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.
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🌿 Get plant help that actually works in Texas.
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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.
🐾 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.
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!
🌿 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.
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.
🌿 September Makeover in Sweetwater, Sugar Land
Discover how a professional Houston landscaping makeover transformed this Sugar Land front yard. With stone-edged garden beds, hardy Texas perennials, and colorful seasonal flowers, this curb appeal upgrade shows the best plants and design ideas for Houston homeowners
🌿 Garden Guy Makeover of the Week: Sharpstown Edition!
This Sharpstown landscape makeover by Garden Guy turned a tired front yard into a colorful, low-maintenance showpiece! Designed by Aggie Horticulturist Todd Farber, it features layered beds, vibrant blooms, and curb appeal that grows better with time.
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.
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! ✨
Before & After: A Stunning Landscape Transformation in Lexington Settlement, Missouri City, Texas
One year ago, this Lexington Settlement yard in Missouri City, Texas was full of untapped potential. Today, it’s a thriving, colorful landscape with defined beds, layered plantings, and year-round curb appeal. See how a thoughtful design and a little time made all the difference! 🌿
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
A Front Yard Transformation in Sienna Village of Anderson Springs
From Sparse to Stunning: A Front Yard Makeover in Sienna Village
This front yard in Sienna Village of Anderson Springs needed a refresh, and we delivered! With defined garden beds, layered plant selections, and fresh mulch, we turned a struggling landscape into a lush and inviting entrance.
See the before & after photos and discover how the right landscaping can enhance curb appeal and add lasting beauty.
📍 Serving Sugar Land, Houston & Beyond!
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Why Cleyera is the Ultimate Shrub for Houston & Sugar Land Landscapes 🌿✨
Looking for a low-maintenance, heat-tolerant shrub that thrives in Houston and Sugar Land? 🌿 Cleyera is a Garden Guy favorite for its evergreen beauty, drought resistance, and versatility—perfect for privacy hedges, foundation plantings, or statement greenery. Discover why Aggie Horticulturist Todd Farber has trusted this shrub for 30+ years in Texas landscapes! 🌱✨ #HoustonLandscaping #GardenGuy #CleyeraShrub
Lack of Curb Appeal? This Easy Planting Trick Could Help!
Lack of Curb Appeal? This Easy Planting Trick Could Help! 🌿✨
Does your yard feel flat, unbalanced, or lifeless? Many homeowners unknowingly make a common landscaping mistake that leaves their front yard looking scattered and disconnected. But there’s a simple fix—The Rule of Threes!
By planting in groups of three (or other odd numbers), you can instantly create a fuller, more cohesive, and professionally designed look without extra effort. Want to learn how to apply this trick in your Houston landscape? Read on for expert tips—and grab your FREE plant guide! 👇
Things No One Tells You About the Best Flowering Shrubs for Houston Landscaping
Things No One Tells You About the Best Flowering Shrubs for Houston Landscaping
Most Houston homeowners know they need heat-tolerant, drought-resistant plants—but what no one tells you is that the right flowering shrubs can transform your yard into a vibrant, low-maintenance paradise. From the hummingbird-magnet Firebush to the overlooked Plumbago with its rare sky-blue blooms, these shrubs thrive in Houston’s climate while adding year-round color and wildlife appeal.
Want the full list? Download our free guide: "The Best Flowering Shrubs for Houston Landscaping" and start planning your dream landscape today!