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AG VanGundy Landscape, Inc. & AG Landscape Materials, Inc. |
Posts Tagged ‘Roselle’
Tuesday, November 16th, 2010
I started my landscape company over 30 years ago. We didn’t use a fax machine, computer, or cell phone. We hadn’t even heard of the internet, face book, or twitter. My, how times have changed. So has advertising your business. It’s all about getting your name out there and then providing the best service possible. In today’s economy, it’s especially important to take advantage of technology and its advancements.
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.
Tags: AG Landscape Materials, AG VanGundy Landscape, AGVanGundy.com, Roselle, Schaumburg
Posted in AGVanGundy.com, Firewood | 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 »
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 »
Thursday, August 5th, 2010
Hopefully this blog finds all of you enjoying the summer. I know here in the Chicago area we’re experiencing a hot, humid, wet summer. Rain has been a real deterrent for many of us getting some of our landscape projects completed. If you have experienced a drainage issue, you might want to take a look at our blog pertaining to Drain Tile Work that was originally posted on 3/8/2010.
Speaking of wet weather, it’s sometimes a challenge to get things to grow. I do have some suggestions for you. Certain trees do really well in wet areas and are a great way to add to your landscape and help the environment. Fall is a great time to plant trees and now is an excellent time to start planning. I have listed a few of my favorites that I think might be worth your consideration when thinking about adding to your landscape. I have also noted the trees that do well in wet, poorly drained soil.
Arborvitae (Evergreen)
Emerald Green – Foliage is emerald green and it grows in a narrow, pyramidal
form. It grows to be approx. 20’ X 4’. Tolerates moist soils
Mission (Techny) – Foliage is a dark green and it grows in a broad, pyramidal
form. It grows to be approx. 12’ X 6’.
Nigra – Foliage is dark Green and it grows in a pyramidal form.
Appox. 12’ X 3-6’.
Birch (Deciduous)
River – Pyramidal & Oval in shape. Multi-Stemmed. Light Green Foliage in
summer. Yellow/Gold foliage in fall. Exfoliated tan/white bark.
Approx. 45’ – 30’. Tolerates wet/moist soils.
Whitespire – Pyramidal in shape. Multi-Stemmed. Dark Green foliage in
summer. Yellow foliage in fall. White Bark. Approx. 35’ X 25’.
Hawthorne (Deciduous)
Thornless Cockspur – Glossy, deep green foliage in summer. Orange/scarlet
foliage in fall. White flowers in spring followed by red fruit.
Approx. 20’ – 30’ X 20’-35’.
Maple (Deciduous)
Autumn Blaze – Bright Orange/Red fall foliage. Oval/Rounded growth habit.
Approx. 50’ X 40’. Tolerates moist soils.
Marmo – Orange/Red fall foliage. More of an upright oval growth habit.
Appox. 70’ X 40’. Tolerates moist soils.
Red Sunset – Glossy Dark Green foliage in summer. Brilliant Red/Orange fall
foliage. Upright/oval growth habit. Approx. 50’ X 40’. Tolerates moist
soils.
Superform Norway – Green foliage in summer. Yellow foliage in fall.
Upright/round growth habit. Approx. 45’ X 40’.
Pear (Non-Fruit Bearing) (Deciduous)
Chanticleer – Glossy green foliage in summer. Red/Orange to Purplish in fall.
White flowers in spring. Approx. 30’ X 15’. Tolerates moist soils.
Serviceberry (Deciduous)
Autumn Brilliance – White flowers in spring. Purple fruit. Yellow to Bright
Red fall color. Available in Tree form or Shrub (Multi-Stem Form).
Spruce (Evergreen)
Black Hills – Pyramidal Shaped with short Blue/Green foliage.
Approx. 30’ – 40’ X 25’.
Colorado Blue – Narrow-Broad pyramidal growth. Blue, prickly needles.
Approx. 30’ – 60’ X 20’.
Colorado Green – Narrow-Broad pyramidal growth. Green, prickly needles.
Approx. 30’ – 60’ X 20’.
Remember when planting a tree to dig the hole about 1.5 times the size of the root ball width and 1” – 2” shallow so that the ball of the tree creates a slight crown. When placing the tree in the hole, just set it in, larger trees may have to be rolled in. When rolling, take care not to loosen the root ball. Once it’s in the hole, stand back and take a look at it. Is it positioned the way you want it? If not, turn it until it is. Now is the time to take this step. If the root ball, has twine or string around it, cut it or loosen the string. It’s a good idea to back fill the hole with a topsoil/compost mix either by purchasing new topsoil and compost mixed or just adding compost to your existing soil or garden mix, all of which is available at A.G. Landscape Materials, Inc. A lot of people will come in to buy a 30 gallon container of it when they have planted 1 tree. You may want to consider sprinkling a little starter fertilizer around the tree at this point. Once the hole is back-filled, be sure to water the tree as it has been through a lot. Next, I would recommend placing approx. 2” of Premium Hardwood Bark Mulch around the tree. The mulch will help retain moisture and will help control the root zone temperature. An added benefit of installing the mulch is that it will break down over time and create an almost compost-like soil around your tree which will aid in getting nutrition to the tree. Finally, cut off the tags, sit back and watch it grow.
If you need more information or would like a quote from A.G. VanGundy Landscape, Inc. please contact us at www.agvangundy.com or call us at (630) 295-8190.
Reference Material used: N.C. State University
Wilson Nursery
Dirr, Michael, J; Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses
Tags: AG Landscape Materials, AG VanGundy Landscape, AGVanGundy.com, Do It Youself Projects, Drain Tile, Drain Tile Work, Drainage, fall, Landscape Design, Landscape Designing, Landscape Installations, Landscape Planning, landscaping, Mulch, Roselle, Schaumburg
Posted in AGVanGundy.com, General, Landscape Designing, Landscape Planning | 1 Comment »
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