Best Mike Raley Podcasts (2025)

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WPTF Weekend Gardener - Studio Conversations and Winter Garden Prep (Part 3 of 3) 42:50

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5h ago42:50

42:50

Mike, Rufus, and Nelson welcome Monica Wood to discuss the State Farmers Market report, which includes Christmas trees, produce, wreaths, and holiday crowds. They then cover additional winter preparations and answer caller questions to conclude the show.

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WPTF Weekend Gardener - Studio Conversations and Winter Garden Prep (Part 2 of 3) 43:46

5h ago43:46

43:46

Mike, Rufus, and Nelson continue discussing holly problems, lily and crinum questions, pruning guidance, vines, lawns, and a steady stream of listener calls regarding winter garden issues.

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WPTF Weekend Gardener - Studio Conversations and Winter Garden Prep (Part 1 of 3) 42:49

5h ago42:49

42:49

Mike Raley, Rufus Edmiston, and Nelson Cox kick off the show in the studio by discussing plant IDs, camellias, bulbs, evergreens, soil questions, and sharing early seasonal garden advice from callers.

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WPTF Weekend Gardener – From Raleigh to the Roots (Part 3 of 3) 42:50

9d ago42:50

42:50

Mike, Nelsa, and Rufus take more horticulture questions, revisit garden memories, and play the J.C. Knowles clip requested by caller Larry as they wrap up the show with light weekend chatter.

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WPTF Weekend Gardener – From Raleigh to the Roots (Part 2 of 3) 41:34

3h ago41:34

41:34

Mike, Nelsa, and Rufus talk camellias, pruning, plant IDs, and fall garden performance before bringing in Billy Howell with a State Farmers Market update on Christmas trees, wreaths, holiday crafts, and seasonal produce.

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WPTF Weekend Gardener – From Raleigh to the Roots (Part 1 of 3) 41:39

5d ago41:39

41:39

Mike Raley, Nelsa Cox, and Rufus Edmisten open the show with parade-morning talk, drought updates, longleaf pine and cryptomeria discussion, and early caller questions about tomatoes, screening trees, and evergreen choices.

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WPTF Weekend Gardener - The Great Kale Taste Test (Part 3 of 3) 43:35

14d ago43:35

43:35

Mike, Rufus, Paul McKenzie, and Gary Stevenson finally deliver the long-promised kale taste test as Gary brings in his cooked kale; the hosts sample it live, react, joke, and wrap with State Farmers Market and craft-fair updates.

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WPTF Weekend Gardener - The Great Kale Taste Test (Part 2 of 3) 40:44

2h ago40:44

40:44

Mike, Rufus, Paul McKenzie, and Gary Stevenson dive into flying stories, hot-air balloons, peppers, camellias, and fall color, with more kale setups as Gary hints at what he’s cooking for the final hour.

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WPTF Weekend Gardener - The Great Kale Taste Test (Part 1 of 3) 40:33

9d ago40:33

40:33

Mike, Rufus, Paul McKenzie, and Gary Stevenson kick off the show with early veggie talk, kale arguments, fall gardening chatter, and in-studio banter that sets up the day’s kale showdown.

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WPTF Weekend Gardener - Live from Jane McKimmon Center (Part 3 of 3) 46:10

19d ago46:10

46:10

Garden Q&A with Johnny Coley and Andrea Lane—camellias in mountain zones, Fraser firs, and more—plus JC Raulston’s Moonlight in the Garden.

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WPTF Weekend Gardener - Live from Jane McKimmon Center (Part 2 of 3) 41:45

20d ago41:45

41:45

Fraud-prevention segment featuring the NC Secretary of State’s office, plus State Farmers Market and local events updates

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WPTF Weekend Gardener - Live from Jane McKimmon Center (Part 1 of 3) 39:44

19d ago39:44

39:44

Broadcast from the Jane McKimmon Center at NC State for the NC 55+ Lifestyle Show, with event highlights and schedule

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WPTF Weekend Gardener - Camellias, Fall Bulbs, and Remembering J.C. Knowles (Part 3 of 3) 46:08

30d ago46:08

46:08

Monica’s State Farmers Market update on what’s fresh, vendor shout-outs, and weekend notes including the Korean Food Festival.

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WPTF Weekend Gardener - Camellias, Fall Bulbs, and Remembering J.C. Knowles (Part 2 of 3) 45:14

1M ago45:14

45:14

Listener Q&A on dividing/transplanting, mulch basics, and prepping garden beds and lawns for the cool season.

