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.