Skip Richter has been named host of Houston’s Newstalk 740 KTRH's "Garden Line" weekend morning show starting February 25, 2023.
He takes over the hosting chair for the legendary Randy Lemmon, 61, who died January 4, 2023.
Since Lemmon's death, "The High Tech Texan" Michael Garfield from iHeart Houston sister-station 950 KPRC has been filling-in with Beverly Welch and Angela Chandler.
“We’re all still reeling from the sudden loss of Randy,” said Bryan Erickson, Director of AM Programming for iHeartMedia Houston in a statement. “This was a difficult search and we feel fortunate to have found Skip. Not only is he one of the most qualified horticulturists in Texas, he has the perfect ‘down home’ demeanor when it comes to helping listeners with their gardening issues.”
Richter received his master’s degree in Horticulture from Texas A&M University. He has worked with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service for 34 years in various counties across the state, including Montgomery, Travis, Harris and most recently Brazos, where he currently serves as a County Extension Agent in Horticulture.
He received the County Extension Agent Award from the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association in 2023 and was recently selected as a Regents Service Fellow by the Board of Regents for the Texas A&M University System.
"I'm excited to be hosting Garden Line and helping listeners have more bountiful gardens and beautiful landscapes," Richter added. "Randy was an old friend going back to college when we lived in the same dorm. We will all miss him, and I consider it an honor to carry on the Garden Line tradition."
He is a popular speaker for garden clubs, Master Gardener programs, and other gardening events across Texas. He has written numerous gardening articles for magazines and newspapers, including his weekly gardening column for The Eagle newspaper in Bryan/College Station. His “Gardening with Skip” YouTube channel features over 120 brief gardening videos.
Richter has gardened in the brush country of south Texas, the rocky hills of the Missouri Ozarks, the acid sands of the East Texas piney woods, the semi-arid climate and high pH soils of central Texas, and the humid, hot climate and black clays of southeast Texas.
He has hosted the "Garden Success with Skip Richter" radio show on KAMU 90.9 FM Bryan-College Station for more than eight years.
His book "Texas Month-by-Month Gardening: What to Do Each Month to Have A Beautiful Garden All Year" provides guidance on planting and caring for your garden and landscape every month of the year.
