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.
🌿 Get plant help that actually works in Texas.
📻 Skip the static. Get answers anytime.
Trusted advice from Todd Farber—Houston's go-to horticulturist.
💥 Houston Weeds Got You Beat? Here's How to Win the Battle for Your Lawn
If your St. Augustine lawn feels like it’s fighting back, you’re not alone. Learn how to tackle Houston’s most common lawn problems—doveweed, brown patch, and shade—with expert organic solutions from Garden Guy.
🌿 How Often Should I Water My Lawn in Houston—and How Deep?
Wondering how often to water your Houston lawn? Todd Farber, the Garden Guy, explains how to water deeply, prevent lawn disease, and keep your St. Augustine grass healthy through Houston’s long, hot summer
🌿 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.
🌿 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.
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.
How to Route Gutter Water 10 Feet Away from Your House (Houston Drainage Advice)
Got new gutters? Make sure that rainwater doesn’t end up back at your foundation. In this Houston homeowner Q&A, Garden Guy explains how to route gutter water a full 10 feet away from your Houston house — including slope tips, durable product options, and a simple way to protect your home during heavy downpours.
Compost Help in Houston
Compost troubles in Houston? Garden Guy Todd Farber explains why bugs, ants, and even palmetto roaches in your compost pile aren’t always bad — and how a few simple tweaks (like balancing browns and greens) can give you rich, healthy compost for your yard.
🌿 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
Beautiful Plants for a Bird-Friendly Garden in Houston (Zone 9a)
Turn your Houston garden into a bird haven with beautiful, low-maintenance plants like salvia, Turk’s cap, and American beautyberry. These choices add color, texture, and year-round food sources for hummingbirds and songbirds.
Backyard Landscaping Makeover in Sweetwater, Sugar Land TX
A classic Sugar Land backyard gets a fresh update with Texas sage, Encore azaleas, and star jasmine. See how Garden Guy replaced tired shrubs with a clean, low-maintenance design that adds color, structure, and curb appeal—all along the brick wall in Sweetwater.
How to Get Rid of Doveweed Without RoundUp
Discover how to get rid of doveweed in your Houston lawn without using RoundUp. Garden Guy Todd Farber shares natural, effective solutions for killing weeds and replanting with healthy sod.
Best Perennials for Houston: 15 Proven Winners for Our Hot, Humid Climate
Looking for plants that survive Houston heat, come back stronger each year, and bloom beautifully? Garden Guy’s Todd Farber shares his top 15 perennial picks for Houston landscapes—including low-maintenance favorites like Salvia, Lantana, and Yarrow. These tough performers are proven in Sugar Land and across Southeast Texas.
Before & After: A Poolside Landscaping Makeover in First Colony – Sugar Land, TX
Transform your Sugar Land yard into a neighborhood envy with expert landscaping from Ask Garden Guy! We create stunning outdoor spaces tailored to your needs, from drought-resistant gardens to vibrant flower beds. Struggling with shade or soil issues? Our proven solutions and plant recommendations will ensure your landscape thrives. Whether you desire a tranquil oasis or a lively entertaining area, we provide bold strategies to elevate your space. Don’t settle for ordinary—cultivate extraordinary! Contact Ask Garden Guy today and start your journey to a breathtaking landscape that makes your property stand out. Your perfect yard awaits!
A poolside garden in First Colony, Sugar Land got a fresh new look with a custom Garden Guy makeover. We reshaped beds, added Texas-tough plants, and created a lush, low-maintenance retreat perfect for relaxing and entertaining.
✨ Before & After: Front Yard Makeover in Bridlewood Estates, Richmond TX ✨
This Bridlewood Estates home in Richmond TX got a full front yard refresh from Garden Guy Landscaping. We replaced tired shrubs with native, low-maintenance plants and bold new bedlines—delivering curb appeal that thrives in Houston heat. See the before & after! 🌿
🌿 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! 🌿
Sweetwater Landscaping Makeover: Fresh Curb Appeal with Smart Plant Choices
Garden Guy just completed a stunning landscaping makeover in Sweetwater, Sugar Land! 🌿✨ This refreshed front yard features drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plants with vibrant seasonal blooms and structured evergreens. See how we transformed this space with layered plantings, natural stone edging, and a design that will grow better with time. Check out the full project and get inspired for your own yard!