WPTF Weekend Gardener

Fall color takes center stage: the “banana pudding plant” is blooming now, and Phil lays out cool‑season staples — pansies, mums, and more — for fresh containers and beds. Monica from the State Farmers Market checks in with a full autumn lineup: pumpkins, gourds, straw bales, pansies, and shrubs for seasonal decorating.

Lisa Grele Barrie from Raleigh City Farm joins to talk urban agriculture, community support, and tackling food insecurity. Then Andrew Kren from the National Weather Service updates the tropics — how Humberto’s track could tug Imelda east and what that means for NC. Plus, the crew sorts a roadside “corn-like” mystery plant as a ginger lily (and a few look‑alikes).

Mike Raley, Phil Campbell, and Rufus Edmisten kick off with tomato seed‑saving how‑tos — including Gerald Adams’ OxiClean method and how it compares with the traditional ferment‑and‑strain approach. They also chat fragrant fall standouts like banana shrub/osmanthus and note early dogwood color. Listener calls touch on tiny tomatoes like ‘Coyote’ and heirlooms like ‘Cousin Gladys.’

Mike and Rufus wrap up from Durham with more open house fun, giveaways, and garden talk. Listener calls spark tips on crepe myrtles, Rose of Sharon, and hydrangeas, while the show blends home improvement, horticultural insight, and good humor from the Weekend Gardener team.

The broadcast continues with discussions including the upcoming Fall Plant Sale in Chapel Hill, favorite native plants, fall-blooming flowers like rain lilies and tea olives, and plenty of laughter with callers and community friends

Mike Raley and Rufus Edmisten open the show from the Aluminum Company of NC in Durham with Sammy Hanna. The team celebrates Mike’s birthday, talks company history and home projects, and answers gardening questions on pruning Japanese maples and figs

The conversation continues with listener Steve bringing in daylily photos and plants, sparking talk of weeds, stiltgrass, bamboo, figs, and Roses of Sharon. Bill Mitchell joins to highlight grills, spas, saunas, and games during the store’s renovation expo. The hour wraps with more garden advice, community stories, and a few laughs over hot dogs and foosball

Mike Raley, Phil Campbell, and Rufus Edmisten open the show at Atlantic Spas and Billiards in Raleigh. The team talks fall flowers like swamp daisies, sunflowers, sedums, and zinnias while sharing tips on bog gardens and pollinator favorites. Lively stories and laughter keep the first half moving.

Mike, Rufus, and Patrick wrap up with wide-ranging garden talk — from giant coneflowers to ginger lilies and lessons from Patrick’s time at Heronswood Garden in Washington State. The final hour blends expert advice, botanical history, and plenty of good humor from the Weekend Gardener team

The conversation deepens with Patrick McMillan exploring heirloom chrysanthemums and their upcoming show at the NC State Fairgrounds. Listeners hear about the history, diversity, and beauty of these rare mums, along with Patrick’s reflections on horticulture and plant stories that connect to memory and place

Live from the WPTF studio, Mike Raley and Rufus Edmisten welcome special guest Patrick McMillan, retired Clemson professor and noted plantsman. They share stories of fragrant osmanthus, cooking favorites, and Rufus’s gardening memories, setting the tone for a lively and insightful morning

Mike, Phil, and Rufus Edmisten wrap up with listener questions and expert tips on hydrangeas, lawns, and late-summer gardening. The final hour blends plant talk, personal stories, and plenty of laughs from the WPTF Weekend Gardener team.

The hosts continue with stories of resilience, highlighting the Peggy Martin rose that survived Hurricane Katrina and other garden favorites. Conversation turns to Rufus’s memories, pawpaws, figs, and community calls with practical advice.

Mike Raley, Phil Campbell, and Rufus Edmisten open the show with Fred Gaines at Bell’s Carpets and Floors in Raleigh. They talk flooring trends, the return of shag carpet, and seasonal gardening notes, including sweet autumn clematis and early mums.

Mike, Phil, and Rufus wrap up the show with more expert tips and plenty of laughs. From fig trees to community memories, the final hour blends garden know-how with good humor.

The conversation continues with hibiscus, figs, and seasonal lawn care. Rufus adds his signature humor while the team takes questions on shrubs, blooms, and fall planting.

