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AG VanGundy Landscape, Inc. & AG Landscape Materials, Inc. |
Archive for the ‘General’ Category
Wednesday, January 4th, 2012
I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday season. I know a lot of you have taken advantage of this very mild winter weather we’ve been experiencing here in the Chicago area and have taken down your holiday decorations. Now is also a good time to prune your trees and shrubs. Dormant pruning is an excellent way of ensuring healthy growth and a great time to re-shape the plant. Pruning done during this winter period allows the wound to harden over before insects are prevalent in spring and summer.
You may need a few items such as lopping shears, pruners, a pruning saw, a ladder, and a rake.
When you prune, take off the dead branches of the plant. Not sure which ones are dead? Snip off a little bit, if the branch is brown on the inside, it’s most likely dead. Snip a little at a time toward the middle of the plant until the middle of the cut is green.
Inspect your trees and shrubs for branches that are “criss-crossed” or that rub other branches. Take off one of “criss-crossed” branches. Be safe and do not try to cut branches that may be too large for you to handle or that are over head. Once cut, these branches may fall and strike you. Leave this type of pruning to a professional.
Snip off the suckers that are coming out of the ground or that are growing perpendicular or straight out of the plant. Crab trees often have both of these types of suckering growth, as do many maples.
Trim off any broken branches within the plant and discard. Again, cut those branches that you can safely cut.
After removing any diseased or dead branches, you should clean your tools with a bleach or an alcohol solution to disinfect them so that, if diseased, the disease is not spread to other branches or plants.
Now is a great time to re-shape the plants – just remember to trim a little at a time, step back and take a look at it – because once you cut it off, you can’t put it back on. Dogwoods and especially Spirea benefit from this.
Dormant pruning is one of the best things you can do for your plants. If it’s your first time, it may be a little intimidating, but know this: most plants are pretty hardy – you may over-trim, but sooner or later, it will grow back, just be patient and take your time.
Tags: AG Landscape Materials, AG VanGundy Landscape, AGVanGundy.com, Do It Youself Projects, fall, Landscape Design, Landscape Installations, landscaping, Plant Maintenance, Roselle, Schaumburg, winter services, winterize
Posted in General, Plant Maintenance | No Comments »
Tuesday, December 6th, 2011
I recently heard that the average person spends approx. $700.00 this time of year on Christmas presents. The report also went on to state that if each person spent about $65.00 on merchandise that was made in the United States as many as 200,000 jobs could be created.
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.
Tags: AG Landscape Materials, AG VanGundy Landscape, AGVanGundy.com, facecord, fall, Firewood, Roselle, Schaumburg, winter services
Posted in Firewood, General, Gift Ideas | No Comments »
Monday, November 21st, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving! Here at A.G. VanGundy Landscape, Inc. and A.G. Landscape Materials, Inc. we have a lot to be thankful for this year. We have been blessed with awesome clients, vendors, employees, family and friends. I know I say this every year, but this year does have a special meaning.
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!
Tags: AG Landscape Materials, AG VanGundy Landscape, AGVanGundy.com, autumn, facecord, fall, Firewood, Mulch, Roselle, Schaumburg, winter services
Posted in Firewood, General, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 8th, 2011
Spring is finally just around the corner! I’m getting really excited about it. This off-season has been a time of real growth for me. I’ve attended a few seminars, home shows, and got to learn about a lot of new products. Like I’ve stated before, being in the business for over 30 years, you get to thinking that you know it all and can become a little stagnant both in business and in your personal life. Learning about new products, design concepts, and marketing ideas has given me a new outlook on my business and for the first time in many years, I’m really anxious to get the season going.
Although it’s still a little early to start a lot of your landscape projects, we here at A.G. Landscape Materials, Inc. have some products available now. We have gravels, some decorative stone, Dyed Red Mulch, Dyed Brown Mulch, Bark Mulch & Playground Mulch available. Topsoil, Garden Mix, Compost, and Sod should be available within the next couple to few weeks. Of course, firewood (mixed & oak) is available year round.
As of today, (3/8/11), our prices on most of our materials as the same as they were at the end of the season last year; however, due to the fuel situation we are experiencing, we do anticipate an increase in some of our materials. We think we’ll be able to hold price increases to less than $1.00 per yard of material. Hopefully, the powers that be will get a handle on the fuel situation sooner than later.
This past week-end, we attended the Flower and Garden Show at Navy Pier. WOW! Talk about an event to get you ready for Spring. There were a lot of new ideas & new products. We’re looking forward to implementing & working with some of them. It was so exciting to talk with people as passionate about landscaping as I am. It was also educational for me to learn about some of the new products and design ideas.
This week-end (March 12th & 13th) we’ll be at the Home Show at Harper College in Palatine. If you’re looking for something to do & you’re in the area, stop by and see us. We’d love to talk to you about some of the new products and new services we’re going to be offering this year.
Don’t forget to check out our website at www.agvangundy.com, our previous blogs. Check us out on Facebook @ AG Landscape Materials, Inc and follow us on Twitter @agvangundy.
THINK SPRING!!!!
Tags: AG Landscape Materials, AG VanGundy Landscape, AGVanGundy.com, Do It Youself Projects, Firewood, Hardscaping, Landcape Construction, Landscape Design, Landscape Planning, Mulch, Patio, Roselle, Schaumburg, topsoil
Posted in General | No Comments »
Thursday, March 3rd, 2011
It looks as though the worst that winter has to offer is behind us and we’re finally on our way to spring! Although the blizzard of 2011 was a little challenging it was a real blessing for the snow plowing entity of A.G. VanGundy Landscape, Inc. However, I have to admit I’m anxious to start the landscaping season.
This past week-end was spent at the Home Show in Arlington Heights. It was great to see so many people as excited about spring’s arrival as I am. I got to talk to a lot of homeowners regarding their projects, both do-it-yourselfers and those looking for a contractor. I’m really looking forward to working with them.
On Monday, I attended a seminar conducted by Unilock, Chicago. Now, I have to tell you, I have been in landscaping over 30 years, but even I learned a few things. As an “old dog” I often think that “old school” is best. It sometimes takes a nudge from my kids and my employees to broaden my outlook and I have to be honest, it was great to learn about some new products and new installation techniques. I can’t wait to implement these new learned ideas.
Our next home show appearance will be at Harper College in Palatine, on March 12th and 13th. If you get a chance, come on out. It’s a great place to get ideas and to meet with us face to face. Finally, I want to encourage you to check out our previous blogs as they contain a lot of useful information. The blogs pertaining to planning for spring I think you’ll find especially interesting this time of year.
Let’s all think spring!!!
Tags: AG Landscape Materials, AG VanGundy Landscape, AGVanGundy.com, Do It Youself Projects, Landscape Planning, Roselle, Schaumburg
Posted in AGVanGundy.com, General, Landscape Planning | No Comments »
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