| |
|
AG VanGundy Landscape, Inc. & AG Landscape Materials, Inc. |
Archive for the ‘Firewood’ Category
Thursday, November 4th, 2010
It’s been approximately 1 year since I’ve started blogging about various aspects of landscaping and landscape materials. Hopefully, many of you have found the information useful.
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.
Tags: AG Landscape Materials, AG VanGundy Landscape, AGVanGundy.com, Do It Youself Projects, Drain Tile, Drain Tile Work, facecord, Firewood, Hardscaping, Landcape Construction, Landscape Installations, Landscape Planning, landscaping, Lawn Care, Retaining Wall Construction, Roselle, Schaumburg, Snow Plow, topsoil, winter services
Posted in AGVanGundy.com, Firewood, General, Gift Ideas, Landscape Designing, Landscape Planning, Lawn Care, Snow Plow, Uncategorized, topsoil | No Comments »
Tuesday, October 26th, 2010
In my last blog, I discussed that fall isn’t too late to get some landscaping projects completed. Today I’d like to discuss those projects that actually should be done this time of year.
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.
Tags: AG Landscape Materials, AG VanGundy Landscape, AGVanGundy.com, autumn, Do It Youself Projects, fall, fertilizer, Firewood, Landscape Planning, landscaping, Lawn Care, Mulch, Plant Maintenance, Roselle, Schaumburg, topsoil, winter services, winterize
Posted in AGVanGundy.com, Firewood, General, Lawn Care, Uncategorized | 9 Comments »
Friday, September 24th, 2010
Well, it looks as though summer is officially over. Cooler temperatures have arrived, kids are back in school, leaves are starting to change colors and my personal favorite – Football is in full swing. Yes, I love fall. There’s still time to get landscaping projects done around the house. Actually, fall is an excellent time to plant trees and bushes, put down a layer of mulch, install sod that needs replacing and correcting any drainage issues you may have. Now is also the time to get your firewood for your outdoor fire pits and indoor fireplaces. Wow, there’s a lot you can get done in the fall. But, spare time is also minimized with the kids in school, sports, after school activities, meetings… That’s where A.G. VanGundy Landscape and A.G. Landscape Materials can help.
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.
Tags: AG Landscape Materials, AG VanGundy Landscape, Do It Youself Projects, Drain Tile, Drain Tile Work, Drainage, fall, Firewood, Landscape Installations, Mulch, Plant Maintenance, Retaining Wall Construction, Roselle, Schaumburg, topsoil
Posted in Drain Tile Installation, Firewood, General, Hardscaping, Landscape Planning, topsoil | 1 Comment »
Friday, December 18th, 2009
Merry Christmas
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!
Tags: Firewood, Roselle, Schaumburg, winter services
Posted in Firewood, General, Snow Plow | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 11th, 2009
 Now is the time of year when people purchase their firewood for the fall and winter seasons. Whether you are looking for mixed hardwoods, oak, birch or cherry, there are terms and information that you should know prior to your purchase.
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.
Tags: facecord, Firewood, winter services
Posted in Firewood | 3 Comments »
|
|
|
|
