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Capehart Landscape Earns Esteemed 2017 Angie’s List Super Service Award

Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service

Capehart Landscape & Design is proud to announce that it has earned the home service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award (SSA). This award honors service professionals who have maintained exceptional service ratings and reviews on Angie’s List in 2017.

The service providers that receive our Angie’s List Super Service Award demonstrate the level of excellence that members have come to expect. These pros are top-notch and absolutely deserve recognition for the trustworthy and exemplary customer service they exhibited in the past year and overall.

— Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks.

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2017 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include maintaining an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade and review period grade. The SSA winners must be in good standing with Angie’s List, pass a background check, record a current trade license attestation and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Capehart Landscape & Design has been listed on Angie’s List since 2007. This is the 10th year Capehart Landscape & Design has received this honor.

Service company ratings are updated continually on Angie’s List as new, verified consumer reviews are submitted. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in multiple fields ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

For over two decades Angie’s List has been a trusted name for connecting consumers to top-rated service professionals. Angie’s List provides unique tools and support designed to improve the local service experience for both consumers and service professionals.

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For over two decades, Angie’s List has provided trusted reviews and information to help millions of consumers make smart hiring decisions. Angie’s List offers more than 10 million verified reviews in over 700 service categories, providing its members a credible resource for researching and comparing local service providers. Angie’s List is based in Indianapolis, Indiana and is an operating business of ANGI Homeservices (NASDAQ:ANGI).

Contact:

Steffanie Finkiewicz
Angie’s List
303-963-8384
mediarelations@angieslist.com

 

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Capehart Partners with Suburban Indy for a $21K Backyard Giveaway

We are very proud to be part of the Suburban Indy Home & Outdoor Living Spring Show this  year! Come see us February 8-11 to experience the outdoor living display we’ve put together.

To add to the excitement, we’re proud to be partnering with Suburban Indy Homes, and others, bringing you a change to win a $21,000 Backyard Makeover.

The $21,000 Backyard Makeover includes:

  • 300+ sq foot Techo Bloc paver patio
  • Techo Bloc fire pit
  • Small plant package consisting of shrubs and perennials around the patio area including bed prep and mulch finish
  • 1 Medium Big Green Egg, including nest and bag of charcoal
  • Windward outdoor dining table with 6 chairs and Rain Grade Sunbrella
  • 1 Tempest Torch – Portable Patio Model, LP Gas Only – propane tank with gas included
  • Wood firepit grate

You can register to win on-site at the show’s info booth OR online at any of the radio partners’ websites:

For more details regarding the show and tickets click here.

Capehart will NOT be attending the 2018 Indiana Flower + Patio Show, so we very much hope you’ll visit us at the Home Show. See you there!

Booth: Coming Soon!

Location: Grand Park Event Center, Westfield, IN

Dates: February 8-11

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Visit Us at the 2018 Indianapolis Home Show!

It’s that time of year again…we’re so excited to be a part of the Indianapolis Home Show for the 7th year in a row! Come see us in Booth 8427 to experience the outdoor living display we’ve put together for you this year. We’ve had so much fun planning for the last few months, and we’re excited to share what we’ve come up with!

We will NOT be attending the 2018 Indiana Flower + Patio Show, so we very much hope you’ll visit us at the Home Show. See you there!

Booth: 8427

Location: Indiana State Fairgrounds

Dates: January 19 – 28

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Our Friends, the Honey Bees

Did you know August 19th is National Honey Bee Day? Since 2009, one Saturday each August has been designated as such….and with good reason! By now, most people have heard of the decline in the honey bee population. But they may not know why it’s happening or what it really means. With that in mind, we’ve decided to dedicate this month’s blog post to our fair, fuzzy friends: the honey bees!

Which bees are honey bees?

We’re not gonna lie…we have trouble with this sometimes, too. While honey bees are probably most often confused with yellowjackets, they’re frequently mixed up with bumblebees, wasps, and hornets, as well. We get it—when anything with a stinger is flying around your face, you don’t typically stop to identify the culprit…. You run! But killing a honey bee or its hive could have drastic effects on our way of life, so it wouldn’t hurt to know which insect is which.

Honey bees are the guys most people think of when they think of a bee. They’re medium-sized and slender, with a pointed abdomen and lots of pretty yellow stripes. Bumble bees, on the other hand are typically much larger, rounder, and fuzzier, often with blocks of color, rather than stripes.

Wasps are typically much more aggressive than bees, and where honey bees have a bit of fluff around their head and thorax, wasps are shiny and smooth, with narrower waists and abdomens. Yellowjackets and hornets are actually types of wasps, and yellowjackets are often the villains that go after and sting humans. They look much like honey bees, with similar coloring and striping, so are often confused with their gentler cousins. When a honey bee stings, however, its barbed stinger is ripped out of its body, effectively killing it. Therefore, they tend to sting only as a last resort.

