KLBJ's 'Gardening Naturually' Host John Dromgoole to Retire

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, February 7, 2019 | 12:00pm CT

John Dromgoole

After 38 years of sharing his passion and knowledge of organic gardening, John Dromgoole is retiring as host from "Gardening Naturally." The show began airing in in 1981 on NewsRadio KLBJ in Austim and has since become the longest running organic gardening talk show in the U.S. Dromgoole has cultivated his reputation as the foremost organic gardening expert in Austin by taking a non-chemical, environmentally sensitive approach to gardening, teaching about protecting the environment while enriching the soil to grow healthier plants.

"Gardening Naturally" airs both Saturdays from 9-11am and Sundays from 8-10am. The Saturday show is based on Dromgoole, along with co-host Jeff Ferris who joined the show in 2014, answering call-ins from listeners with their questions about problems with trees, shrubs, lawns, flowers and vegetable gardens. Prominent guests have included such organic gardening luminaries as Robert Rodale, Wallace Black Elk, John Jeavons, and astronaut Eugene Cernan.

The show will remain on-air in NewsRadio KLBJ with Jeff Ferris as host. John's current and continued focus will be on teaching long-time gardeners and gardeners new to our area how to create water-wise landscapes that can withstand Central Texas' frequent drought cycles.

"John is one of the original pioneers of the organic gardening movement that swept over America. His impact on protecting the environment is immeasurable," says NewsRadio KLBJ Program Director and host Mark Caesar. "He leaves a legacy that will benefit countless generations across Central Texas and America. Everyone who appreciates the beauty of nature should be grateful for John's legendary work."

John Dromgoole began his radio career in high school as an air talent in Laredo, TX. He continued at one of the Border Radio shows, "Sonidos de la Paz" (Sounds of Peace) in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico prior to attending college at Texas A & I where he studied Radio, Television and Film. In addition to hosting "Gardening Naturally" on NewsRadio KLBJ, he has also been a regular on Central Texas Gardener's "Backyard Basics" and "The Weekend Gardener" on KXAN for over 20 years as well as a frequent guest on WOAI Radio in San Antonio.

John is the owner of the award-winning organic garden center The Natural Gardener. In 2014, it was acknowledged as one of the top 5 garden centers in the U.S. and #1 in the Southwest by Today's Garden Center Magazine, and numerous winner of the Austin Chronicle Best of Awards.