Who is answering my gardening questions on Ask Garden Guy?

Todd Farber — a Texas A&M horticulture graduate and Houston native with 33 years of landscaping experience. He’s the trusted voice behind Ask Garden Guy, helping Houston and Sugar Land homeowners with real, local answers.

Is Ask Garden Guy related to GardenLine on KTRH?

We’re not affiliated with KTRH or GardenLine, but we’re proud to continue the spirit of helpful garden talk! Many former GardenLine listeners now use Ask Garden Guy to get timely advice without calling in or waiting on hold.

How does Ask Garden Guy work?

Just submit your question online—photos welcome—and you'll receive a real response from Garden Guy or our small Houston-based team. No bots, no scripts, just time-tested advice tailored to your yard.

Is there a fee to ask a question?

Nope. Ask Garden Guy is free. For personalized in-person consultations, our paid landscaping design team at Garden Guy is also available at gardenguy.com.

Are bugs in compost normal?

Yes! Bugs like wood roaches (palmetto bugs) and ants are common in compost piles. They help break down materials. To reduce them, keep your pile moist and add more greens.

What’s the best compost ratio for Houston yards?

Aim for 2 parts browns (dry leaves, pine needles) to 1 part greens (grass clippings, kitchen scraps, coffee grounds). This balance helps compost break down quickly.

Can I compost Bermuda grass?

Only if your compost pile reaches 140°F+. Otherwise, Bermuda runners can survive and regrow when you spread compost later.

What perennials grow best in Houston?

Texas sage, lantana, salvias, Gulf Coast muhly grass, drift roses, loropetalum, and Esperanza are consistently reliable performers in Houston's heat, humidity, and soil conditions.

When is the best time to plant perennials in Houston?

Fall and early spring are the best times to plant perennials in Houston because those seasons allow strong root development before summer heat arrives.

Do perennials survive Houston freezes?

Most Houston-friendly perennials survive freezes, but some go dormant. Avoid cutting back freeze-damaged plants until spring when new growth appears.

When should I apply pre-emergent in Houston?

Apply pre-emergent by February 1st, before soil temperatures consistently reach 55°F. That's the threshold at which warm-season weed seeds like crabgrass begin to germinate. Use a soil thermometer to confirm — once the soil hits 55°F, the window has closed.

When should I fertilize my St. Augustine lawn in Houston?

When the lawn tells you it's ready — not when the calendar does. Watch for nighttime temperatures above 55°F for at least 5 consecutive days and your grass actively greening with new growth. In Houston this typically happens between late March and early May, but it varies year to year.

When should I fertilize Bermuda grass in Houston?

When it's fully green and you've mowed it at least twice. Bermuda wakes up later than St. Augustine — usually late April or May in Houston, but a cold spring can push it later.

Do I need to add a surfactant to my weed killer?

Yes — always. A non-ionic surfactant helps herbicide spray stick to the waxy surface of weed leaves and penetrate the plant. Without it, much of your spray runs off and loses effectiveness.

Should I get a soil test for my Houston lawn?

Yes — especially if you've been fertilizing and still not seeing results. Houston clay varies yard to yard. A Texas A&M soil test tells you exactly what's missing before you spend more money on product.

Sabrina Farber 12/8/25 Sabrina Farber 12/8/25

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.

Sabrina Farber 12/6/25 Sabrina Farber 12/6/25

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.

Sabrina Farber 12/5/25 Sabrina Farber 12/5/25

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.

Sabrina Farber 12/4/25 Sabrina Farber 12/4/25

December Landscaping Checklist for Texas: Your Complete Guide

December is actually one of the BEST months for Texas landscaping. Get your complete guide on what to plant, prune, and protect this month—plus expert tips from 30+ years of experience caring for Texas landscapes.

Sabrina Farber 12/3/25 Sabrina Farber 12/3/25

🐾 Pet-Safe Plants for Houston Gardens & Homes

Houston's warm climate is perfect for lush landscaping, but not every plant is safe for curious pets. If you're a pet parent, you need to know which plants your furry friends can safely explore—and which ones to avoid. This comprehensive guide covers the best pet-safe plants that thrive in Houston's unique climate, from heat-loving landscape plants like Blue Daze and Mexican Heather to humidity-loving houseplants like Boston Ferns and Prayer Plants. You'll also learn which popular Houston plants are toxic to pets (looking at you, Azaleas and Sago Palms!) and get practical tips for creating a pet-friendly landscape that can handle Houston's weather AND your pet's playtime. Plus, sign up for our newsletter for a bonus entry into our Holiday Pet Photo Contest—win a $20 Amazon gift card! Whether you're redesigning your yard or adding houseplants, create a space where both you and your pets can thrive.

Sabrina Farber 12/1/25 Sabrina Farber 12/1/25

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!

Sabrina Farber 11/23/25 Sabrina Farber 11/23/25

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.

Sabrina Farber 11/17/25 Sabrina Farber 11/17/25

🎄 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).

Sabrina Farber 11/16/25 Sabrina Farber 11/16/25

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.

Sabrina Farber 11/15/25 Sabrina Farber 11/15/25

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.

Sabrina Farber 11/11/25 Sabrina Farber 11/11/25

💥 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.

Sabrina Farber 11/11/25 Sabrina Farber 11/11/25

🌿 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

Houston Garden Help

SORRY IN ADVANCE to Every Sugar Land Homeowner Who Doesn't Read This

Freeze-Proof Your Sienna, Telfair, or Sugar Creek Yard: Essential Lessons from the 2021 Texas Freeze

Which Trees Will Survive a Houston & Sugar Land Freeze?

December Landscaping Checklist for Texas: Your Complete Guide

🐾 Pet-Safe Plants for Houston Gardens & Homes

December Landscaping Checklist for Houston Homeowners: Your Complete Guide to Zone 9 Yard Maintenance

Stop Planting Your Plants Too Deep — Here’s the Right Way (Houston Edition)

🎄 Gift Yourself a Holiday Home Makeover: Best Plants to Install Now in Houston (Zone 9a)

Best Perennials for Houston (Updated 2025 Guide)

Best Privacy Trees for Sugar Land: Expert Guide to Evergreen Privacy Screens

💥 Houston Weeds Got You Beat? Here's How to Win the Battle for Your Lawn

🌿 How Often Should I Water My Lawn in Houston—and How Deep?

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