Every Friday 88.9 WLRY radio host Mike O'Riley visits with OSU Extension Master Gardener coordinator Connie Smith about what's going on locally in the garden, on the farm, and around the County. Get timely tips and advice directly from Ohio State University Extension experts.

Tune into "Weekend Gardener" on 88.9 FM at 8:05 a.m. each Friday, or click on the highlighted link below to listen to this week's show in MP3.

And, don't forget to tune into The Farm Page, Saturday mornings from 6 a.m. until 8 a.m. on WLRY

May 17: Connie and Mike open the show with a conversation about Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week.

May 17: During the second half of this week's show the attention turns to lawn care and management tips for mid May.

May 10: Connie and Mike open the show with conversation about how plants might react to the cool weekend temperature, and things we might do in the garden.

May 10: This week's show concludes with talk about apples and blueberries.

May 3: Mike and Mike open the show by talking about our new Local Foods Guide and sources of locally grown foods.

May 3: The second half of the show focuses on spring gardening "chores."

April 19: In the first segment of the show, Connie and Shannon Carter discuss 'routines' for kids, and family nutrition.

April 19: Fishing, fishing laws and fishing safety are the topics in this segment with Perry Orndorff

April 12: Connie and Mike open this week's show with a discussion about things we can be doing in the landscape.

April 12: During the second half of the show the conversation turns to boxelder bugs, and 'safe' gardening.

April 5: Connie and Mike open this week's show with conversation about next week's "Getting Ready to Garden" program.

April 5: The attention turns to preventing crabgrass during the second half of the show.

March 29: This week Shannon Carter joins Mike to talk about eggs!

March 29: During the second segment of the show, it's more on eggs, and especially food safety concerns when cooking, handling and eating them.

March 22: Connie and Mike open this week's show with conversation about National Agriculture Week and the impact agriculture has on our daily lives.

March 22: Proper caring of fruit trees with dormant oil sprays, fungicides and insecticides is the focus in the second segment.

March 15: Mike and OSU Extension FCS Educator Shannon Carter talk about the Spring Wellness Challenge, and March being Nutrition Month.

March 15: Connie and FCS Educator Cindy Shuster talk about the Sewing Smorgasboard, coming up this Saturday.

March 8: Stan and Mike discuss the stress and decline we are seeing in trees, working with wet soils, and crabgrass control.

March 8: Emerald Ash Borer control alternatives are the focus of the second segment of this week's program.

March 1: 4-H Educator Hannah Kohler Epley joins Mike today to discuss the upcoming 4-H Day.

March 1: The show concludes this week with talk about starting a 4-H Cluyb, and how to become a 4-H member.

February 22: FCS Educator Shannon Carter joins Mike to discuss money management, and dealing with stress related issues.

February 22: In the second half of the show, Shannon and Mike talk about the upcoming Managing Your Money meeting series sponsored by United Way and taught by OSU Extension.

February 15: This week Shannon Carter, local FCS Educator, joins Mike for a conversation about Heart Health Month.

February 15: During the second half of the show Shannon and Mike discuss food labels and more about eating healthy.

February 1: Mike Hogan joins Mike O'Riley this week to discuss woodlot & timber management and next week's "Forestry Forum" program.

February 1: In the second half of the show conversation shifts to upcoming programs that include Sheep & Goat School, Beef School, GAP training and pesticide licensing.

January 25: Connie and Mike open the show with conversation about the upcoming Ohio Beef Cattle School being hosted at the Ag Center in Lancaster.

January 25: Gardening books that make great winter reading are the topic that concludes the show.

January 18: Connie and Mike open the show with conversation about upcoming meetings, ag news in the local papers, and Master Gardener Training.

January 18: The show concludes with detail about the upcoming Master Gardener Training, and the Cards for Caring effort in memory of Janet Downs.

January 11: This week Mike Hogan talks about the impact of changing weather patterns on plants.

January 11: In the second half of the show, Mike and Mike discuss the upcoming Agronomy Day, Pesticide Recertification and the Farmland Preservation Summit.

January 4: Creating and desiging landscape in the winter opens the show.

January 4: Connie and Mike close with feeding the birds, and more on the landscape.

