Todd Farber · Aggie Horticulturist · Sugar Land, Texas
Free Expert Lawn & Garden Advice for Houston Homeowners
I'm Todd — the Garden Guy. Send me your plant, lawn and landscaping questions and I'll answer them myself, usually within 24 hours, and it won't cost you a thing. St. Augustine, Bermuda, clay soil, Zone 9 vegetables: if it grows in Houston, I've probably fought with it.
Ask Your Question Free
We've been answering Houston garden questions since 1991 — before Google existed.
There's no call center here. It's the two of us: Todd answers your question himself, and Sabrina keeps the whole operation running. A small family business serving Sugar Land, Missouri City, Katy, and the greater Houston area for over 30 years.
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Don't Guess What to Plant This Fall in Houston
The biggest mistake folks make down here is planting on the wrong schedule — treating Houston like it's Ohio. It isn't. Our Zone 9 fall window opens right when most of the country's is closing.
Drop your email and I'll send you my Houston Fall Planting Calendar: exactly what to put in the ground, and when.
Recently Answered
Real Houston Lawn & Garden Questions. Real Answers.
These are questions Houston-area homeowners actually sent in — St. Augustine problems, nutgrass, chinch bugs, fertilizer timing, shade plants. Send me yours and you'll hear back from me, usually within 24 hours.
How do I get rid of nutgrass in my Houston lawn?
"I kept pulling nutgrass, but it always came back. Garden Guy explained why and gave me a Houston nutgrass treatment plan that finally made sense."
Why does my St. Augustine look dry even after watering?
"My St. Augustine grass looked dry even after watering. Garden Guy helped me identify chinch bugs before they damaged even more of my lawn."
When should I fertilize my Houston lawn?
"I had Randy Lemmon's lawn schedule but wanted something simpler for my yard. Garden Guy gave me an easy Houston fertilizer plan and explained when it's too hot to fertilize."
How much should I water my Houston lawn in summer?
"I never knew how much to water my Houston lawn in summer. Garden Guy taught me to measure the water instead of simply guessing by sprinkler minutes."
Why is my St. Augustine grass turning brown?
"My St. Augustine grass was turning brown, and I couldn't tell whether it was heat, insects or fungus. Garden Guy helped me find the real problem."
Is that brown patch drought or lawn fungus?
"I thought every brown patch was caused by drought. Garden Guy showed me how to recognize Houston lawn fungus and treat my St. Augustine correctly."
How do I stop Bermuda grass taking over my St. Augustine?
"Bermuda grass was taking over my St. Augustine lawn. Garden Guy gave me an honest solution instead of promising a quick miracle cure."
What are the best shade plants for Houston?
"I needed the best shade plants for Houston—not plants that would struggle in our heat. Garden Guy recommended beautiful, dependable choices that actually thrive in my shady yard."
Got a Houston Lawn or Garden Question? Ask It.
No charge, no catch. Send me a photo, tell me what's going on, and I'll tell you what I'd actually do about it. You'll get a real answer from a real person — me.
Ask Your Question FreeWhat Houston Homeowners Say
Five Stars, Because We Deliver Answers
Real reviews from Houston-area homeowners who sent us a question and got a real answer back.
★★★★★
"I am new to Texas and needed help with my lawn and garden. I also sent in a question with photos and got a response in less than 24h! Who else does that? Such a valuable resource!"
Janet PattonGoogle Review
★★★★★
"Todd & Sabrina have been a beacon for those of us who aren't blessed with the green thumb but love plants. It's been great to have a source to help with plants that actually work in our part of Texas."
Julie DobieGoogle Review
★★★★★
"We are new to coastal living and have a new house with a new yard. The newsletter with all the types of weeds we experience in this part of the state has been immensely helpful! Highly recommended."
Connie CousinsGoogle Local Guide
★★★★★
"Todd the Garden Guy is just a cool, regular guy with a great partner. He is knowledgeable as heck with great sense of humor."
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Advice provided for informational purposes only. Garden Guy is not responsible for outcomes from following our recommendations. Learn more here
Free Garden Advice
Real Advice from a Real Local
Todd Farber isn’t a bot—he’s a Houston native and horticulture expert with 33 years of hands-on experience. Since 1991, Garden Guy has helped homeowners find the right plants, fix real problems, and create landscapes that thrive in Texas heat. Send him your question here.
Ready to Transform Your Yard?
Bring an Aggie horticulturist to your home for expert, on-site guidance. Whether you’re dreaming of a fresh front yard or need help choosing the right plants, we’ll help you create a landscape that thrives in Houston’s climate—beautifully and practically. Book now.
Project Before & Afters
See the difference a pro can make ! From struggling lawns to thriving gardens, these real-life transformations show how the right plants and smart design can completely refresh your outdoor space. Houston-tested, homeowner-approved. See them now!