Why are honey bees important?

It’s estimated that 1 in every 3 bites of food you take has benefited directly or indirectly from honey bee pollination. We rely on honey bees to pollinate not only the fruits and vegetables we eat, but also the seeds and grains used to feed livestock. We depend on pollination by honey bees to feed us, so if they disappear…well, we’d be in a very bad state. Without the industrious honey bee, farming practices would have to change radically, and food prices would soar.

Bees and bee products are also important to the health industry. Antibiotic treatments that include honey are used to treat burn victims, and bee sting apitherapy can be used to treat arthritis. There are even studies in the works investigating the use of bee venom in cancer treatments.

What’s happening to the honey bees?

For several years, now, we’ve been hearing about the baffling decline of the honey bee. Much of this is due to a phenomenon called colony collapse disorder, or CCD. CCD occurs when the majority of the worker bees in a colony disappear, leaving behind the queen and a few nurse and immature bees—without these worker bees, the survival of the hive is doomed. This isn’t a new phenomenon, by any means, but the drastic rise in the number of cases of CCD since 2006 is what has led to such concern.

We still don’t know exactly what causes CCD, but there are several suspects. Disease and infections, climate change, loss of habitat, malnutrition, parasites, and pesticides have all been cited as potential threats to honey bee colonies. A recent study conducted in Europe suggests certain insecticides could be responsible for harming already weakened hives.

What can we do to help?

  • Buy local, organic honey to help support your local beekeeping community. It’s delicious and it’s just about the most “green” sweetener you can buy.
  • Keep a bee-friendly garden, or add bee-friendly plants to your landscaping plan. Single top flowers such as daisies and marigolds produce lots of nectar and make it easy for bees to access the pollen. Plus, they add a splash of color to your yard! Choose a few different types, so you’ll have blooms throughout as many seasons as possible. (For the more bee-wary homeowner, consider planting your bee habitat in a side yard, or someplace where your family doesn’t congregate very often. This will help protect the bees from getting swatted, too!)
  • When purchasing plants for your landscaping, make sure they haven’t been pretreated with pesticides. While you’re at it, avoid using toxic, chemical pesticides and weed killers—especially neonicotinoids—when treating your lawn. As noted above, this could be a major factor in CCD!
  • Do you have more land than you know what to do with? Consider letting a local beekeeper take over a small corner to build a hive.
  • Donate to your local beekeepers association…or become a beekeeper, yourself!

Long live the bees!

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Summertime and the Partying is Easy

Summer is in full swing, and with the warmer temps and longer daylight hours, it’s hard not to get into the festive party spirit! Have you already called on Capehart to design your outdoor kitchen and lighting? We may be a bit biased, but we think those outdoor living areas are the perfect spot for summer entertaining! Below are a few simple tips for hosting your perfect summertime bash—al fresco!

Crunch the Numbers

This may seem like a no-brainer, but keep track of how many people you invite, and make sure you have plenty of…well, everything for them. It wouldn’t do to run out of food halfway through the buffet line. Nor would it be terribly comfortable for anyone if ¾ of your guests have to eat standing up because you didn’t drag out enough chairs.

Stick with Classic Recipes

Don’t stress out when it comes to cooking. Pick a handful of easy recipes that can be prepped in advance—more time to enjoy the company of your guests! And there’s really no need to reinvent the wheel: corn on the cob, hamburgers, and hotdogs are always a hit. Maybe break out some fancy condiments and sides to give the meal a twist of your very own.

Keep the Drinks Coming

This is the time to bust out those summery, fruity punch cocktails! Make up a big batch beforehand and make the cups readily available to allow guests to come back for more whenever they’re ready. For some extra fun, cut up some fresh watermelon, then turn the husk into a punch keg!

Prepare for Pests

Hot, sticky Indiana summers unfortunately bring along the ubiquitous mosquitoes. Keep them at bay by first ridding the area of any standing water. A few days before your shindig, empty out any flower pots, rain gutters, or kiddie pools to remove their breeding grounds. On the day of, set up a table full of bug wipes for your guests to use. You may even want to plug in a couple fans to blow the suckers right out of the yard.

Don’t Forget the Music

Set the mood with a bumping summer playlist that’s long enough to last the duration of your party (or several hours, at least). Stick to classic, upbeat crowd-pleasers to put everyone in a good mood. Spread 3 or 4 speakers around the party area—more speakers means you don’t have to turn the volume up so high and run the risk of blasting out your guests’ eardrums.

