Barbecues, picnics, kids running through the sprinkler — lush, green grass is in the background of all our summer fun.

Unfortunately, drought conditions and relentless summer heat often result in more of a crunchy brown-green mess.

Sound like your yard? Start prepping for summer now with two opportunities this weekend.

Local expert and Super-Sod manager Brad Hubinek will be on the Weekend Gardener radio show this Saturday from 8-11 a.m. answering lawn and turf questions, including the transition into warm season lawn care. The show will also cover organic composting and vegetable gardening.  

The Town of Cary's Spruce program will also provide free compost on Saturday beginning at 9 a.m., until 1 p.m. or supplies run out. Cary residents may bring hard plastic 18 to 32-gallon containers, or pickup trucks or trailers, to be filled with compost.

The compost will be given away at the Garmon Operations Center, located at 400 James Jackson Avenue. Call (919) 469-4301 to check supply status.

If you'd like to ask a question on the Weekend Gardener radio show, call in at (919) 860-WPTF (9783) or 1-800-662-7979.

The show will air on WPTF News Radio 680am and stream on wptf.com.