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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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.
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.
🌿 How to Protect Tropical Hibiscus from Freezing Temperatures on the Texas Gulf Coast
Gulf Coast gardeners — learn how to protect tropical hibiscus from cold and freezing temperatures with Todd Farber’s simple winter care tips. Includes container and mulch methods for Houston, Sugar Land, and Livingston gardens.
Protect Your Plants: Cold Front & Extreme Cold Watch for Houston! ❄️
❄️ Houston Cold Front Alert! Freezing temperatures and strong winds are on the way—is your landscape ready? 🌿 Protect your plants, palms, and tropicals from freeze damage with expert tips from Todd Farber, Aggie Horticulturist & Founder of Garden Guy. Learn the right way to cover plants, insulate palms, and safeguard delicate tropicals before the cold hits!
Best Freeze-Resistant Shrubs for Houston: Expert Guide from a Texas A&M Horticulturist
Tired of replacing shrubs after every Houston freeze? 🌿 Discover the 9 best cold-hardy, freeze-resistant shrubs proven to survive Houston's unpredictable winters—from the devastating 2021 freeze to sudden cold snaps. Texas A&M Aggie Horticulturist Todd Farber shares 30+ years of local expertise on native and adapted evergreens that thrive in Zone 9 heat AND freezing temps. Plus: 4 popular shrubs to avoid and expert freeze protection tips. Download your free printable guide!
Garden Guy’s Complete Guide to Covering & Prepping Plants for the Upcoming Freeze in Houston 🥶🌿
Houston, you’re prepping for a freeze wrong! ❄️🚨 Don’t let this last cold snap damage your plants—cover them the right way! 🌿 From tropicals to houseplants, Aggie Horticulturist Todd Farber shares expert tips to protect your garden and get ready for spring! 🌸☀️ #FreezeProtection #HoustonGardening #GardenGuy
What to Prune After a Freeze: Garden Guy’s Tips for Houston Homeowners
Wondering what to do with your freeze-damaged plants in Houston? 🌱 Discover expert tips from Garden Guy on what to prune (and what not to prune) after a freeze. Learn how to care for tropicals, perennials, and woody plants, and get practical advice for post-freeze recovery. Plus, share your plant photos for free advice! Let’s bring your garden back to life. 💚
Quick Guide: Post-Snowfall Landscaping Tips for Houston
Snowfall in Houston can be tough on your garden, but recovery is possible! Learn expert tips from Aggie Horticulturist Todd Farber on how to assess damage, care for your plants, and protect your landscape for future freezes. Your Houston garden can thrive again with patience and the right steps!
Stop Doing This! The Garden Guy’s Warning for Houston Gardeners
Stop Doing This After a Freeze! Garden Guy’s Warning for Houston Gardeners
After a freeze, rushing to prune, fertilize, or uncover your plants can do more harm than good. Many plants might appear damaged, but with patience and the right steps, they can recover. Learn the biggest post-freeze mistakes to avoid and how to give your Houston garden the best chance to thrive again! 🌱
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Steps to Care for Your Houston Plants After a Freeze
Steps to Care for Your Houston Plants After a Freeze
Houston’s unpredictable winters can leave homeowners concerned about their plants after a freeze. In this guide, Aggie Horticulturist Todd Farber explains how freezing temperatures affect plants, how to identify frost damage, and the essential steps to help your garden recover.
Key takeaways include:
Recognizing frost damage on leaves, stems, and roots.
Avoiding premature pruning and waiting for signs of new growth.
Using mulch, careful watering, and light fertilization to support recovery.
Protecting vulnerable plants like tropicals and perennials while planning ahead with cold-hardy species.
For expert tips and personalized advice to restore your landscaping, contact Garden Guy today and let’s get your garden thriving again!
Post-Snowfall Landscaping Tips Houston
Post-Snowfall Landscaping Tips for Houston
By Todd Farber, Aggie Horticulturist. Snowfall in Houston is a rare event, but when it happens, it can leave many homeowners wondering how to care for their landscapes afterward. While the sight of snow may be beautiful, it can be hard on plants that aren’t accustomed to cold weather. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help your landscape recover after a snowfall.
Why plastic damages plants
When a freeze is in the forecast, many gardeners scramble to protect their plants, and one of the first materials they grab is often plastic. While it might seem like an easy and effective option, using plastic as a freeze covering can actually harm your plants rather than help them. Let’s break down why this happens and what you should use instead.
The Problem with Plastic and covering Houston Landscaping in freezes. Plastic Traps Moisture! Plastic is a non-breathable material, meaning it holds in moisture. When placed over plants, the moisture in the air condenses on the inside of the plastic. As temperatures drop, this moisture can freeze directly on the plant’s leaves, stems, and buds. This creates frost damage—the very thing you were trying to prevent!