Live from the WPTF studio, Mike Raley, Phil Campbell, and Rufus Edmonston kick things off with late-summer tomatoes, azaleas, and practical advice. Listener calls and stories set the tone for the morning.

Mike, Rufus, and Nelsa wrap up the broadcast from the Farmers Market with guests Judy Montague, Wayne, Richard, and Bart. The final hour brings more market stories, expert advice, and lively listener interaction.

From the State Farmers Market, Mike, Rufus, and Nelsa welcome John Harmuth to the table. Conversation turns to hibiscus, community events, and more practical advice for Carolina gardeners.

Mike Raley, Rufus Edmonston, and Nelsa Cox kick off the show live at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh. They chat with vendors, share seasonal tips, and answer listener questions to start the morning.

In the final part, the team talks with Billy from the local Farmer's Market about the seasonal produce currently available, including butter beans, squash, and figs. They also discuss a hot sauce festival in Oxford and the local pepper grower, Bailey Farms.

The hosts take calls from listeners, providing gardening advice on topics such as caring for crape myrtles and hydrangeas, controlling crabgrass, and attracting pollinators. They also address a listener's tomato problem, sharing a text message solution from "tomato guru" Gerald Adams.

The show opens with hosts Mike Raley and Rufus, along with guest Johnny Coley, introducing special guest Gary Stevenson, the Chief Meteorologist for Spectrum. They discuss the recent delightful August weather and Gary's background, then have a lighthearted "swearing-in" ceremony for Gary to join the crew. The segment concludes with an intriguing mention of the "Chitlin Club," a secretive society from the 1940s.

The third hour of the Weekend Gardener features a discussion about the challenges farmers are facing this season. As the episode continues, the crew answers callers' questions, provides valuable advice, and reflects on callers' birthdays. The show concludes with closing thoughts and future plans for the Weekend Gardener!

As the second hour of the Weekend Gardener continues, the crew delves into substantial discussions about tomatoes. They explore everything from the "Rufus Tomato" to the distinctions between hybrid and heirloom tomatoes.

Mike Raley is joined by Gerald Adams, Amanda Bratcher, and Rufus Edmiston in the WPTF studio for this weekend's episodes. The episode starts with funny travel stories, updates on gardening, and expert advice. Of course, it wouldn't be a weekend gardening episode without some updates on tomatoes!

In the final part of the show, the crew reflects on the beautiful surroundings of Rescued WOOD Rehab, where the remote broadcast is taking place. Mike checks in with Monica at the State Farmers Market about what is going on after speaking with special guest, best-selling author Brie Arthur. The third hour continues with more stories from the Rescued WOOD Rehab team and calls from excited listeners and long-time friends of the program.

In the second hour, Mike, Rufus, Keith, and the rest of the crew return with some playful banter about engineers. They continue to take questions from callers and provide updates throughout the show. As they approach the end of the second hour, the crew has a conversation with the wonderful team at Rescued WOOD Rehab, followed by more humorous banter with a guest caller before transitioning into the third hour.

Broadcasting live from Rescue Wood Rehab in Fuquay-Varina, Mike Raley and Rufus Edmisten kick off the show with summer garden advice and listener calls. Topics include managing figs, controlling ivy and preparing beds for the upcoming planting season. The team shares tips for handling mid-season transitions and extreme heat.

The final hour wraps up with more audience calls, discussions on turf care and composting, and reflections on the changes in rural gardening communities. Mike, Rufus, and Ann close out the show with heartfelt thanks to their hosts and the Womble family for their hospitality.

In part two, the conversation continues with garden questions from listeners and stories from longtime customers of J.E. Womble & Sons Hardware. The crew discusses managing yard pests, fall vegetables, and the importance of supporting locally owned hardware and feed stores.

The Weekend Gardener hits the road for a live broadcast from J.E. Womble and Sons in Lillington. Mike, Rufus, and Ann welcome former Congressman Bob Etheridge, who reflects on the region's agricultural roots. The team shares planting advice, soil tips, and community stories that showcase the strength of local gardening traditions in Harnett County.

The celebration continues as the team talks about Ridgeway Cantaloupes, Swamp Mallows, and daylily care. Listeners call in with kind words for Rufus and gardening questions for the panel. Nelsa and Mike share laughs about misunderstood birthday cards and favorite summer plants as the show wraps with reflections on community and growing old with grace.

