June 30, 2011

Here's Randy's Weekly KTRH GardenLine Tip:

Issue #218

Back when GardenLine was on our sister station KPRC (now The 950), I used to start each show with something like, "Welcome to the most interactive gardening program of its kind."

I was looking through an old monologue from about seven years ago, just sort of reminiscing, and I realized that, yes — this is the most interactive gardening show of its kind, STILL!!! I say that because we're on the air more hours than any other show of its kind in Texas, because of these weekly email tips, and because of www.RandyLemmon.com and www.KTRH.com. At the websites, there are tip sheets on a plethora of topics I've covered over the years. Plus, there are the magazines, newsletters, my weekly Baytown Sun column, and the three books I've authored on gardening.

You'll notice that, outside the live broadcasts, most of what I do is the written word - especially if you add in all the email questions I answer. That's a lot of writing. But I love doing it, because it means lots of research time — to study all sorts of situations so I know exactly what I'm talking about.

I point all this out because a recent email challenged my integrity regarding this job I love. Basically, they said I didn't know what the hell I was talking about, and that I'm just a shill for companies that pay me to say nice things about them. I'm pretty sure it's because I exposed him for ripping off customers with dyed mulch, but that's an email tip for another day.

I am, and always have been, an "information specialist." I've always felt it was my job to share with you as much information as I can on gardening issues that are important to us in Southeast Texas. I relish that job.

I was hired by the radio station to be the source of gardening info nearly 16 years ago. Yes, I do endorse products and services I believe in. But my sincere promise about endorsements is that I first have to truly believe in the product or service. Second, I will never let my show or writing be just a big advertisement for my business or any business I'm vested in. And third, I will never let any advertiser dictate my advice.

My main interest is, has always been, and will always be sharing the best possible information on gardening. Be it organic or inorganic; natural or synthetic. If I didn't have a clue what I was talking about, I think it would have shown by now.

I will always promise to research, study, write and disseminate all the best information concerning gardening for this region - the good, the bad and the ugly. I love doing this job, and I hope it shows in my broadcasts and my writings.

I take the objectiveness and the need to share info with you very seriously, especially because I've never wanted GardenLine to become an infomercial. There was another Houston gardening show years ago that did just that. And I swore that I would never let my show benefit my own company — a landscape consulting business. I have never given out the phone number on the air to solicit business. There are a lot of reasons why I don't, but suffice it to say that I don't ever want that to be a conflict of interest. There are plenty of other supposed gardening shows on the air these days that are nothing but infomercials for landscaping companies.

I hope I'm really helping you solve gardening problems with solid information. Part of that is endorsing companies I think will do you a great service or provide a good product. Have we ever been burned? Absolutely! Have I pulled endorsements of products or services because they burned you? Absolutely! I'm never going to continue taking advertising money from unscrupulous, unethical or unresponsive companies. In fact, we turn away potential endorsement ads frequently. Not just because we are sold out of advertising time, but because we did our due-diligence.

When you get right down to it, the beauty of GardenLine for me, for you, and for the companies, products and services I recommend, is all about relationships. Relationships I can trust. Relationships that we can build and grow with.

So, did I take that email swipe personally? Yes, and no. Normally, I ignore such messages, because people who send nasty emails are just hiding behind their computer because they don't have the spine or integrity to confront the person they are attacking in person. But what it really did was remind me why I love doing this job so much.

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