The Dirt from Garden Guy
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Todd Farber brings over 33 years of local horticulture experience—sharing no-fluff tips for your Houston lawn, garden, and landscape.
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Trusted advice from Todd Farber—Houston's go-to horticulturist.
The Real Reason Your Weed Killer Is Failing (It's Not the Herbicide)
You've sprayed the same weeds three times. Nothing's dying. Before you blame the herbicide — it's probably your water. Fort Bend County's hard water causes spray to bead up and roll right off the leaf before it ever absorbs. Texas A&M horticulturist Todd Farber explains the one ingredient that fixes everything.
How to Prune Peggy Martin Roses in Houston: The Complete Guide for Sugar Land & Fort Bend County Gardens
Learn when and how to prune Peggy Martin roses in Houston for maximum spring blooms. Local timing guide for Sugar Land and Fort Bend County gardeners.
Houston Lawn Watering — The Complete Technical Guide
You're watering concrete, not your lawn. Most Houston irrigation systems waste water and create runoff because they're programmed wrong for our clay soil. Learn the Cycle & Soak method that actually works—plus get the complete free guide with controller setup instructions, seasonal calendar, and troubleshooting tips from Aggie Horticulturist Todd Farber.
Houston & Sugar Land Pollinator Garden (Zone 9a/9b): My short “actually works here” plant list
Want more bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds in your Houston or Sugar Land yard? After 33+ years working in Houston soils, Texas A&M horticulturist Todd Farber shares a short, proven plant list for Zone 9a/9b that actually thrives here. These pollinator favorites are easy to find locally at Enchanted Gardens, Joshua’s Native Plants, and Buchanan’s—and they work in real Texas heat, not just on paper.
How to Get Rid of Nutgrass in Houston & Sugar Land Lawns
Learn how to eliminate nutgrass from your Houston or Sugar Land lawn using Sedgehammer herbicide. Step-by-step guide including timing, application tips, and why pulling or weed-and-feed products don't work on nutsedge.
Virginia Buttonweed in Houston & Sugar Land Lawns (And How to Actually Control It)
Virginia buttonweed is one of the most frustrating weeds in Houston and Sugar Land lawns. It spreads by above-ground runners, not mower clippings, and sedge products won’t touch it. In this guide, Garden Guy explains why weekly spraying fails, what actually works, and how to control Virginia buttonweed safely in St. Augustine and Bermuda grass using the right product, proper spot-spraying, and patience.
Raised Bed Vegetable Gardening for Sugar Land and Fort Bend County: The Complete Guide
Learn how to grow vegetables in raised beds and containers in Sugar Land and Fort Bend County. Get our free starter kit with planting calendar, soil mix recipe, and top 10 easiest vegetables for Houston's Zone 9 climate.
Don't Cut Back "Dead" Plants After a Freeze—Wait Until Valentine's Day to Assess the Damage
If you're staring at brown, crispy plants in your Sugar Land yard right now, your first instinct is probably to grab the pruners and start cleaning up. Don't do it yet. Cutting back freeze-damaged plants too early is the number one post-freeze mistake we see in Fort Bend County—and it costs homeowners hundreds (sometimes thousands) in unnecessary plant replacements. Many plants that look 100% dead right now will sprout brand new growth from the base in late February or March. Mark your calendar: February 14th is your pruning date. Until then, those "dead" leaves are actually protecting the living core of your plant. Plants like esperanza, plumbago, and Mexican heather are master "possum players"—they look like graveyard plants but come roaring back from the roots once soil temperatures warm up. Patience now = money saved later.
Best Fruit Trees for Houston & Sugar Land: 2026 Enchanted Gardens Guide
Shopping for fruit trees at Enchanted Gardens or other Houston nurseries? This guide reveals which low-chill varieties actually produce in Zone 9a. Texas A&M-trained horticulturist Todd Farber breaks down the best apples, peaches, Asian pears, figs, and more for Sugar Land, Missouri City, and Fort Bend County—plus the #1 mistake that keeps trees from fruiting.
Can You Prune in January in Sugar Land? Here's What You Need to Know
Houston's beloved Randy Lemmon taught us to wait on winter pruning. Here's the Sugar Land-specific timing guide every homeowner needs—plus what you CAN safely prune in January from Todd Farber, Garden Guy.
DON'T Fertilize Your Sugar Land Lawn Yet (Even If You're Itching To)
Don't waste money fertilizing dormant grass! Learn when to ACTUALLY feed your Sugar Land lawn (hint: not until March). Randy Lemmon's wisdom + Texas A&M science inside from Todd Farber, Garden Guy.
Your Complete Vegetable Gardening Guide for Sugar Land, Richmond & Katy
Why do tomatoes die every July in Sugar Land? This free vegetable gardening guide reveals the 3 secrets to year-round harvests in Fort Bend County's unique climate. Month-by-month planting calendars, clay soil solutions, and 30+ years of local expertise. Sugar Land Planting Guide Inside!
Houston's Temperature Rollercoaster: What Your Sugar Land Yard Needs When We Go From 30s to 80s in a Week
Houston temps swinging from 30s to 80s this week? Learn what to do (and what NOT to do) to protect your Sugar Land yard. Plus get our free checklist!
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.