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

Just Say No to Dyed Mulch — And Please Stop Making Mulch Volcanoes

Dyed mulch and mulch volcanoes can damage your landscaping, stress your plants, and harm trees over time. Garden Guy explains what to use instead in Houston and Sugar Land landscapes.

Sabrina Farber 12/13/25 Sabrina Farber 12/13/25

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.

Sabrina Farber 12/3/25 Sabrina Farber 12/3/25

🐾 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.

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 11/10/25 Sabrina Farber 11/10/25

🌿 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.

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

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.

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 9/18/25 Sabrina Farber 9/18/25

🌿 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

Sabrina Farber 5/20/25 Sabrina Farber 5/20/25

🌿 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.

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! ✨

Houston Garden Help

Ask Garden Guy