December 28: In the first half of this week's show, Connie and Mike talk about eating safe and healthy over the Holidays.

December 28: The show concludes with conversation about firewood safety and plant care in snow and icey conditions.

December 21: Stan and Mike open the show with conversaton about early winter farm activities, and upcoming meetings with OSU Extension.

December 21: In the second half, Connie and Mike discuss last minute gifts for gardeners, and the new Saturday morning "Farm Page" radio show on 88.9

December 14: Local FCS Educator Shannon Carter visits with Mike this week about preventing Holiday depression.

Decmber 14: In the second half of the show Shannon talks about gift giving, budgeting concepts, and maintaining "family" during the Holidays.

December 7: Connie and Mike open the show with conversation about perhaps the most famous Christmas plants of all - the poinsettia.

December 7: During the second half of the show discussion turns to amaryllis and Christmas cactus.

November 30: This week Mike O'Riley discusses soil testing with local Ag Educator Mike Hogan. 

November 30: The second half of the show is more on making effective use of soil testing.

November 23: This week Connie and Mike open the show with discussion on "fall cleanup" around the landscape. 

November 23: The show concludes with conversation about what to look for when you go to the local Christmas tree farm to choose and cut your tree.

November 16: This week Mike opens the show with Mike Hogan and they discuss the 'cost of Thanksgiving dinner.'

November 16: In the second half of the show FCS Educator Shannon Carter talks about safely preparing an affordable Thankgiving dinner.

Interview with Mike Hogan on "Farm to School" foods: for this week's "The Farm Page" show on WLRY, Mike Hogan discusses the Farm to School local foods program.

November 9: Fall plant care, and winter weather safety is the focus of the first segment of this week's show with Mike and Connie.

November 9: The show conludes with conversation on Thankgiving dinner preparation safety, and composting leaves and garden residue.

November 2: Connie and Mike open this week's show with conversation about Saturday's debut of "The Farm Page" on WLRY!

November 2: In the second half of the show, discussion turns to protecting plants, watering and proper mulching.

October 26: Connie and Mike open the show with everything you ever wanted to know about gourds and pumpkins, and more!

October 26: In the second half, they talk about making pie from your own pumpkins, and upcoming events in the County.

October 19: Stan and Mike talk about harvest, fall weed control and fertilization.

October 19: Home invading insects and the upcoming Oil and Gas Leasing meeting are the focus of the second half of the show.

Interview from the 2012 Fairfield County Fair: Connie discusses the 2012 Champion Barrow MQP project with Timmy and Auggie Smith.

October 12: Connie and Mike interview Fair Board President Ray Stoneburner live from the Fair.

October 12: During the second half of the show, Assistant Jr. Fair Coordinator Chuck Miller visits live from the Fair about all it takes to make the Fair happen.

October 5: Connie and Mike focus on the upcoming Fair this week.

October 5: During the second half of the show, it's more about the Fair activities, including the lamb and barrow muscle quality and performance programs.

September 28: This week Mike Hogan joins host Mike O'Riley to discuss the new pipeline being planned in Fairfield County, and the local impact of the oil & gas industry.

September 28: In the second half of the show conversation focuses on the fracking process, leasing considerations, and long term impacts as the shale gas industry expands towards the County.

September 21: This week Connie and Mike open the show with conversation about Fall, and the Fair!

September 21: Stressed trees and fall lawn care are the topics of discussion in the second half of the show.

September 14: This week Extension Educator Mike Hogan joins Mike O'Riley to talk about fall colors, and the 2012 Ohio Farm Science Review.

September 14: In the second half of the show, Mike and Mike talk about the various exhibits and programs that make Farm Science Review so unique!

September 7: Connie and Mike open the show with conversation about drought damage around the county, and the upcoming Farm Science Review.

September 7: In the second half of the show the topics turn to "A Taste of Fairfield County", fall vegetables, hornets and humming birds.

August 31: Mike Hogan joins Mike O'Riley this week to discuss fall gardening including vegetable, tree and shrub planting.

August 31: In the second half, Mike and Mike talk about lawns and discuss whether or not they've survived the drought, and "cover crops"!

