Landscaping Across Barnstable's Villages: Hyannis to Osterville

Hyannis is the commercial center of the Cape, and residential lots here are usually tighter than in the other villages. On a small lot every surface has a job. The front strip handles curb appeal, the side yard is often a utility path for trash bins and bikes, and the back yard has to fit a patio, a grill and some lawn without feeling crowded.

For homeowners, the best return in Hyannis usually comes from three things: a clean, defined edge between lawn and beds, a hardscape surface that drains well in sandy soil, and plants that stay compact without constant shearing. Inkberry, compact hydrangeas and native grasses fit narrow beds better than shrubs that want to grow eight feet wide.

The older neighborhoods of Osterville and Centerville were planted a long time ago, and it shows. Large oaks, beeches and long hedge lines create beautiful shade, but they also set the agenda for the whole year. The canopy decides where grass will grow, how many leaves land in November and how much root competition your beds face.

Two practical tips for these villages. First, stop fighting for lawn in deep shade. A shade tolerant fescue mix will hold where there is some sun, but under a dense oak a mulched bed or a groundcover is a better long term answer. Second, have mature trees looked at every few years before a storm finds the weak limb for you. Nor'easters and the occasional tropical storm, like Hurricane Bob in 1991, have shown how much damage a single failed oak can do to a roof.

Waterfront properties along the bays in Osterville and along the Centerville River add salt spray to the mix. Hedges often brown on the side facing the water. Picking salt tolerant plants such as bayberry, beach plum, rugosa rose and seaside goldenrod for the exposed edge saves a lot of replanting.

Marstons Mills is the inland village, with ponds, the Marstons Mills River and cranberry bogs that still shape the landscape. Cotuit sits on the water, with small beaches and long stretches of shoreline. What the two share is very sandy soil and a lot of nearby water that the town is working hard to protect.

Sandy soil drains fast, which is good for patios and bad for lawns in July. The fix is not more fertilizer, it is more organic matter. Core aeration followed by topdressing with compost and overseeding in early fall builds a lawn that holds moisture longer and needs less feeding.

If your property borders a pond, a bog or the shore, assume any digging, grading or tree removal near the water may need a review by the Barnstable Conservation Commission. A naturally vegetated buffer strip at the water's edge is usually the easiest thing to maintain and the friendliest choice for the pond.

North of Route 6, the feel changes completely. West Barnstable and Barnstable Village sit along Route 6A, the Old King's Highway, overlooking the Great Marsh and Sandy Neck on Cape Cod Bay. Older homes, stone walls, split rail and picket fences, and wide country lots define the area.

These villages fall within the Old King's Highway Regional Historic District. In practice, exterior changes visible from a public way, such as a new fence, wall or certain hardscape features, can require approval from the town's historic district committee before work starts. Ordinary planting and lawn care do not, but a new front walkway or a fieldstone wall is worth checking first.

Landscaping on the north side tends to look best when it stays simple and period appropriate. Native shrubs, lilacs, old fashioned perennials and natural stone usually suit these homes better than bright modern pavers.

Barnstable adopted its own fertilizer regulation in 2014 to reduce the nitrogen and phosphorus reaching its ponds, bays and wetlands. The rule ties lawn feeding to the University of Massachusetts Extension turf best management practices and sets up certification for people who apply fertilizer professionally.

A few habits keep any homeowner on the right side of the rule and the water: never let fertilizer land on driveways, sidewalks or roads, sweep up any spill back onto the lawn, and skip feeding when heavy rain is in the forecast. Many established Barnstable lawns need far less fertilizer than people assume, especially when clippings are left on the lawn.

Beyond fertilizer, remember the two reviews already mentioned: the Conservation Commission for work near wetlands, ponds and the shore, and the historic district committee for visible exterior changes along the north side. When in doubt, ask before you build.

Spring (April into May): rake out matted leaves, cut back perennials and ornamental grasses, check for winter salt and plow damage along the road, and edge the beds. Hold off on heavy feeding until the grass is actively growing. Seasonal homes in Osterville and Hyannis Port usually want this done before the owners arrive.

Summer (June to August): mow high, water deeply but less often, and keep an eye on lawns near the bays and lakes during dry spells. Prune spring flowering shrubs right after they bloom. Fall (September to November): this is the best window for aeration and overseeding, followed by the big leaf cleanup once the oaks finally drop, which is often late on the Cape. Winter: walk the property after big storms and note any hanging or cracked limbs.

Best Cape Cod Landscaping is based in Mashpee, right next door to Cotuit and Marstons Mills, and we serve every town on Cape Cod, including all seven villages of Barnstable. We handle fall cleanups, tree service, hardscaping such as patios, walkways and retaining walls, and lawn care including mowing, aeration, overseeding and fertilizing.

We are insured, estimates are free and there is no fee for the visit. Same-day service is available when the schedule allows, and if something is not right, we come back and redo it at no cost. If you are planning a cleanup, a patio or a new lawn program anywhere from Hyannis to Osterville, request a free estimate or call (774) 552-9202 and we will take a look.