The Dirt from Garden Guy
Join the Texas Lawn Nerd™ community here!
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.
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!
Stop Planting Your Plants Too Deep — Here’s the Right Way (Houston Edition)
Most Houston homeowners plant incorrectly — fix it in 5 steps. Learn how wide to dig, how deep to plant, how to loosen roots, and how to water so plants thrive.
🎄 Gift Yourself a Holiday Home Makeover: Best Plants to Install Now in Houston (Zone 9a)
Planting season in Houston isn’t spring — it’s now. Cooler air and warm soil help plants establish strong roots before summer heat returns. Discover the best freeze-resistant flowers, shrubs, and trees to install this holiday season and download our free Holiday Planting Guide (with a $250 project coupon inside).
Best Perennials for Houston (Updated 2025 Guide)
Struggling to figure out what actually grows in Houston’s heat, humidity, and unpredictable freezes? This updated 2025 guide highlights the best proven perennials for Houston yards—plus planting tips, watering advice, and a free downloadable plant list.
Best Privacy Trees for Sugar Land: Expert Guide to Evergreen Privacy Screens
Choosing between Eagleston Holly and Nellie R. Stevens for your Sugar Land privacy screen? After 30+ years installing privacy trees throughout Fort Bend County, I'll show you exactly which one works best for your yard, soil, and budget. Learn about growth rates, maintenance needs, spacing requirements, and why these two evergreen hollies outperform every other privacy tree in Houston's Zone 9 climate.
💥 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! 🌿