BOISE, Idaho — It can be said Idaho viewers enjoyed the years of seeing Garden Master Jim Duthie on KTVB for his local forecasts and his popular gardening segment "You Can Grow It." In honor of his years of serving the viewers, the History of Idaho Broadcasting Foundation (HIBF) honored him over a slice of pizza.
On Friday, Feb. 23 the HIBF honored the recently retired Duthie with a luncheon at the Smoky Mountain Pizzeria Grill in Boise. During the event, Duthie spoke about his experience in television and some segments from "You Can Grow It."
As KTVB previously reported, Duthie announced on Friday, Nov. 3, that after 25 years of forecasting the weather in the Treasure Valley, he will retire at the end of this year.
Jim joined the KTVB team as a part-time meteorologist in August 2008. He stepped in full-time on the morning team in 2022, helping the team through a tough time after the passing of KTVB meteorologist Larry Gebert. Jim’s dedication, strength, and overall calm approach was indispensable to the entire team during a difficult time.
Jim discovered he wanted to be a meteorologist growing up in the desert climate of Arizona. He said he became fascinated by the state’s summer thunderstorms and winter storms that brought in short-lived snow.
Jim graduated with a degree in meteorology from the University of Utah in 1983. TV weather wasn't part of his original career plan. He hoped to make a career with the National Weather Service, but after graduating from college, a federal hiring freeze was in place, and by the time it was lifted, his career path had already taken a different direction. His first weather job was for a private forecasting company that provided weather forecasts for different companies including power utilities, ski resorts, and film production projects. He later forecasted the weather on two different Salt Lake City television stations.
Over the past 35 years, Jim's voice could also be heard giving daily weather forecasts on nearly 40 radio stations throughout the western U.S. and Canada.
Over his decades-long career, Jim has received awards from the Idaho State Broadcasters Association and the Idaho Press Club.
Many viewers know that Jim is not just an expert forecaster; he is also an expert gardener. Over the years he’s given the community several helpful gardening tips with his “You Can Grow It” segments.
Jim and his wife Tammy live in Meridian. They look forward to spending extra time exploring together, with a first trip already planned!
Jim’s last day at KTVB was on Dec. 29.
A note from Jim:
"I’ve loved my nearly 40 years as a professional meteorologist, much of it right here in Idaho. Our weather can be challenging to forecast, from winter storms to summer thunderstorms and everything in between. I have thoroughly enjoyed my 15+ years at KTVB, and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to wind down my professional career. I'll miss the daily interaction with so many talented people. And I’ll really miss the Wake Up Idaho team. We’ve not only become good friends, but we are practically family.
I’m so grateful to our KTVB viewers who have welcomed me into their homes and lives every morning.
Not many people get to go to work each day and do the things they love to do. Weather and gardening seem to go hand in hand, and I’ve been fortunate to get to forecast the weather every day, and to share my love of gardening as well each week on “You Can Grow It’.
I appreciate all of the kind and friendly people I've met throughout the years in local stores, restaurants and at public events, and I appreciate the nice things they've had to say. Idaho is a special place to live, work and play, with its natural beauty and so many amazing people. I’m looking forward to having more time to explore the wonders of Idaho, and enjoy all of the fun and exciting events that Idaho has to offer."
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