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.
📸 See real before-and-after projects.
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Trusted advice from Todd Farber—Houston's go-to horticulturist.
3 Minutes of Houston Landscaping Wisdom for Homeowners: Does Spitting on Seeds Make Plants Align with Your DNA? 🌿🧬
Excerpt:
Is there any truth to the claim that spitting on seeds can make plants align with your DNA? 🌿🧬 Some believe saliva can communicate with plants, tailoring nutrients to the grower, but science says otherwise! Instead of relying on myths, focus on proven techniques like soil health, smart watering, and companion planting for a thriving Houston garden. What do you think? Have you heard this myth before? Let’s chat in the comments! 🌱👇 Read more.
How to Keep Leaf-Footed Beetles Off Your Tomatoes
Excerpt:
Leaf-footed beetles can be a serious nuisance in the garden, especially when they target your prized tomatoes. If hand-picking them off seems like a losing battle, don’t worry—there are several effective strategies to prevent and control them. From using row covers and trap cropping to encouraging natural predators and organic sprays, these methods will help you keep your tomatoes safe. Learn how to protect your plants and keep your garden thriving. Read more from Aggie Horticulturist, Todd Farber | Garden Guy.
🌿 FREE Houston Landscaping Cheat Sheet! 🌱
🌿 Struggling with Houston’s tough gardening conditions? Get Garden Guy’s FREE Landscaping Cheat Sheet—packed with top drought-tolerant, shade-loving, and deer-resistant plants plus expert soil & watering tips! #HoustonLandscaping #GardenGuy
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!
🌿 List of Freeze-Resistant Shrubs for Houston from a Horticulturist
Want a landscape that survives Houston’s unpredictable freezes? ❄️ Every year, temperatures dip into the 20s, leaving many homeowners frustrated with dead or damaged plants. Todd Farber, Houston native and Texas A&M horticulture graduate (’91), shares the best freeze-resistant shrubs that can handle both Houston’s heat and sudden cold snaps. Skip the guesswork and plant smart—check out our top picks! 🌿👇
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
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
These 5 Landscaping Tricks Can Transform Your Houston Yard in Just One Week – Says Aggie Horticulturist Todd Farber
Want a stunning Houston yard in just one week? 🌿 Todd Farber, Aggie Horticulturist and founder of Garden Guy, shares 5 quick landscaping tricks that will instantly upgrade your outdoor space! From refreshing mulch to adding seasonal color and landscape lighting, these simple changes can transform your yard fast. Ready to see the difference? Read more and start your yard makeover today! 💡🌸 #HoustonLandscaping #GardenGuy #ToddFarber
Oak Wilt Texas: What Homeowners Need to Know 🌳
🚨 Texas Oak Trees Are Dying—And Your Yard Could Be Next!
Oak wilt is spreading fast across Texas, killing trees in neighborhoods like yours. This deadly fungal disease can wipe out entire oak populations before homeowners even realize what's happening. Learn the shocking signs, how to stop the spread, and what you MUST do to protect your trees before it's too late! 🌳⚠️ #SaveTheOaks #HoustonTrees
✂️ Are you accidentally harming your plants?
✂️ Think pruning is just about cutting back branches? Think again! Improper pruning at the wrong time or in the wrong way can weaken your plants, reduce blooms, and even lead to costly replacements. In Sugar Land’s climate, timing and technique matter more than you think! Before you grab those shears, learn the biggest mistakes DIY landscapers make—and how to avoid them. Or better yet, let Garden Guy handle it for you! 🌿 Call today for expert pruning that keeps your landscape thriving!
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!
3 Subtle Traits Of A Truly Overcrowded Home Garden 🌿
Is your home garden feeling more like a jungle than a peaceful retreat? 🌿🚫 Overcrowding is a common yet subtle issue that can turn a once-beautiful landscape into a chaotic, high-maintenance headache. As a Sugar Land landscaper, I’ve seen firsthand how poor spacing and cluttered layouts can affect plant health and curb appeal.
In this post, I’ll share three subtle signs that your garden might be overcrowded—and simple solutions to restore balance. Whether you're dealing with struggling plants, visual clutter, or excessive upkeep, these expert tips will help you reclaim a beautiful, stress-free outdoor space.
Read on to find out if your Sugar Land garden is suffering from overcrowding and how to fix it! 🌱✨
Houston Lawn Fertilization Guide: Best Times & Tips for a Lush Yard! 🌱🌿
Wondering when to fertilize your lawn and shrubs in Houston? 🌱🏡 This guide breaks down the best times to feed your grass and plants for a lush, healthy yard! From spring pre-emergents to fall winterizers, get expert tips to keep your landscape thriving year-round. Plus, don’t forget to water after fertilizing! 🚿💚 Need more garden advice? Contact Garden Guy.
Sago Palms Make Your Yard Look Dated (And They Might Kill Your Dog) 🏡☠️
Sago palms might look tropical, but they’re outdated, overused, and straight-up dangerous! 🚫🌴 These spiky plants don’t just make your yard look stuck in the past—they can stab your guests, take over your landscape, and even poison your pets. 🏡☠️ Instead of dealing with a high-maintenance, hazardous plant, why not upgrade to something safer, sleeker, and more stylish? 🌿⚠️ Discover the best alternatives to sago palms that will keep your yard modern, pet-friendly, and hassle-free.
Read more to find out why it’s time to ditch the sago! 🚀
Stacy’s Freeze Recovery Questions: Garden Guy’s Expert Answers 1/26
Wondering how to care for freeze-damaged plants in Houston? 🌱 Garden Guy answers Stacy’s questions about pruning hibiscus, lantana, and other plants after a cold snap. Get practical freeze recovery tips, including when to prune, how to protect roots, and why patience is key. 📸 Send us your plant photos for free advice and start reviving your garden today!
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. 💚
When to Start Gardening in Houston: Expert Advice from Garden Guy
When to Start Gardening in Houston: Expert Advice from Garden Guy
Houston’s mild winters and long summers offer year-round gardening opportunities, but timing is key for success. February is ideal for planting trees, shrubs, and flowers, as cooler temperatures and natural rainfall help plants establish strong roots before the summer heat.
🌱 Best Planting Window – February is perfect for installing trees like Live Oak and Crepe Myrtle, hardy shrubs like Yaupon Holly, and colorful flowers like Snapdragons.
☀️ Why February Works – Cooler weather reduces transplant stress, while winter rainfall provides natural irrigation, ensuring healthy growth.
🌟 Pro Tips – Choose freeze-resistant plants, protect against occasional frosts, and enrich soil for long-term success.
✅ Garden Guy’s 90-Day Guarantee – Every plant installed comes with a guarantee, so you can plant with confidence.
Get expert guidance and transform your yard today with Garden Guy! 🌿 #HoustonGardening #GardenGuy
Garden Guy’s FREE Guide: ‘Top 10 Drought-Tolerant Plants for Houston!’
Transform your Houston yard into a drought-tolerant paradise with Garden Guy’s FREE guide! Discover the top 10 heat-tough, low-maintenance plants, along with expert tips and exclusive favorites from 33 years of landscaping experience. Perfect for Houston homeowners!
Is Your Plant Alive? Learn How to Scratch Test with Garden Guy!
Learn how to scratch test your Houston plants to check for signs of life after freezing weather. Expert tips from Aggie Horticulturist Todd Farber to keep your Houston garden thriving.