Provide Entertainment

Did you invite families with kids? Have plenty of activities to keep them entertained and out of the grown-ups’ way. Slip ’n’ slides are great for this. And classic yard games like cornhole, lawn darts, and horseshoes tend to be a hit with kids and adults, alike.

Don’t Forget Dessert

S’mores are always a good choice—especially if a bonfire features in your party plans. Another idea we love is an ice cream sundae bar! The perfect and most delicious way to cool off on a sweltering summer evening.

Keep Cool and Party On

Did we mention those hot, sticky Indiana summers…? Consider setting up cooling stations around your patio and yard—cheap paper or plastic handheld fans work wonders. Or roll up some washcloths and throw them in an icy, water-filled cooler. Your guests will thank you, we promise.

Happy barbecuing!

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Get Cookin’…in an Outdoor Kitchen!

Summer is almost upon us! With graduation celebrations, July 4th, and Labor Day coming up, we’re looking forward to pool parties, barbeques, and all sorts of fun in the sun.

Nothing turns a yard or patio into a truly delightful living space better than the addition of an outdoor kitchen—it’s one of our most requested summer projects! And we’re not just talking about cobbling a patch of ground for the grill, either (though, we can do that, too). Have you ever considered how much more enjoyable your summer life would be with a fully loaded, alfresco canteen? Here are just a few advantages of adding an outdoor kitchen to your home:

Expand Your Living Space

In the warmer weather months, our backyards tend to become an extension of our living areas. Who wants to be cooped up inside, when the sun is shining and the birds are chirping and all the flowers are in bloom? This doesn’t just have to be confined to lounging around, either. Relocate your kitchen outside, and you can soak up every single ounce of nature the day has to offer. Prep, cook, and eat the food on the patio…then sit back and relax with a cool beverage while you watch the sun set. The only time you’ll need to come inside is bedtime. And if you have a hammock, well…maybe not even then!

Great for Entertaining

Have you ever noticed how dinner guests always pack themselves into the kitchen while you’re trying to prepare the food? It can be tiresome on the best of days, but in the midst of a summer heatwave, it’s positively stifling! Bring the kitchen into the great wide open, and you have plenty of room to let your guests spread out and socialize—with plenty of breathing room for everyone.

Increase Property Value

An outdoor living space and kitchen is an investment, but one that will pay off in spades. It looks great, is relatively low maintenance, and essentially adds an entire room onto your house! Whether you intend to put your home on the market or stay put for years to come, this popular renovation is a surefire way to increase the value and appeal of your home.

Is your outdoor home ready for the summer? At Capehart Landscape & Design, we have the experience and skills needed to transform your outdoor dreams into a reality. Browse through our past projects to see for yourself what we can do. Then give us a call to get started!

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The Benefits of Outdoor Lighting

With summer quickly approaching and barbecue season in full effect, have you given any thought to your outdoor lighting? Transforming your backyard space into a beautifully designed and well-lit sanctuary is easier than you might think…and we can help! Here are just a few of the many benefits of illuminating your outdoor space for the season:

  • Beauty
    Adding lighting is a simple way to decorate your yard and patio areas. Not only can it provide ambience on a warm, summer night, it can highlight your home’s best features. Lighting also adds a lot to curb appeal—a well-lit house, inside and out, provides a warm, inviting atmosphere and can be a huge selling point, if you’re looking to put your house on the market.
  • Security
    Having a well-lit yard and house not only looks great, but can also discourage trespassing and theft. With fewer shadows to hide in and a greater risk of being seen, thieves and ne’er do wells will think twice about messing with your home. Lighting your home’s outdoor areas also helps your yard look more maintained and lived in—another deterrent for prowlers.
  • Safety
    Do you have a back porch you use for dining or relaxing after dinner? A pool or hot tub, perhaps? If you spend any time outside after the sun sets, investing in outdoor lighting is an excellent idea. Illuminating your outdoor living areas allows you to entertain and relax no matter the hour. Lighted walkways, patios, and pool decks ensure that you and your guests stay safe in the dark, without any unfortunate trips or accidents.

When you’re ready to transform your yard—lighting and all—give us a call!

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10 Clever Gardening Tricks from the Pros

Do the plans for your backyard landscape include a garden? We love it when a design involves edible greenery, as there’s no better way to get fresh, tasty produce than to grow it yourself. Have you ever done the garden vs. store taste test? Try it with tomatoes…there’s no contest! And let’s face it—farm-to-table fare tastes the best when it comes from the fruits of your own labor.

