Your Livable Garden

The Texas wine industry is exploding. Steven Morgan of the Bluebonnet Wine Trail joins the show to share the insides and outs of this bustling business and how you can enjoy the fruits of their labor (we couldn't resist the pun-ortunity.)

The principles of Islamic garden design have informed almost all of the work at Mirror Lake since Shawn first learned of the concepts in school.  Today, Shawn and Blinda chat with Emma Clark, author of The Art of the Islamic Garden.  Emma Clark designs gardens with a fundamentally spiritual and holistic outlook, undertaking them for private clients and public institutions, both in the U.K. and abroad.  She specialises mainly in Islamic gardens, focusing on contemporary interpretations of traditional principles. She is Senior Tutor on the post-graduate Visual Islamic and Traditional Arts  (VITA) Programme at The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts, London

Continuing from last week, Shawn and Blinda discuss the various elements that define and distinguish the quintessential southern garden.

Shawn and Blinda reminisce growing up in the south. Southerners have a unique relationship with their gardens, and along with guest "Skip" Richter, the three dish on zucchini-bikinis, black eyed peas, and more. 

The kid are getting antsy! There are only a few more weeks of school left, and if you have little ones you know that they're ready for summer. Shawn and Blinda chat with Chris Kiewra of Nature Explore, a non-profit whose mission is to "to help children and families develop a profound engagement with the natural world, where nature is an integral, joyful part of children’s daily learning" Chris offers insight into how best to get your kids away from their screens and in front of nature.

A quick way to add curb appeal to your home is integrating a water feature to your front yard. It may seem like a bold or intimidating gesture, so Shawn and Blinda talk you through everything you need to know to create a welcoming space around the water. 

If you need some attractive ground coverage at a great value, Shawn and Blinda have the answer for you. Are you looking for low maintenance and beautiful coverage with low maintenance? One of these options may be a great solution. Listen on!

Over 30+ years, Shawn has designed thousands of backyards and swimming pools. And he has noticed one fascinating phenomenon within these designs: our response to circles.  Sounds strange? Hear the man out...

There's a trend within newer planned neighborhoods: larger lots - much larger than the neighborhoods we've been familiar with the last thirty years or so.  With this increase in property and real estate comes a unique design challenge. Mainly, how do you design for so much more acreage??  Shawn and Blinda dish out some design solutions for these larger lots. 

The front yard is a unique area in our homes. It is where our private property intersects with our neighbors and communities. Too few people homeowners realize their front yard's potential. Shawn and Blinda discuss how to make the most of this neglected real estate. 

Before you build a pool there are some things you should consider: Mainly, most of your time will not be spent in the pool; It will be spent around it. This consideration should inform a solid, comprehensive backyard design.  ​​​​​​​Shawn and Blinda discuss...

Shawn and Blinda have made a name for themselves owning and operating Houston's premiere landscape design firm, Mirror Lake Designs. But more and more, homeowners are turning to YouTube, Pinterest, and other sources to facilitate their need to DIY their own backyards. In this episode, Shawn lays down the basics of sand-laid paver patios. 

Google and the internet has been a wonderful source for the 21st century gardener. Often times, the solution to our garden scourges can be found with a little self-investigation and a internet connection. However, other times our problems are more daunting. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the average homeowner could send in a sample of a disease-ridden plant, and get a professional diagnosis?  This is where Sheila McBride enters the story...

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Shawn and Blinda discuss this years' favorites. Favorite plants, shrubs, memories... It's a feel-good episode where Shawn and Blinda just talk about all those things that make us warm and fuzzy inside.

"Use your lawn as a design element." Michael Shawn Kelly breaks down exactly how to make the most of your front yard, and how to use specific design elements to create a livable garden in your own front yard.

Shawn and Blinda experience electrical problems with their Christmas lights, and Texas A&M professor of Horticulture, Monte Nesbitt, gives us the dirt on a terrific and unique Christmas gift for the green thumbs in your family. 

Shawn and Blinda tell the story of how they put together one of their favorite landscape designs for a client who had already "auditioned" several pool builders. So how does a trained and experienced landscape architect approach a new design? It begins with asking the right questions... and perhaps some rather blunt observations.

With enough children and grandchildren to fill an entire baseball roster, Shawn and Blinda know a thing or two about how to entertain and delight children in their garden. From wacky Dr. Seuss-like plants to delicious edibles, you too can introduce your children to the wonders of your own garden.

Shawn and Blinda chat with John Ferguson of Nature's Way about how to best create your own at-home compost pile. After all, now is the time to do it in preparation for spring plantings. Plus, you'll be surprised how composting can affect how much and when you water your plants.

Shawn and Blinda chat with a client about his experience with Mirror Lake Designs