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WPTF Weekend Gardener - Camellias, Fall Bulbs, and Remembering J.C. Knowles (Part 1 of 3) 43:47

30d ago43:47

43:47

A tribute to J.C. Knowles with favorite stories, plus fall color picks—pansies, camellias—and how to plant daffodils and other bulbs now.

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WPTF Weekend Gardener - Fall Planting & Lawn Rescue (Part 2 of 2) 40:05

1M ago40:05

40:05

Warm-season lawn choices and shade (fine-blade zoysias vs. St. Augustine), grub issues in zoysia; hornworms vs. armyworms; when to cut back lantana (after a hard freeze); deer-resistant winter color with snapdragons; and how trimming ligustrum now can cost you spring blooms, with quick spacing notes for future shade trees.…

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WPTF Weekend Gardener - Fall Planting & Lawn Rescue (Part 1 of 2) 40:30

1M ago40:30

40:30

Fall color and drought updates; why autumn is the best time to plant trees and shrubs; fescue seeding and watering; Gerald’s pepper seed-saving and unusual varieties; container tips for church planters (swap oversized ornamental kale for snapdragons or dianthus, use trailing pansies, ensure good drainage); plus camellias and other compact shrubs fo…

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WPTF Weekend Gardener - Live from J.E. Womble & Sons (Lillington, NC) (Part 3 of 3) 42:56

1M ago42:56

42:56

Fall lawn rescue (centipede vs. rye), deadheading/feeding roses, ginger lilies and collards; listener Q&A and wrap from Womble’s.

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WPTF Weekend Gardener - Live from J.E. Womble & Sons (Lillington, NC) (Part 2 of 3) 39:45

2M ago39:45

39:45

Store-floor chat (gear, gas logs); Etheridge on crop prices; callers on rye overseeding and tomatoes; Gary Pierce’s fixes for stressed turf and rose care.

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WPTF Weekend Gardener - Live from J.E. Womble & Sons (Lillington, NC) (Part 1 of 3) 39:01

1M ago39:01

39:01

Kickoff from J.E. Womble & Sons in Lillington; Bob Etheridge on drought and NC farmers; Erica Gallion on Youth Legislative Assembly & Super Kids; Gary Pierce begins Q&A on lawns, roses, and fall veggies.

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Weekend Gardener - Live from Crossroads Corn Maze, Wendell (Part 3 Of 3) 44:38

2M ago44:38

44:38

Bradley O’Neill highlights the restored IH tractors, and Chris Massey from C. Massey Plumbing drops by. Amanda Bratcher gives what-to-do-now pruning/planting tips, with a quick State Fair flower show preview from the crew.

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Weekend Gardener - Live from Crossroads Corn Maze, Wendell (Part 2 Of 3) 39:36

2M ago39:36

39:36

Paula Perry shares the 5-acre maze designed by Wayne Batten, the tractor showcase with International Harvester Chapter 37, and donations benefiting Interfaith Food Shuttle. Plus: caller Steve, pumpkin “stackables” for cooking, and quick fall planting notes.

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Weekend Gardener - Live from Crossroads Corn Maze, Wendell (Part 1 Of 3) 39:51

2M ago39:51

39:51

Opening hours from Crossroads Corn Maze. Mike Raley, Rufus Edmisten, and Amanda Bratcher talk fall weather/drought and watering, then Jean Spooner (Umstead Coalition) previews today’s native plant sale at William B. Umstead State Park.

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Weekend Gardener - Live from Louisburg College (Part 2 of 2) 35:19

2M ago35:19

35:19

More fall Q&A with Mart Bumgarner: saving seed from summer annuals, why tulips act like annuals here, and why you should leave some stems standing for winter pollinator habitat. We also talk favorite ornamental grasses (hello, muhly and little bluestem) and share PlantFest logistics and highlights. Plus campus notes on JPAC and the Allen de Hart Co…

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Weekend Gardener - Live from Louisburg College (Part 1 of 2) 40:28

2M ago40:28

40:28

Broadcast live from Louisburg College’s Seby B. Jones Performing Arts Center (JPAC), with local historian Mark Pace of the Tar River Center for History & Culture sharing Louisburg stories (Person Place, Gov. Thomas W. Bickett). Former mayor and state representative Lucy Allen joins the conversation. Orange County Cooperative Extension’s Mart Bumgar…

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Weekend Gardener - Seed Saving, Storm Tracks & Fall Blooms (Part 3) 44:42

2M ago44:42

44:42

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.…

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Weekend Gardener - Seed Saving, Storm Tracks & Fall Blooms (Part 2) 40:11

2M ago40:11

40:11

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 f…

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Weekend Gardener - Seed Saving, Storm Tracks & Fall Blooms (Part 1) 40:15

2M ago40:15

40:15

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’ an…

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Weekend Gardener - Live from the Aluminum Company of North Carolina (Part 3) 39:13

2M ago39:13

39:13

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.

