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AG VanGundy Landscape, Inc. & AG Landscape Materials, Inc. |
Posts Tagged ‘autumn’
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, October 18th, 2011
Our 2nd Annual “Tailgating Party” is going to be held on October 23rd. This is the week the Bears will be playing against Tampa Bay in England. I think we’re going for an English Theme (Pre-Game Music: Beatles, Rolling Stones…, Food: London Broil, Fish & Chips, Bangers & Mash…). If you have any suggestions I could incorporate, please let me know. My knowledge of the English culture isn’t that profound.
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!
Tags: AG Landscape Materials, AG VanGundy Landscape, AGVanGundy.com, autumn, Do It Youself Projects, facecord, Firewood, Hardscaping, Landcape Construction, Landscape Design, Landscape Designing, Landscape Installations, landscaping, Roselle, Schaumburg
Posted in Firewood | No Comments »
Thursday, October 13th, 2011
For those of you who don’t know, I’m here in the Chicago area. I’m a die-hard Bears fan. Now, before some of you start extending your sympathies, just know, that I’ve been a Bears fan forever – through a lot of good times, but especially during the not so good times. I celebrated the ’85 Bears, I was sickened when they fired “Da Coach”, and I cried when Walter died. It’s more than just the games; it’s the friendships I’ve developed because of the mutual hopefulness all of us, as fans, possess. Yes, I do attend as many games as I can, I go with a group of guys who have become my best friends throughout the years and we meet up with another group of guys in a parking lot and do the tailgating thing. We usually get to the lot around 7:00 a.m. for a noon game. It’s usually a great day (hopefully capped off with a Bears victory, but…) Anyway, my wife came up the idea last year of a “tailgating party” at our house. So last year we hosted our first one. We had the grill going by 7:00 a.m., Bloody Marys poured by 7:20, Bags Game in progress by 8:00, Singing of the Bears Fight Song and Raising of the Bears Flag by 11:30. We then made “the walk” (as we do at home games to Soldier Field) to my friends’ home and the Large Screen HD TV by noon! After the game, back to my house, more food, a few more beverages, and a fire. It was a great day (Oh yea, did I mention – the Bears did win!!!).
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.
Tags: AG Landscape Materials, AG VanGundy Landscape, autumn, Do It Youself Projects, facecord, Firewood, Hardscaping, Landcape Construction, Landscape Design, Landscape Designing, Landscape Planning, Roselle, Schaumburg
Posted in Firewood, Hardscaping, Landscape Designing | 5 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 »
Thursday, November 12th, 2009
We are well into November and after this past October (which was a rain out for the most part) you may have fallen behind on your fall clean up and fall/winterizing fertilizer treatments for your planting beds and lawn.
It is a good practice to remove large accumulation of leaves from your lawn when the lawn is completely covered. Sometimes, you can grind/mulch the leaves into the lawn with your lawn mower and mulching attachment. However, often, there is just too much for the mower to handle and the collecting of leaves must be done manually and then the leaves must be hauled away.
Once the leaves and dead material are cleared away, it is a good idea to apply a “timed release” fertilizer to the planting beds and the lawn. Now is also a great time to install a coating of mulch to your planting beds. A coating of mulch will help protect your plantings from winter weather and give your plants a better chance of surviving the winter. The best time to do fall mulching is late fall, once the ground has begun to freeze but before the first snow fall.
I know the fall can be a busy time of year for many of us and in addition to being busy; the weather seems to be pretty volatile. One week-end the weather is cold and rainy, the next it’s sunny and 60 degrees. It’s hard to plan a time to get the yard work completed. That’s why so many people rely on landscape companies to perform their Fall Clean Up. Companies like A.G. VanGundy Landscape, Inc. can arrange our crews around the weather during the week. We take care of the disposal of the leaves (you don’t have to worry about leaf bags, stickers and getting the bags to the curb on a certain dates).
In addition to performing your fall clean up, we can also bring you a delivery of firewood. That way you’ll be all set up for the winter months. The outside will be cleaned up and ready for the spring weather and the inside can be kept warm and cozy during the cold & dreary months.
Tags: autumn, fall, fertilizer, Lawn Care, winterize
Posted in Lawn Care | 5 Comments »
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