Why Landscaping Retaining Walls Benefit Your Yard

Just as there are a number of different ingredients that go into making the perfect cake, so too are there many different components to composing the perfectly landscaped yard.  The grass must be always green, luscious, and full of life; flowers must be blooming and perfectly placed; and plenty of gorgeous trees have to be scattered throughout your outdoor space.

While all of these aspects add up to create an ideal yard there is one more key ingredient many tend to ignore when it comes to crafting their landscaping vision; retaining walls. Retaining walls in your yard can be simultaneously practical and beautiful, both enhancing your space ascetically while adding to its functionality.

Here are a few of the many benefits landscaping retaining walls offer in your yard:

They are Low Maintenance

While landscaping your yard is a wonderful undertaking with big rewards, that doesn’t mean it can’t be stressful and time consuming to get to t

he finished product. That’s what makes retaining walls so wonderful. Once they are installed in your lawn (assuming they are installed by a qualified professional and built from quality materials), you don’t need to do much to them to maintain their functionality and appearance.

They are Good for your Wallet

Choosing to install a retaining wall will guarantee a large return on investment in the future, especially if you are thinking of selling your home down the line. A retaining wall changes the entire look of your yard and brings versatility to the design that other design elements simply can’t. Future buyers will see a retaining wall and be presented with endless possibilities on how they can personally use it. Long story short: a little more money now will make a big difference in your wallet for the future.

They are Good for the Environment

A retaining wall is an easy way to introduce eco-friendly materials into your space. It is more efficient and practical than a standard concrete wall, and water can naturally flow from its surfaces.

As any chef will tell you, if one ingredient is missing from their famous recipe, the whole dish is impacted. The same is true for any yard; many components are required to have a perfectly landscaped space, and if even one tiny detail is sacrificed, the quality of the entire space suffers.

Let your lawn stand out from the rest; contact the experts at Lafarge Fox River Stone,  we know quality and beauty of stone last a lifetime. Call us at 847-888-6133 or visit us in person at 1300 S. Route Business 31 in beautiful South Elgin to discuss your upcoming retaining wall installation.

Pre-Season Prep for Landscape Contractors/Businesses

It’s that time of year again! Ah yes, springtime- right before the busy season for landscape contractors and businesses begins. April marks the months where business really picks up and companies have to be ready to get out and get the job done. To make sure you are ready for the grind and demands, check out these pre-season prep tips!

Make Sure Your Team Is Trained Efficiently & Ready For Work

It’s always better to be safe than sorry in most situations, and your team of employees is no exception. Whether you’re able to keep your best workers year round or hire seasonally, it is in best practices to make sure your team has the proper training well before the busy season starts. If you wait till you’re busy to hire more workers, the possibility of hiring hastily increases the chances of hiring someone who isn’t a good fit with your company. Not only does a well-trained team increase your efficiency on the job, but it also improves the safety aspect of the job.

Make Sure Your Equipment Is Upgraded & Ready To Be Used

In your off season is when you should be keeping up on the maintenance of all your equipment. One way to keep track of everything is to look at the service history of your machines and see what kind of work has to be done. Whether it’s a major overhaul or routine preventative maintenance, these kinds of problems can cause huge issues during your busy season. You need reliable equipment for your field of work, and it should be ready to go by the time you are.

Make Sure To Re-Evaluate The Work Process

During the pre-season prep is the perfect time to sit down, evaluate your business, and come up with new ways to improve. What processes work well for your company? What could save time and money? It’s important to always ask for feedback from your employees to get a diverse perspective on your business. Coming up with goals for the next year can also help you work smarter, not harder, which will help you save time, money, and create a positive work environment.

When business picks up, it’s important to be on your A game and have everything ready to give your customers the best service possible. Your pre-season prep doesn’t have to be a stressful experience- with the right planning and utilizing resources, you can feel confident going into your busy season. At Lafarge Fox River Stone, we partner with landscape contractors and businesses to give great results and even better products. For more information about our company and services, visit our website or call us at (847)-888-6133.

The Chicago Flower & Garden Show

The annual Chicago Flower & Garden Show is just around the corner, running March 12-20. Lafarge Fox River Decorative Stone is proud to once again be a sponsor for this fantastic event! According to the official website, the tradition of the Chicago Flower & Garden Show can be traced back to 1847 when it was created as an exhibition of prized fruits and flowers. Today, the Chicago Flower & Garden Show is all about inspiring, educating and motivating the next generation of gardeners. The event takes place at Navy Pier, and there's a lot to do in terms of attractions and activities. Here what you don't want to miss:

• Feature Gardens - there are more than 20 gardens to walk through, each with a different theme and created by a builder with strong ties to the community. For example, you can walk through a "pollinator" themed exhibit by the Brookfield Zoo. Chicago Flower & Garden Show sponsor Mariano's has a floral market themed garden where you can purchase bulbs and blooms. Check out a complete list of the gardens here!
• Seminars - there are insightful seminars running all day, every day of the festival. Click here for the full schedule and more information about these fun and educational gardening seminars!
• Garden Gourmet Culinary Demonstrations - Chicago's very own culinary elite will present on stage their secrets to creating fresh and inspired dishes. There will be a different culinary demonstrator each day at different times during the festival. Check the schedule here to see if your favorite Chicago chef or restaurant will be sharing their culinary secret!
• Home & Garden Marketplace - The Chicago Flower & Garden Show's expansive marketplace has been a festival favorite for years. New exhibitors and returning favorites will be showing their green goods for you to peruse and purchase. Click here for the full list of exhibitors as well as a handy map to see where each will be located on the show floor.
• Kid's Activities - The Chicago Flower & Garden Show is fun for the whole family! Visit the website here for a list of free and educational hands-on activities your kids can enjoy at the festival.

So save the dates, buy your tickets, and enjoy the Chicago Flower & Garden Show this year. Make sure you look for the Lafarge Fox River Decorative Stone logo throughout the Festival Halls in Navy Pier as a proud sponsor of this great event and Chicago tradition!