The WPTF Weekend Gardener is an award-winning radio talk show that has been on the air for over 40 years. Mike Raley has been the host since the show first aired in January of 1985, bringing expert gardening advice and fun conversation to listeners. Rufus Edmisten, former NC Secretary of State and Attorney General, has been a co-host for over 10 years, providing his unique insights and adding to the lively discussions. The Weekend Gardener is an evolution of The Tar Heel Gardener, a show that aired for 40 years and was hosted by North Carolina State University professor John H. Harris. Initially a 15-minute program where John answered listener letters, the show grew into a half-hour format before becoming the 3-hour talk show we know today. Over its four decades, the Weekend Gardener has become a staple for gardening enthusiasts across the state. more

Focusing on growing Japanese maples, caring for Japanese maples, maple related travel, and collecting Japanese maples. With over 1000 different Japanese maple cultivars, brothers Matt and Tim Nichols of MrMaple.com share their knowledge and experience on Japanese maples. As former Presidents of the North American Branch of the Maple Society, extensive travelers, nurserymen, and experts in the field of Acer, Matt and Tim discuss topics focusing on the promotion of gardening with maples. Matt and Tim are co-owners of MrMaple.com, a small mail-order nursery in Western North Carolina that specializes in Japanese maples, ginkgo, conifers, and other woody ornamental trees and shrubs. With over 1000 different cultivars of Acer palmatum, Matt and Tim strive to have one of the largest collections of maples in the world. more

My name is Michelle, and I grow food in my yard for my family and stock my farmstand in zone 7B/8A Western North Carolina. In this podcast, I share what I've learned from all my years of growing. I share growing tips and best practices for the varieties I grow so that you can get the most production out of your garden and have the satisfaction of growing your own food. I started as a home gardener just like you and I promise you, you can do this! Read more about my market gardening escapades at https://www.growingthegoodlife.net more

Two friends, one farm dream. Wendy packed up her suburban Maryland home, two kids, two cats, and a dog and moved to a farm in rural North Carolina. Melissa, who's still back in Maryland, lives the farm life vicariously through Wendy while tending to her ever-expanding backyard garden. They catch up each week to discuss the latest adventures on her farm, Chutzpah Hollow, with occasional updates from Melissa's tiny oasis in the 'burbs.Why are we here? When Wendy decided to take that enormous leap to fulfill her dream of buying a farm, I wanted to make sure I could follow along every step of the way. This podcast is my opportunity to tag along while helping her document the ups, the downs, and the in-betweens.We are friends, working professionals, Jewish mothers, and total noobs. Neither of us have any experience farming or homesteading. We're just two gals who love the natural world, and who seek a healthy and meaningful life for ourselves and our families. Some of you brave risk-takers will relate to Wendy. Others, like me, will listen from the sidelines and continue to fantasize about starting our own farm someday while growing whatever we can in our backyards, and trying our hands at living the homestead life in the 'burbs. We hope you'll join us on this adventure, either from the sidelines or while getting your own hands dirty. more