August 24: "Is my lawn still alive?" Connie and Mike open this week's show with a conversation about lawn care, and reseeding lawns.

August 24: In the second half, the conversation shifts to watering plants, and "Connie's favorites."

August 17: This week Stan sits in for Connie and discusses the host of challenges the drought has created for both homeowners and farmers including tree decline, weeds, and varments!

August 17: During the second half of the show, discussion turns to the recent cases of influenza in swine and how it may impact local swine exhibiotors and fairgoers.

August 10: FCS Educator Shannon Carter joins Mike this week to discuss properly canning this year's garden vegetables.

August 10: In the second half of the show, Shannon and Mike "trouble shoot" some of the issues gardeners occasionally have when canning.

August 3: Local AgNR Educator Mike Hogan joins Mike O'Reilly to discuss "local foods" this week.

August 3: As they dig deeper into "local foods" in the second half of the show, Mike and Mike talk about exactly what "local" means to Fairfield County consumers. 

July 27: Direct from the State Fair, Connie and Mike open the show with conversation about livestock at the annual event.

July 27: Dry weather, and related tomato and garden issues are the focus in the second half of the show. 

July 20: Connie and Mike open the show with conversation about Saturday's "Farm Fare" day at the fairgrounds, and insects plaguing people in their landscape.

July 20: The second half od the show features insects causing issues with vegetables, and drought management in the landscape.

July 13: This week Mike Hogan, Fairfield County's new AgNR Educator discusses the current state of the 'drought' throughout the County and Ohio.

July 13: During the second half of the show, Mike and Mike discuss the Ash Borer, utilizing wood chips that resulted from recent storms, and chainsaw safety.

July 6: This week Connie, Mike, and special guest Fairfield County beef queen Sierra Jepsen open the show with conversation about hot/dry weather stress on trees, and livestock.

July 6: Sierra, Connie and Mike talk about transporting animals in the heat, cattle parasites and related health issues, and the changes to the Saturday July 7 Jr. livestock weigh-in and tagging.

June 29: Connie and Mike open this week's show talking about "issues": HOt weather, tomatoes, and summer squash!

June 29: Raccoons and their "control" highlight the second half of the show.

June 22: Sitting in for Connie this week, Stan talks about current activity on the farm, and the impact of the weather on local agriculture and landscape.

June 22: The show concludes with discussion about the impact of the weather on trees, landscape, and the insect population!

June 15: Connie and Mike open the show with conversation about DRY weather, and the Tranquility Garden.

June 15: Lawn mowing and annual flower care during dry weather are the topics that conclude this week's show.

June 8: Dry weather, and the beetle's invasion - Japanese beetles - opens the show.

June 8: In the second half of the show, Connie and Mike talk about Poison hemlock and giant hogweed.

June 1: This week's show begins with conversation about the dry weather, Backyard Gardener, growing blackberries, and welcome a new Ag Educator.

June 1: Connie and Mike conclude the show with discussion about bagworms, fire blight and sweet alyssum.

May 25: Connie and Mike open the show with a conversation about watering annuals and European Ash Borer Awareness week.

May 25: After the break the discussion turns to "that yellow flower" we're seeing across the landscape, the on-line grazing school presentations, and new farm custom rates.

May 18: This week Connie and Mike open the show by discussing what one should do when they discover baby wildlife.

May 18: In the second half of the show the attension turns to orange rust on blackberries, maple petiole borers, slugsand lawn mower safety.

May 11: Connie and Mike open this week's show with Connie's Favorite plants and gardening gifts for Mom's Day!

May 11: Backyard Gardener returns next week! Connie tells all that those attending will enjoy, plus, it's time to check your pines for worms.

May 4: The show opens with discussion on Emerald Ash Borer treatments, and Connie's "favorites."

May 4: During the second half of this week's show Master Gardener Linda Landis joins Connie and Mike to offer her "common sense" gardening tips.

April 27: This week's show begins with a farm planting progress update, and dandilion control options.

April 27: In the second half Connie and Mike discuss the yellow 'wildflower' we're seeing all over, frost issues, and snapdragons.

April 20: Connie and Mike open the show with conversation about Eastern Tent Caterpillars - aka, BAGWORMS!