More birthday wishes roll in as listeners and friends call in to share greetings and gardening tales. The crew talks about heirloom tomatoes, container hostas, flooding concerns at Jordan Lake, and local plant finds. Big John joins the conversation, and the gang previews next week’s live broadcast at Rescue Wood Rehab.

Mike Raley returns to the studio with Nelsa Cox and Rufus Edmisten as the team celebrates Rufus’s 84th birthday with stories, laughs, and a surprise Chantilly cake. They reflect on Mike’s recent Norway trip, discuss favorite tomatoes like the Hillbilly variety, and share warm memories of past broadcasts, birthdays, and the civility of longtime listener Cliff Joyner.

In the final hour, the team recaps summer planting progress and talks more about seasonal vegetables, blueberry tips, and upcoming remote broadcasts. They give a shout-out to Tom Campbell for guest hosting and reflect on listener traditions and favorite homegrown recipes.

Gail Hartfield joins the show to deliver the July 4th weekend forecast. The hosts take more listener calls, talk about stubborn weeds, blooming sunflowers, and Rufus' prized tomatoes. They also reflect on favorite summer crops and share tips for managing garden pests.

Mike Raley returns to the studio after a trip to Norway and reunites with Rufus Edmisten and Phil Campbell. The crew shares summer garden updates, including early crepe myrtle blooms and favorite hydrangeas. Listener Herb calls in from Jamesville to talk tomatoes, bee balm, and 10-foot corn.

Rufus shares a bit of garden lore, and the team hears from Monica David at the State Farmers Market about what’s fresh and in season. With daylilies peaking and local growers in full swing, it’s the perfect time to dig into summer color and prep for July.

The team takes listener calls on watering schedules, blossom-end rot in tomatoes, pruning tips for hydrangeas, and whether to fertilize in extreme heat. There’s also talk of reviving distressed dogwoods and encouraging continuous bloom from annuals like vinca and zinnias.

Tom Campbell hosts with Rufus Edmisten and Nelsa Cox as the crew digs into summer gardening challenges, including how to keep your plants hydrated during a dry spell. Mike Raley checks in by phone, and listeners call in with questions about blueberries, fertilizing zinnias, and diagnosing stressed maples.

The Weekend Gardener crew digs into heat stress recovery, watering timing, and pest management. They reflect on what makes homegrown tomatoes worth the effort and wrap up with advice on making the most of your summer garden.

The team answers more listener questions about pests, watering strategies, and basil woes. Hear expert tips on hydroponics, container gardens, and how to support vegetable plants through the North Carolina heat.

Mike Raley, Rufus Edmisten, Amanda Bratcher from Lee County Cooperative Extension, and tomato pro Gerald Adams share solutions for common tomato problems and summer growing questions. Listeners call in with issues related to squash and tomato varieties, while the hosts discuss soil reuse and maintaining healthy fruit.

In the final segment from Downtown Cary Park, the discussion covers everything from daylily conventions to native American uses of plants like yaupon holly and cattail. Patrick McMillan shares lessons in gardening for wildlife, and Rufus tells some memorable stories from his youth.

Mike Raley, Phil Campbell, Rufus Edmisten, and Paul McKenzie continue their conversation at Downtown Cary Park, highlighting water features, plant stories, and sustainable gardening practices. Plus, insights into the challenges and joys of growing native hydrangeas, trumpet creeper, and wild bergamot.

The Weekend Gardener team broadcasts from Downtown Cary Park with a focus on horticulture, native plant choices, and low-maintenance gardening. Learn about plant selection strategies, including alternatives to invasive species, and how Cary is transforming its landscapes for beauty and biodiversity.

The final segment covers hydrangea care, fig tree pruning, and pest management tips for the growing season. Listeners call with questions on roses, mulch, and leaf curl. The show closes with reflections on summer gardening routines and what’s thriving in the landscape.

In this hour, the hosts dive into container gardening, composting, and soil quality. Lawn maintenance for zoysia and centipede grass are discussed alongside weed control strategies. Calls come in with questions on tomatoes, daylilies and heat stress on plants.

The Weekend Gardener team opens the show in studio with discussions on watering practices, pruning peonies, dealing with black spot, and transitioning gardens into the summer season. Listener questions bring up fertilizer choices and weather-related plant care.