bedroom window, get to a neighbor’s home and call 911. He not only saved himself, but he saved our home as well. He is our hero.

The fire department was there in a matter of minutes and did a magnificent job containing the fire with minimal additional damage. The chaplain that accompanied them was very comforting and helpful. Everyone has done a great job helping us through this.

The outpouring of thoughtfulness has been extremely appreciated.

As for our clients – we wouldn’t be here without them. We realize that there are a lot of options out there for the type of services and products that we offer and are so grateful that they choose us. We do our very best to provide the best service possible.

Our vendors are incredible. Talk about good service; we can only be as good as our vendors. Hopefully we do them proud.

How are you celebrating Thanksgiving? Hopefully you will be with family and/or friends giving thanks for what you have.

Although it will be a different holiday season for us – it will be a celebration nonetheless.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Last week, I mentioned that I would post a “how to” blog regarding the installation of a fire pit. Well, here it is:

The first thing I would suggest doing is to contact your village/town offices regarding permit and placement regulations. I know some villages have certain requirements regarding the placement of a stationary fire pit, better to check it out before you start.

Next, decide where you want the fire pit to be installed. For size, I like to build mine with a 42” inside diameter and usually 4 courses tall. To ensure a nice circle, you may want to place a stake and run a 21” string around. You may want to mark this area with marking paint.

After you mark your area, decide whether you want a 3 or 4 tiered fire pit. Remember that 1 tier (or layer of stone) will be buried.

Order a “fire pit kit” from A.G. Landscape Materials, Inc. The kit will contain Grade 8 Gravel to be used as the base for the stone, the Unilock Stack Stone (your choice of color Nevada or Sierra), 1” – 1.5” Washed Gravel and Adhesive. You may want to order 30 – 60 pieces of firewood, too. That way you’re ready to burn. You can order your kit and firewood by calling us at (630) 295-8190 or e-mail us at agvangundy@hotmail.com

I highly recommend that you call JULIE (1-800-892-0123) to have them locate and mark your underground utilities. They’ll need 2 business days to completely mark the area.
Ensure you have all the tools you need. I would recommend a shovel, wheelbarrow, tamper, 1 stake, string, 1’ level and a rubber/wood mallet.

Now you’re ready to start construction:

Excavate the area to accommodate the Grade 8 gravel and the depth of one (1) Stack Stone. For a 42” inside diameter, the total circle will need to be approx. 60”. You will need to dig a depth of 8” – 10”.

Install Grade 8 Gravel where the Stack Stone will be installed. Make sure you tamp the gravel at approx. every 2”. You will need an approx. depth of 4” – 6”.

Install the Stack Stone. The 1st course should be below ground level. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th (if applicable) courses should be glued to the course beneath it.

Install 1” – 1.5” Washed Stone. This will assist with water drainage out of your pit. The depth should be at approx. 5” – 6”.

As an option, you can purchase a firewood grate from a home improvement store and install that within your pit.

Once your adhesives dry, usually within a day or so, you’re ready to burn.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (630) 295-8190 or e-mail any questions to agvangundy@hotmail.com

Finally, how about that game on Sunday night? Personally, I couldn’t have enjoyed it more; my daughter came in from Minnesota and went with us. What a great day it was!!!
Hopefully, this Sunday will prove to be just as great of a day. We’ll keep our fingers crossed and the fire burning!

One of the best additions to our landscaping was the fire pit. It’s so easy to install, you can do it yourself. We enjoy ours at least once a week (except during the winter months, when we enjoy the indoor fireplace). A fire pit is reasonably priced and a project that can be completed within a day. I did ensure that I had all the materials needed beforehand so that I was ready to go after my morning coffee.

Here at A.G. Landscape Materials, we sell the package. Everything you need to complete the installation of your fire pit (from the gravel to the firewood). You will, however, need your own level, shovel, mallet, string, and maybe a can of marking paint.

Before you start the construction of your fire pit, you may want to check with your village regarding permit and placement regulations. You’ll also want to contact JULIE (1-800-892-0123) to have them mark your underground utility lines. They will need at least 2 business days to mark the property.

