The Dirt from Garden Guy
Real Houston Advice. Real Before & Afters.
Todd Farber brings over 33 years of local horticulture experience—sharing no-fluff tips for your Houston lawn, garden, and landscape.
📸 See real before-and-after projects.
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Trusted advice from Todd Farber—Houston's go-to horticulturist.
GARDEN GUY'S FREEZE SURVIVAL GUIDE Protect Your Sugar Land & Houston Landscape
Houston, a freeze is coming. In February 2021, Sugar Land neighborhoods lost 60% of their plants overnight—some homeowners lost $20,000 in landscaping. The difference between survival and devastation? Preparation. This comprehensive guide gives you exact kill temperatures for ixora, hibiscus, and plumbago, plus Todd's 48-hour action plan to protect your landscape. Don't repeat the mistakes of 2021. Download your free guide now.
Is Your Pine Tree Dying from the Top Down? Here's What's Really Happening
When Eric sent us photos of his pine tree, he hoped for good news. The brown crown and pitch bleeding told a different story—pine bark beetles had already won. Here's what every Houston homeowner needs to know about spotting the warning signs before it's too late.
SORRY IN ADVANCE to Every Sugar Land Homeowner Who Doesn't Read This
Learn the 72-hour method that saved Sugar Land yards during Winter Storm Uri. Free checklist: protect your landscape before the next freeze hits Houston.
Freeze-Proof Your Sienna, Telfair, or Sugar Creek Yard: Essential Lessons from the 2021 Texas Freeze
The 2021 freeze devastated Sugar Land landscapes. Learn which plants survived in Sienna, Telfair, and Sugar Creek—and exactly what to do NOW to protect your yard before the next freeze hits. 30+ years of expert data from Texas A&M Horticulturist Todd Farber.
Which Trees Will Survive a Houston & Sugar Land Freeze?
Wondering which trees can handle Houston's surprise cold snaps? Ask Garden Guy shares 9 proven freeze-hardy trees that thrive in Sugar Land, Sienna, and surrounding areas—from majestic live oaks to colorful crape myrtles. These cold-tolerant varieties are built to survive Texas weather extremes.
December Landscaping Checklist for Texas: Your Complete Guide
December is actually one of the BEST months for Texas landscaping. Get your complete guide on what to plant, prune, and protect this month—plus expert tips from 30+ years of experience caring for Texas landscapes.
🐾 Pet-Safe Plants for Houston Gardens & Homes 🌿
Houston's warm climate is perfect for lush landscaping, but not every plant is safe for curious pets. If you're a pet parent, you need to know which plants your furry friends can safely explore—and which ones to avoid. This comprehensive guide covers the best pet-safe plants that thrive in Houston's unique climate, from heat-loving landscape plants like Blue Daze and Mexican Heather to humidity-loving houseplants like Boston Ferns and Prayer Plants. You'll also learn which popular Houston plants are toxic to pets (looking at you, Azaleas and Sago Palms!) and get practical tips for creating a pet-friendly landscape that can handle Houston's weather AND your pet's playtime. Plus, sign up for our newsletter for a bonus entry into our Holiday Pet Photo Contest—win a $20 Amazon gift card! Whether you're redesigning your yard or adding houseplants, create a space where both you and your pets can thrive.
Complete Guide to St. Augustine Grass Care in Houston: Expert Tips from an Aggie Horticulturist
St. Augustine is Houston's most popular lawn grass—but keeping it healthy requires understanding our unique Zone 9 climate. This complete 53-page guide covers everything from monthly care calendars to diagnosing brown patch, chinch bugs, and yellow grass. Get expert tips from Texas A&M Aggie Horticulturist Todd Farber, who's been caring for Sugar Land and Fort Bend County lawns for 30+ years. Download your free guide today!
