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 1/5/26 Sabrina Farber 1/5/26

Can You Prune in January in Sugar Land? Here's What You Need to Know

Houston's beloved Randy Lemmon taught us to wait on winter pruning. Here's the Sugar Land-specific timing guide every homeowner needs—plus what you CAN safely prune in January from Todd Farber, Garden Guy.

Sabrina Farber 1/4/26 Sabrina Farber 1/4/26

DON'T Fertilize Your Sugar Land Lawn Yet (Even If You're Itching To)

Don't waste money fertilizing dormant grass! Learn when to ACTUALLY feed your Sugar Land lawn (hint: not until March). Randy Lemmon's wisdom + Texas A&M science inside from Todd Farber, Garden Guy.

Sabrina Farber 1/2/26 Sabrina Farber 1/2/26

Your Complete Vegetable Gardening Guide for Sugar Land, Richmond & Katy

Why do tomatoes die every July in Sugar Land? This free vegetable gardening guide reveals the 3 secrets to year-round harvests in Fort Bend County's unique climate. Month-by-month planting calendars, clay soil solutions, and 30+ years of local expertise. Sugar Land Planting Guide Inside!

Sabrina Farber 12/31/25 Sabrina Farber 12/31/25

Houston's Temperature Rollercoaster: What Your Sugar Land Yard Needs When We Go From 30s to 80s in a Week

Houston temps swinging from 30s to 80s this week? Learn what to do (and what NOT to do) to protect your Sugar Land yard. Plus get our free checklist!

Sabrina Farber 12/13/25 Sabrina Farber 12/13/25

GARDEN GUY'S FREEZE SURVIVAL GUIDE Protect Your Sugar Land & Houston Landscape

Houston, a freeze is coming. In February 2021, Sugar Land neighborhoods lost 60% of their plants overnight—some homeowners lost $20,000 in landscaping. The difference between survival and devastation? Preparation. This comprehensive guide gives you exact kill temperatures for ixora, hibiscus, and plumbago, plus Todd's 48-hour action plan to protect your landscape. Don't repeat the mistakes of 2021. Download your free guide now.

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

Is Your Pine Tree Dying from the Top Down? Here's What's Really Happening

When Eric sent us photos of his pine tree, he hoped for good news. The brown crown and pitch bleeding told a different story—pine bark beetles had already won. Here's what every Houston homeowner needs to know about spotting the warning signs before it's too late.

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!

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