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AG VanGundy Landscape, Inc. & AG Landscape Materials, Inc. |
Posts Tagged ‘Firewood’
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, 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 »
Tuesday, December 21st, 2010
Happy Holidays from A.G. VanGundy Landscape & A.G. Landscape Materials! Hopefully, you all are just about done with your holiday shopping & baking… I cherish this time of year as it is a great time to reflect on the past year and to give thanks for the many blessings I have received. Our clients, vendors, associates and employees are some of the best people I know. I’m so thankful for each and every one of them – it is because of them that I am fortunate enough to do what I do.
I’ve been blessed to do what I love for over 30 years. However, this year, in particular has brought a lot of pride back into my companies. We have worked on some great projects (check out our album on our web site @ www.agvangundy.com or on Facebook @ A.G. Landscape Materials). We have helped customers get just the right material in just the right amount for their do-it-yourself jobs. We’ve been able to other landscape companies get their materials so that they can get their projects done. All in all it’s been a very good year.
Here’s hoping you get to spend some time with your loved ones and that you can take a couple of minutes to think about the blessings you’ve received over the past year.
Happy Holidays!
Tags: AG Landscape Materials, AG VanGundy Landscape, AGVanGundy.com, Do It Youself Projects, Firewood, Landcape Construction, Landscape Planning, Roselle, Schaumburg, winter services
Posted in General, Uncategorized | No Comments »
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 »
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