December Landscaping Checklist for Houston Homeowners: Your Complete Guide to Zone 9 Yard Maintenance
Your complete December landscaping guide for Sugar Land yards. Learn what shrubs to plant now, proper pruning timing, mulching techniques, freeze protection for Houston plants, and week-by-week maintenance tasks. Includes Zone 9-specific advice for outdoor shrubs, trees, and plants from a Texas A&M Aggie Horticulturist with 30+ years in Fort Bend County. Make December count for a beautiful spring landscape!
Stop Planting Your Plants Too Deep — Here’s the Right Way (Houston Edition)
Most Houston homeowners plant incorrectly — fix it in 5 steps. Learn how wide to dig, how deep to plant, how to loosen roots, and how to water so plants thrive.
🎄 Gift Yourself a Holiday Home Makeover: Best Plants to Install Now in Houston (Zone 9a)
Planting season in Houston isn’t spring — it’s now. Cooler air and warm soil help plants establish strong roots before summer heat returns. Discover the best freeze-resistant flowers, shrubs, and trees to install this holiday season and download our free Holiday Planting Guide (with a $250 project coupon inside).
Best Perennials for Houston (Updated 2025 Guide)
Struggling to figure out what actually grows in Houston’s heat, humidity, and unpredictable freezes? This updated 2025 guide highlights the best proven perennials for Houston yards—plus planting tips, watering advice, and a free downloadable plant list.
Best Privacy Trees for Sugar Land: Expert Guide to Evergreen Privacy Screens
Choosing between Eagleston Holly and Nellie R. Stevens for your Sugar Land privacy screen? After 30+ years installing privacy trees throughout Fort Bend County, I'll show you exactly which one works best for your yard, soil, and budget. Learn about growth rates, maintenance needs, spacing requirements, and why these two evergreen hollies outperform every other privacy tree in Houston's Zone 9 climate.
💥 Houston Weeds Got You Beat? Here's How to Win the Battle for Your Lawn
If your St. Augustine lawn feels like it’s fighting back, you’re not alone. Learn how to tackle Houston’s most common lawn problems—doveweed, brown patch, and shade—with expert organic solutions from Garden Guy.
🌿 How Often Should I Water My Lawn in Houston—and How Deep?
Wondering how often to water your Houston lawn? Todd Farber, the Garden Guy, explains how to water deeply, prevent lawn disease, and keep your St. Augustine grass healthy through Houston’s long, hot summer
🌿 Introducing: Search Ask Garden Guy — Find Houston Gardening Answers Instantly!
Find local Houston and Sugar Land gardening advice fast with our new Search Ask Garden Guy tool! Type any keyword — like hibiscus, mulch, or lawn care — and instantly explore Todd Farber’s expert answers, Houston garden tips, and landscaping advice for Gulf Coast homeowners.
🌿 How to Protect Tropical Hibiscus from Freezing Temperatures on the Texas Gulf Coast
Gulf Coast gardeners — learn how to protect tropical hibiscus from cold and freezing temperatures with Todd Farber’s simple winter care tips. Includes container and mulch methods for Houston, Sugar Land, and Livingston gardens.
Shadow Creek Ranch Front Yard
Garden Guy replaced the red mulch with rich, natural hardwood mulch and added fresh color, balanced plantings, and crisp edges for a timeless look that complements this Pearland home’s brick and stone exterior. Pearland landscaper Garden Guy delivers the curb appeal here.
Front Yard Refresh in Woodstream, Sugar Land
A tired Woodstream front yard got a fresh new look with defined beds, rich mulch, and lush plantings. See how Garden Guy transformed overgrown roots and bare patches into a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape that enhances this Sugar Land home’s curb appeal.
How to Route Gutter Water 10 Feet Away from Your House (Houston Drainage Advice)
Got new gutters? Make sure that rainwater doesn’t end up back at your foundation. In this Houston homeowner Q&A, Garden Guy explains how to route gutter water a full 10 feet away from your Houston house — including slope tips, durable product options, and a simple way to protect your home during heavy downpours.