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.

Sabrina Farber 1/5/26 Sabrina Farber 1/5/26

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.

Sabrina Farber 12/31/25 Sabrina Farber 12/31/25

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!

Sabrina Farber 12/6/25 Sabrina Farber 12/6/25

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.

Sabrina Farber 12/1/25 Sabrina Farber 12/1/25

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!

Sabrina Farber 11/15/25 Sabrina Farber 11/15/25

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.

Sabrina Farber 11/5/25 Sabrina Farber 11/5/25

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.

Sabrina Farber 8/22/25 Sabrina Farber 8/22/25

Beautiful Plants for a Bird-Friendly Garden in Houston (Zone 9a)

Turn your Houston garden into a bird haven with beautiful, low-maintenance plants like salvia, Turk’s cap, and American beautyberry. These choices add color, texture, and year-round food sources for hummingbirds and songbirds.

Sabrina Farber 4/2/25 Sabrina Farber 4/2/25

Landscaping for Homeowners: Sugar Creek Sugar Land Front Yard Makeover

We refreshed this classic Sugar Creek front yard with structured garden beds, evergreen plants, and a graceful brick walkway—creating a clean, low-maintenance landscape that boosts curb appeal and grows more beautiful over time.

Sabrina Farber 3/29/25 Sabrina Farber 3/29/25

Total Front Yard & Side Yard Landscaping Renovation in Commonwealth Estates, Sugar Land, Texas

Commonwealth Estates Front Yard Makeover: A Stunning Transformation- When a gorgeous home in Commonwealth Estates needed a fresh new look, Garden Guy stepped in to bring structure, color, and lasting beauty to the landscape. By redefining garden beds, enhancing plant selections, and refreshing the side yard, we created a cohesive and welcoming outdoor space.

Todd Farber, Texas A&M horticulture graduate and expert landscaper since 1991, designed a plan tailored to Houston’s climate, incorporating a variety of perennials, shrubs, and structural elements. The result? A landscape that complements the home’s stately architecture and thrives year-round.

✨ See the full transformation and explore the materials used! ✨

Sabrina Farber 3/13/25 Sabrina Farber 3/13/25

Sweetwater Landscaping Makeover: Fresh Curb Appeal with Smart Plant Choices

Garden Guy just completed a stunning landscaping makeover in Sweetwater, Sugar Land! 🌿✨ This refreshed front yard features drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plants with vibrant seasonal blooms and structured evergreens. See how we transformed this space with layered plantings, natural stone edging, and a design that will grow better with time. Check out the full project and get inspired for your own yard!

Sabrina Farber 3/10/25 Sabrina Farber 3/10/25

Sweetwater Sugar Land Landscaping: Garden Guy’s Top Plant Picks

Garden Guy, Todd Farber, is transforming a front yard in Sweetwater, Sugar Land this week and sharing his top plant selections for a low-maintenance, beautiful landscape. From the drought-tolerant Aztec Grass to the vibrant blooms of Encore Azaleas, these plants are handpicked to thrive in Houston's climate. 🌿🌸

Want the full plant list with care tips? Read more & download the free guide! ⬇️

Sabrina Farber 3/8/25 Sabrina Farber 3/8/25

From Outdated to Outstanding—A Sugar Creek Landscape Makeover

Stuck in the 1980s! This Sugar Creek home had an outdated landscape with overgrown dwarf yaupon hollies, compacted soil, and zero curb appeal. We gave it a fresh, modern update with low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants and a polished new design. See the full transformation! 🌿✨ #HoustonLandscaping #BeforeAndAfter

Houston Garden Help

Ask Garden Guy