The key to any excellent design, whether it’s an outdoor living area, pool, or landscape, is to create seamless integration of architecture, people, and the environment.
HDG Landscape Design’s owner, Kristin Howard, has learned through professional landscape architecture study at Texas A&M University and 15 years of design practice that each project and client is unique, and HDG Landscape Design’s goal is create a one-of-a-kind design solution that turns your dream into a reality.
Kristin is well known for innovative design solutions, and it’s through extensive research and continuing training that new landscape practices, styles, and materials are considered in the design process to exceed the potential of every client’s property and design goals.
TEXAS MASTER GARDENER
As a certified Texas Master Gardener, Kristin has offered training for several Master Gardener programs as well as provided presentations and education on the study of landscape architecture and practical horticultural knowledge for students and homeowners in Texas.
THE HDG TEST GARDEN
The HDG “Test Garden” was developed in 2013 to research commonly used ornamental plant material and how these plants actually handle the environmental stress of the local Houston area with plants experiencing extreme stresses of drought, full sun, full shade, and significant periods of soil saturation in order to determine which plants were better suited for Houston’s challenging sites. The HDG Test Garden continued to expand since 2013 and is now covering nearly 2 acres and in addition to typical ornamental plants includes unique tropical plants, local Texas native plants, over 50 varieties of roses, 50 types of fruit & nut plants, and 1,000 SF herb and vegetable garden currently testing edible plants better suited for hot, humid weather. The HDG Test Garden is available for educational presentations and tours with advanced booking.
HOMESTEAD GARDENING: A MODERN APPROACH
To better serve clients and the community, many digital resources have been created that answer commonly asked questions and common problems gardeners experience in the Houston area. The number one issue Kristin found in the Houston area is unhealthy soil causing unhealthy plants and a mismanagement of resources to keep plants alive instead of healthy.
The connection between healthy soil and a simple, affordable, productive garden is strong. The homestead gardening approach discussed in this podcast is now practiced in the HDG “test garden.”
See what’s “growing on” in the test garden and find new fresh ideas here: YouTube channel, blog, podcast, and Instagram page