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Weekend Gardener - Live from the Aluminum Company of North Carolina (Part 2) 39:25

2M ago39:25

39:25

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

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Weekend Gardener - Live from the Aluminum Company of North Carolina (Part 1) 39:37

2M ago39:37

39:37

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

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Weekend Gardener - Live from Atlantic Spas and Billiards (Part 2 Of 2) 40:20

3M ago40:20

40:20

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 an…

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Weekend Gardener - Live from Atlantic Spas and Billiards (Part 1 Of 2) 31:30

2M ago31:30

31:30

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.

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Saving September. The fix, the plan, and Ryan Divish’s take this years Seattle Mariners! 26:57

3M ago26:57

26:57

Subscribe now and get amongst it, mates! 🎥🔔Join the conversation!Twitter: https://twitter.com/thetopsteptvInstagram: https://instagram.com/thetopsteptv#mlb #mariners #SeattleMariners #mlbstats #baseballpodcast

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Weekend Gardener - Celebrating Plants & People with Patrick McMillan (Part 3) 42:05

3M ago42:05

42:05

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

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Weekend Gardener - Celebrating Plants & People with Patrick McMillan (Part 2) 37:49

3M ago37:49

37:49

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…

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Weekend Gardener - Celebrating Plants & People with Patrick McMillan (Part 1) 41:40

3M ago41:40

41:40

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

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Cal Raleigh talks about his historic season, life behind the plate, and his latest beer collab 14:36

3M ago14:36

14:36

Cal Raleigh talks beer, hitting historic home runs, how to bring back his starters from rough outings, speaks Australian and more... Twitter: https://twitter.com/thetopsteptvInstagram: https://instagram.com/thetopsteptv#mlb #mariners #SeattleMariners #mlbstats #baseballpodcast

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Cal Raleigh Talks Record HRs & Mariners Playoff Chances | The Top Step 27:13

3M ago27:13

27:13

🎙️ On this episode of The Top Step with Ryan Rowland-Smith, I’m joined by Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh to talk about his record-setting home run milestone for MLB catchers. We break down his power surge, launch a Cal Raleigh Home Run Tracker, and even have some fun as Cal speaks Australian. ROOT Sports’ Brad Adam also joins me to analyze wh…

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Gabe Speier Opens Up on His Call-Up, Mentality on the Mound & Life With the Mariners 27:28

3M ago27:28

27:28

From his unforgettable call-up with the Kansas City Royals to becoming the Seattle Mariners’ closer, Gabe Speier shares his journey with Ryan Rowland-Smith on The Top Step. He breaks down his offseason training and how he keeps his velocity sharp all season, his mindset when attacking hitters with heaters, and the relationships that matter most—wor…

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Weekend Gardener - Live From Bell’s Carpets and Floors (Part 3) 43:48

3M ago43:48

43:48

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.

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Weekend Gardener - Live From Bell’s Carpets and Floors (Part 2) 38:55

3M ago38:55

38:55

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.

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Weekend Gardener - Live From Bell’s Carpets and Floors (Part 1) 41:32

3M ago41:32

41:32

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.

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Weekend Gardener - From Tomatoes to Tall Tales (Part 3) 45:16

3M ago45:16

45:16

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.

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Weekend Gardener - From Tomatoes to Tall Tales (Part 2) 40:59

3M ago40:59

40:59

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.

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Weekend Gardener - From Tomatoes to Tall Tales (Part 1) 40:01

3M ago40:01

40:01

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.

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Logan Evans: His journey to the Seattle Mariners Rotation. 28:50

4M ago28:50

28:50

Seattle Mariners rookie pitcher Logan Evans joins Ryan to share his inspiring path from a 12th-round draft pick to the Big Leagues. Evans talks about how he developed a strong arsenal of pitches and increase velocity. He also discusses how he handled the challenge of being sent back down after a strong start in the bigs and his goals as he works to…

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Weekend Gardener – Live from the State Farmers Market (Part 3) 43:32

4M ago43:32

43:32

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.

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Weekend Gardener – Live from the State Farmers Market (Part 2) 39:26

3M ago39:26

39:26

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.

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Weekend Gardener – Live from the State Farmers Market (Part 1) 39:21

3M ago39:21

39:21

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.