Check out our next week’s blog for complete instructions on how to install the fire pit. In the mean time, if you have any questions regarding fire pits, firewood, landscaping or materials, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (630) 295-8190 or e-mail us at agvangundy@hotmail.com. Feel free to stop by our yard at 24W733 Lake Street in Roselle, IL to see our sample fire pit and the materials.

In my early years, I was of the 100% belief of staying “old school”. I liked my handwritten invoices and proposals. I liked my handwritten spreadsheets. I even liked seeing “A.G. VanGundy Landscape, Inc.” in the phone book. However, as my company grew, I brought in younger, technologically savvy people and my horizons broadened. Thanks to a wonderful, patient web guy, I gave up my phone book ads (which were incredibly expensive) and joined the 21st century.

We have a pretty active website @ www.agvangundy.com. You can follow us on facebook @ www.facebook.com/agvangundy. You can also “link” in to me at Linked In, just search Anthony G. VanGundy. I’ve got several informative videos on You Tube – you should check them out. Finally, brand new to me is Twitter. Yes, I have started to tweet.

I have to admit, I never envisioned these new ways of communicating, much less promoting my business, 30 years ago. However, it’s pretty exciting and I can’t wait to see what comes up next.

Some of our most popular blogs have been about Topsoil, Firewood, and Planning for Spring. Other blogs have been about Permit Processes, Sales Processes, Lawn Renovation, Snow Plowing, and Mulching, just to name a few.

Today I just wanted to let you know about some blogs that I’ll be posting in the future:

Cleaning & Sealing of your brick pavers
Polymeric Sand vs. Fine Sand
Building your own retreat space
Permits & the many new regulations for a lot of the villages in the Chicagoland area

I’m looking forward to continuing posting blogs.

If you have a topic or subject you’d like me to discuss regarding landscaping or landscape materials, please don’t hesitate to submit it to me via my web site at www.agvangundy.com.

Planting your bulbs should be done now. Bulbs are a great way to add early color to your landscape and, depending on type of bulb and depth of planting, will keep the color coming throughout the growing season. A little planning and research will ensure your success. Probably the first thing you should know is what zone you live in. Here in the Chicago area, we are in zone 5. Zones 4 & 3 are to our north and 6 – 10 are to our south. Knowing what zone you’re in will help determine the best bulbs for your area and the bloom time.

There are a wide variety of options when it comes to selecting which bulbs to plant. These are a few of the things you should consider before purchasing/planting your bulbs:
1. Color Scheme
2. Area (Is it sunny? Is it shady? Is it a combination?)
3. Bloom Time
4. Height of the Plant
Once your decisions are made, head to your local supply store and purchase your bulbs.

To plant your bulbs, prepare the area by tilling the soil so that it is easier to plant in. Mixing a little compost with the soil will help soften the soil and add additional nutrients (check out our blog dated 4/28/10 on different types of soils).

Many people choose to use a drill with a “tulip” bit to assist them in digging individual holes for the bulbs. Others choose to dig a “trench like” area to place the bulbs in at once; still others choose to dig individual holes with a tulip spade or even dig by hand. The depth of the hole or holes is usually listed on the bag or container that the bulbs came in. Also, usually listed, is the recommended distance between each bulb.

Place the bulb in the hole(s) root side down and cover with topsoil. Moisten the soil and tamp lightly.

That’s all there is to it. Now just wait for early spring for the first of the bulbs to emerge.

Fall Clean Ups should also be done between now and the end of November. A good fall clean-up should consist of at least removing and disposing of fallen leaves and other debris collected in planting beds and in your lawn area. Here at A.G. VanGundy Landscape, Inc. we would also recommend a core-aeration and installation of a layer of mulch. The core aeration will help loosen the soil and make it easier to accept the fall application of fertilizer. If you are going to put down any herbicide or weed killer, do not overseed at this time as the seed will not germinate properly. The installation of mulch is a good idea as it will help retain moisture and root zone temperature in your planting beds over the winter months.

Finally, with your outdoors ready for winter – make sure you’re stocked with ready to burn firewood from A.G. Landscape Materials. There are several different types of firewood; however we sell Oak and Mixed. We sell by the Face Cord, ½ Face Cord, 60 pieces & 30 pieces. We deliver to your home (in the Chicago Area) and stacking services are also available.

Check out our website @ www.agvangundy.com for more information regarding firewood or any other products & services we offer.