As we head into the gardening season, here are a few tips and tricks from the pros to tend to your own little “farm”:

  1. There are so many beautiful annuals, but it can be such a hassle to replant them every year. Instead, “plant” empty plastic pots (poke drainage holes in the bottom first) and just drop your new seasonals right on in!
  2. Grind up eggshells into a powder and sprinkle in the garden. The calcium in the shells will give your plants a boost.
  3. Magnesium and sulfate-rich epsom salts are wonderful for maintaining a lush, healthy garden. Add some in the soil when first planting your garden, or for potted plants, dissolve into the water in your watering can.
  4. Strategically plant plastic forks—tines up—around your plants to keep pets and critters from trampling your garden.
  5. Speaking of critters, leftover coffee grounds will repel those unwanted guests while at the same time enriching your soil.
  6. Stop invasive plants from taking over your yard by planting them inside a large plastic pot or bucket. Just be sure to cut the bottom off first to let the roots do their thing.
  7. When you cook vegetables, save the leftover water and sprinkle it over your plants as fertilizer. The water contains tons of nutrients your garden will thrive on.
  8. Looking for a simple, non-toxic weed killer? Combine 1 gallon white vinegar, 1 cup table salt, and 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap, and voila!
  9. Store your gardening tools in an unused flower pot filled with sand. It’ll help keep them from rusting!
  10. Give yourself a leg up by selecting easy-to-grow plants for the Indiana climate, as well as for your particular soil structure and lighting conditions.

Need some help or advice? We’re always happy to chat with you to help determine which plants will work best for your home!

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One Show Down, One to Go!

 

2017 Indianapolis Home Show and Indiana Flower + Patio Show

It’s a brand new year, and 2017 sure came in with a bang! We just wrapped up the Indianapolis Home Show a couple weeks ago, and what a great show it was. There were so many friendly people there who were eager to get ideas and quotes to personalize their homes for spring. Surely this warm weather had something to do with everyone’s bright, sunny attitudes!

We received many compliments on our colorful booth with all its tulips, hyacinth, azaleas, trees, and greenery. Of course, our natural stone stacked water feature, with its handsome blue lights, was a great draw. We also featured beautiful Eucalyptus wood decorative panels from Australia which can be used for privacy as a fence, giving you just enough light for pergolas or yard accents that will be sure to command notice.

As they say, “what goes up must come down.” It’s always a little sad taking down our lovely displays, but we closed the Home Show on a high note and left with new client relationships and a good number of projects to look forward to.

Now it’s time to look forward to the Indiana Flower + Patio Show, March 11th through the 19th! The theme for this year’s event is “something borrowed, something blue, something old, something new.” All of us at Capehart Landscape & Design put our heads together to create a show garden that perfectly embodies this theme for us, and we’re so excited to share it with you.

We have been building our display off-site since mid February. Soon, we will transport the pieces to the Fairgrounds and put it together in time for the March 11 opening. It’s certainly a long process, but it’s also soooooooo fun!

The Flower and Patio Show is particularly special for us, because last year we won Best in Show—what a huge honor! This year we are on the main Feature Garden, aisle #10. Please come and see us! Justin and I are excited to hear your thoughts on our display and listen to your visions on your outdoor living project.

See you soon!

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Don’t miss us at these 2016 shows!

Indianapolis Home Show — This is our 5th Season at the Home Show and we are so excited. The show gets bigger and better and so do we! Last year we added more booth space and it was a hit!  Capehart Landscape & Design will be in the Garden Exhibit at the Indiana State Fairgrounds from January 22-31, 2016.

Our outdoor living area highlighted how small spaces can be comfortably roomy. We featured a gorgeous river stone carved bench and cozy fireplace. Our waterfall garden was a definite show stopper and made a great backdrop for family pictures. This year our water feature towers 6 feet and we have a second feature…back by popular demand…a bubble rock!  Of course our luscious garden, seat wall and paver patio are inviting and affordable. We can simply transfer everything to your backyard! Just ask us for an appointment, list your dreams and visions on paper, and let us do the rest. Visit us at booth #8427 to the right of the featured Fischer home.

Visit www.indianapolishomeshow.com for more information.

The Indiana Flower & Patio Show is March 12 – 21 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Stop by and visit us in booth #317.

This show sets the pace for thoughts of warm weather, backyard fun and gorgeous landscapes. Last year we were in the Belgard Challenge featuring a contemporary garden with a Zen feel. Our glass waterfall and European Belgard fireplace were a great balance between fire and water in small spaces. This year the theme is Tall, Dark and Awesome. We will have an eclectic feel of some rustic, plenty of outdoor lighting and different patio textures. Come see us and talk with one of our designers. We’ll be setting appointments as Spring will be right around the corner!

Visit www.hsishows.com/wp/indianaflowerandpatioshow for more information.

Here’s a preview of Capehart Landscape & Design work you can see at these shows. Click the images to enlarge.

show 2016 IMG_7950show 2016 IMG_8295

 

 

show 2016 IMG_8281show 2016 IMG_8283

show 2016 IMG_7948