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.
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!
Best Practices for Freeze Cloth in Houston
Learn expert tips from Aggie Horticulturist Todd Farber on using freeze cloth to protect your shrubs and trees from Houston's unpredictable winter freezes. Read more for step-by-step guidance!
Winterizing landscapes in Houston
Winter in Houston doesn’t often bring heavy snow, but freezing rain and ice storms can still wreak havoc on our gardens. The weight of ice can break branches, damage shrubs, and leave your landscape struggling to recover in the spring. Protecting your shrubs and trees from ice damage is essential to keeping your garden healthy and thriving. Here are my expert tips for safeguarding your landscaping this winter.