Who is answering my gardening questions on Ask Garden Guy?

Todd Farber — a Texas A&M horticulture graduate and Houston native with 33 years of landscaping experience. He’s the trusted voice behind Ask Garden Guy, helping Houston and Sugar Land homeowners with real, local answers.

Is Ask Garden Guy related to GardenLine on KTRH?

We’re not affiliated with KTRH or GardenLine, but we’re proud to continue the spirit of helpful garden talk! Many former GardenLine listeners now use Ask Garden Guy to get timely advice without calling in or waiting on hold.

How does Ask Garden Guy work?

Just submit your question online—photos welcome—and you'll receive a real response from Garden Guy or our small Houston-based team. No bots, no scripts, just time-tested advice tailored to your yard.

Is there a fee to ask a question?

Nope. Ask Garden Guy is free. For personalized in-person consultations, our paid landscaping design team at Garden Guy is also available at gardenguy.com.

Are bugs in compost normal?

Yes! Bugs like wood roaches (palmetto bugs) and ants are common in compost piles. They help break down materials. To reduce them, keep your pile moist and add more greens.

What’s the best compost ratio for Houston yards?

Aim for 2 parts browns (dry leaves, pine needles) to 1 part greens (grass clippings, kitchen scraps, coffee grounds). This balance helps compost break down quickly.

Can I compost Bermuda grass?

Only if your compost pile reaches 140°F+. Otherwise, Bermuda runners can survive and regrow when you spread compost later.

What perennials grow best in Houston?

Texas sage, lantana, salvias, Gulf Coast muhly grass, drift roses, loropetalum, and Esperanza are consistently reliable performers in Houston's heat, humidity, and soil conditions.

When is the best time to plant perennials in Houston?

Fall and early spring are the best times to plant perennials in Houston because those seasons allow strong root development before summer heat arrives.

Do perennials survive Houston freezes?

Most Houston-friendly perennials survive freezes, but some go dormant. Avoid cutting back freeze-damaged plants until spring when new growth appears.

When should I apply pre-emergent in Houston?

Apply pre-emergent by February 1st, before soil temperatures consistently reach 55°F. That's the threshold at which warm-season weed seeds like crabgrass begin to germinate. Use a soil thermometer to confirm — once the soil hits 55°F, the window has closed.

When should I fertilize my St. Augustine lawn in Houston?

When the lawn tells you it's ready — not when the calendar does. Watch for nighttime temperatures above 55°F for at least 5 consecutive days and your grass actively greening with new growth. In Houston this typically happens between late March and early May, but it varies year to year.

When should I fertilize Bermuda grass in Houston?

When it's fully green and you've mowed it at least twice. Bermuda wakes up later than St. Augustine — usually late April or May in Houston, but a cold spring can push it later.

Do I need to add a surfactant to my weed killer?

Yes — always. A non-ionic surfactant helps herbicide spray stick to the waxy surface of weed leaves and penetrate the plant. Without it, much of your spray runs off and loses effectiveness.

Should I get a soil test for my Houston lawn?

Yes — especially if you've been fertilizing and still not seeing results. Houston clay varies yard to yard. A Texas A&M soil test tells you exactly what's missing before you spend more money on product.

Todd Farber, Aggie horticulturist, with Sabrina — Garden Guy

Houston Garden Help

Straight answers on lawns, plants, pests, and landscapes — from a real Houston horticulturist, not a search result.

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Since 1991 · Sugar Land · Missouri City · Greater Houston

Sabrina Farber 6/22/26 Sabrina Farber 6/22/26

Why Is My St. Augustine Turning Yellow This Summer? A Houston Diagnostic Guide

Yellow and tan patches spreading across your St. Augustine this summer in Houston ? Before you reach for fertilizer — which usually makes it worse — Garden Guy walks you through the five usual suspects: watering, chinch bugs, iron deficiency, gray leaf spot, and fertilizer burn, with the right fix for each.

Sabrina Farber 6/9/26 Sabrina Farber 6/9/26

St. Augustine Grass Seed Heads: What They Are, What They're Not, and How Your Lawn Actually Gets Thicker

Those little spiky stalks in your St. Augustine? They're seed heads — not weeds, not sedge, not crabgrass. Here's what they actually mean, why they won't reseed your lawn, and what really makes St. Augustine thicker.

Sabrina Farber 3/11/26 Sabrina Farber 3/11/26

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.

Sabrina Farber 2/13/26 Sabrina Farber 2/13/26

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.

Sabrina Farber 2/5/26 Sabrina Farber 2/5/26

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.

Sabrina Farber 2/3/26 Sabrina Farber 2/3/26

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.

Sabrina Farber 1/4/26 Sabrina Farber 1/4/26

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.