Have you thought about changing your landscape at all? We are more than happy to come out and work with you on installing plants or a new patio or walkway.

Do you have drainage issues on your property? We can come out and get the area graded correctly and install the drain tile so that your spring lawn and basement will be drier.

Once the leaves are down – do you have the time to rake them up and dispose of them? Here at A.G. VanGundy Landscape, we do. While we’re there we’ll be able to put down a layer of mulch, which is so very important to protect your plants against what could be a harsh Chicago-area winter. Installing mulch in the fall will help keep a consistent root zone temperature and help retain some moisture.

Don’t forget to call for your firewood. A.G. Landscape Materials carries both Mixed and Oak firewood. We sell it in a variety of quantities (30 pieces, 60 pieces, ½ Face Cords, Face Cords). We deliver throughout the Chicago-land area all year long. Don’t have a fire pit? Would you like one? How about an outdoor fireplace? Contact us and we can help. We have various sizes, styles and shapes available.

You can call us at (630) 295-8190 or e-mail us at www.agvangundy.com for details about any of the services we offer (from delivery of mulch, topsoil, gravel and firewood to installation of complete landscape projects).

Remember it’s not too late to get your outdoor projects done. Do them now and you may be one step ahead in the Spring.

We here at A.G. VanGundy Landscape, Inc. & A.G. Landscape Materials, Inc. would like to wish you all a safe and wonderful Holiday Season and especially a very Merry Christmas.

As we wrap up the year, I would also like to thank all of our customers, vendors, associates and employees for making this past year remarkable. May the New Year, 2010, be a year of prosperity, health and happiness to all.

If you are in need of anything during the holiday weeks, like firewood, bulk salt, or snow plowing services. We are available to help you. We are located in Roselle, near Schaumburg & Bloomingdale.

Our hours during Christmas week are:

Monday (12/21/09) – Wednesday (12/23/09) 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Thursday (12/24/09) 8:00 a.m. – Noon
Friday (12/25/09) – Sunday (12/27/09) Closed

During New Year’s Week our hours are:

Monday (12/28/09) – Wednesday (12/30/09) 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Thursday (12/31/09) 8:00 a.m. – Noon
Friday (1/1/10) – Sunday (1/3/10) Closed

We will reopen on Monday 1/4/10 at 8:00 a.m.

For Snow Plowing or Salt needs, if an event occurs, we may expand our hours. However, if you do call and no one is available to answer your phone call, please leave a message as we do check our messages frequently during snow/salting events.

Again, Merry Christmas!

Face Cord – A stack of wood approx. 4’ tall, 8’ long, 1 log (that should be approx. 14” – 20”) wide.  If stacked without a rack, only the 2 ends should be cross stacked and the center should be stacked tightly.

Half Face Cord – A stack of wood that is either 4 ’ tall, 4’ long, 1 log wide or 2’ tall, 8’ long, 1 log wide.

Ricks – Any dimension or amount of logs that the seller determines.

At A.G. Landscape Materials, we sell firewood by the Face Cord, Half Face Cord, 60 piece Ricks and 30 piece Ricks.

Dense woods, like oak and hickory, take longer to “dry” out than most mixed hardwoods and birch.  Oak and most hardwoods need at least 9 months split before using.  Although the industry suggests 9 months, we recommend and sell firewood that has been split at least 1 year.

Rain or snow on the wood is a completely different thing.  If you must tarp, then try to leave the sides open and pull the tarp off on sunny days so that the humidity and moisture can escape.

Stacking the firewood outside is best; however, many people have had us stack in the garage.  Over the cold months this should not be a problem, but during the warm months the firewood should not be left inside or against the house.  The wood can start to breakdown and often insects find homes between the wood.

When purchasing firewood, try to refrain from buying wood that comes from Cedar, Spruce, Pine or Fir.  In my experience, these types of wood may lead to a build up of creosote in the chimney.  Too much of a build up could lead to a chimney fire or poor performance of your flue.

Finally, once a year it is a good idea to have your chimney cleaned and inspected by a reputable chimney service.

Remember, whether you use your fireplace for heating or for ambiance, have some fun with it.  Create a cozy setting for you, your family and friends and I’m sure you won’t regret it.