We're always looking for ways to help our customers maximize the enjoyment of their Cape Cod Home. Many of the homes we build enjoy water views, and even waterfront. Water is always an enjoyable feature around a home. Small ponds are easy to build, and provide lots of enjoyment, usually attracting birds, frogs, butterflies, and crickets (no mosquitoes, though, thanks to the moving water). Here’s a step-by-step guide to building your own backyard sanctuary. 

How to create a backyard pond

How to create a backyard pond

It’s the middle of winter, and weather dictates almost everything on a gardener's to-do list. Even though February marks the heart of winter, there’s still plenty to do to prepare for the spring thaw. It's not too late to provide cover for tender and early-flowering plants. Get back into the swing of perennials this month with shopping, clearing, ordering, dividing and possibly a bit of planting. Spend sunny February weekends doing building projects so you're all ready when spring kicks in, like creating a raised garden bed. Here’s some great information and a handy checklist to help get your garden ready for a beautiful season.

February checklist for your Cape Cod garden

   Fall is a great time to take care of those necessary, but not so fun home maintenance tasks to get your home ready for winter. Here are a few things you should be thinking about:

1. Check smoke detectors and replace batteries
2. Have your chimney cleaned
3. Have your heating system and hot water heater serviced
4. Change HVAC filters
5. Repair or replace damaged screens and windows
6. Clear leaves around your foundation and flower beds.

MSN Real Astate has a thorough checklist for each season, and you can click here to see what they recommend for October: October Home Checklist

If you have things that you need done around your home, and need some help, REEF has created a small projects division that can handle these repairs for you! Click below to see how we can help you:

   People often see the fall as a time to clean up the yard, and watch their once vibrant gardens fade and prepare for winter.  The Fall can be a great time however to add some new and exciting color to your landscaping here on Cape Cod.  We are lucky that the Fall on Cape Cod is very mild and it is a great time to change the look of your flower beds and containers.  Here are some ideas for cool weather plantings that can add beauty and color to your Cape Cod Home this fall.  Gallery: Plants for Fall

    Fall is here, or at least on it's way to Cape Cod, and with fall comes leaves.  Managing leaves can be quite a chore to get rid of, but fall leaves can also have some benefits.  The other problem with most Cape Cod Homes involves pine needles.  Excessive pine needles on a lawn can raise the soil acidity and kill the lawn very quickly. 

    Many experts suggest using a mulching mower to chop the leaves up and leave them right on the lawn.  The mulched leaves add vital nutrients to the lawn, and act as an inexpensive, yet very effective fertilizer. 

Here is an article from MSN Real Estate with 8 tips for managing leaves at your Cape Cod Home this fall: 8 Smart Ways to Deal with Leaves

     Cape Cod is a unique place, especially when it comes to landscaping. Many Cape Cod Homes feature extensive, colorful, and often times low maintenance landscaping that fits the coastal style of Cape Cod Living.  So if you are building a new custom home, renovating, remodeling, or just want to enhance your existing landscape we have a few suggestions for you.  Perennial beds, ornamental grasses, often times highlighted with annuals for color and style are often seen on Cape Cod.  Using the natural topography to your advantage is also important. Instead of building a large retaining wall to stabilize a slope, why not use rosa rugosa, day lillies or a low ground cover to stabilize the slope which will provide color and style. Below is an article from houzz.com that discusses some of the challenges and opportunities when planning your landscaping in a coastal environment.

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/1868186/list/Lay-of-the-Landscape--Coastal-Garden-Style#

   Outdoor living spaces, and landscaping can make even an older home look inviting and unique.  Hardscaping such as walkways, and stone walls can serve to define areas of the yard, and are a great way to create flower beds, and walking paths that also serve to minimize lawn area, and are easy to maintain.  Building or renovating a custom home is much more than just picking lighting fixtures, and countertops. It is an opportunity to build a place that generations can enjoy, both inside and out.  On Cape Cod, some of the best times to share with family are cool evenings in the yard, enjoying a cookout, or just chatting about a great day at the beach.  Here is some inspiration for your next custom home project or renovation.

Here is the full slideshow from Freshome.com:http://freshome.com/2012/05/30/35-lovely-pathways-for-a-well-organized-home-and-garden/#

    Now that spring is here, and summer is just around the corner, we felt that a little outdoor inspiration might be in order.  Building a custom home on Cape Cod doesn't end at the walls and the roof.  Creating a unique landscape, with some special features can really make the difference between the average and the exceptional.  We found this great feature article from Freshome.com with ideas that might inspire your next landscaping project.  We hope you enjoy!

http://freshome.com/2012/05/14/38-garden-design-ideas-turning-your-home-into-a-peaceful-refuge/