April 20: During the second half of today's show the discussion shifts to termites, flying ants, and pansies!

April 13: In the first half of the show, Connie and Mike discuss the habits of the carpenter bee.

April 13: The show concludes with conversation about plant trimmings that are poisonous to livestock, and dividing heuchera.

March 30: Connie and Mike open the show with in depth conversation about protecting our fruit crops from frost and freezes.

Marhc 30: Discussion about the upcoming Dig Into Gardening, early season strawberry management & getting a vegetable garden started conclude this week's show.

March 23: Connie and Mike open the show discussing spring garden activites including annuals, perennials, deer resistant plants and crabgrass control.

March 23: Master Gardener Linda Landis joins Connie and Mike for conversation about "Dig Into Gardening" and tips on getting the vegetable garden started.

March 16: Connie and Mike open the show with conversation about ALL that will go on this weekend at the Ohio Beef Expo in Columbus

March 16: The second segment focuses on keeping woodpeckers away from your house, and controlling crabgrass

March 9: This week's show opens with this weekend's Home & Garden Show, Sewing Smorgasboard, and Dining With Diabetes

March 9: Connie and Mike conclude this week's show discussing tornado safety, and up coming meetings including "Dig into Gardening"

March 2: Stan sits in for Connie this week and discusses phosphorus and fertilizer, and hazardous algae blooms in the first segment this week.

March 2: Stan and Mike discuss upcoming meetings and programs as well as gardening in the second segment.

February 24: It's still too early! for dormant oil, crabgrass control and mulch!

February 24: Connie and Mike conclude the show with discussion on coming events and programs of interest including Fruit & Vegetable School and Pesticide License Testing.

February 17: Tapping maple trees and making syrup is the focus of the first half of this week's show.

February 17: Connie and Mike conclude this week's show with conversation about "linked deposit loans" for farm and business, and upcoming events.

February 10: Connie and Mike kick off the show with "Valentines Day plants and flowers."

February 10: "Pruning" is the focus for the second half of this week's show.

February 3: Connie and Mike open the show with conversation about MOLE control, and also frost heaving in our soils.

February 3: The impact of the warm weather on plants, plus the garden calendar and upcoming events concludes this week's edition.

January 27: Connie and Mike open with discussion about how 'hormones' affect winter houseplant care.

January 27: Pesticide Recertification, and lots of other meetings are a topic of conversation to conclude this week's show.

January 20: Salt damage of plants is a conversation piece this morning.

January 20: Connie and Mike conclude with pesticide applicator training, winter pruning and taking winterscape pictures.

January 13: This week's show starts off with conversation about the Poison Control Center and medication safety.

January 13: Connie and Mike conclude with oil and gas lease information, and bed bugs!

January 6: The New Year begins as Connie and Mike discuss postings on the OSU Extension web site, and discussion on fire safety.

January 6: This week's show concludes with common sense fire safety tips, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors.

December 30: This last show of 2011 opens with a discussion on welcoming winter wildlife!

December 30: Connie and Mike conclude with talk about cooking your New Year's Day pork, Farmers' Tax Guides, and year end accounting chores.

December 23: Connie and Mike begin this week's show with conversation about mistletoe, holly & greenery, Christmas trees and candy canes!

December 23: The show concludes with Red Nosed Reindeer, Bahumbug and Merry Christmas! 

December 16: Connie and Mike open this week's show with a conversation on selecting and caring for poinsettias

December 16: During the second half of the show Connie and Mike discuss Christmas cactus and amarylliss bulbs

December 9: This week's show is all about cutting a "real" Christmas tree locally.

December 9: Connie and Mike wrap up this week with conversation about trees farms, and caring for the tree at home.

December 2: Stan sits in for Connie this week, and he and Mike talk about harvest progress on the farm.

December 2: In the second segment, the conversation revolves around winter farm activities and proposed regualtions by the US Department of Labor which could prevent youth from having summer farm jobs.

November 25: Connie and Mike open the show with discussion about deer running everywhere this time of year!

November 25: The show concludes with conversation on reducing Holiday costs, and the "Zero Weight Gain Challenge."

November 18: The show opens with conversation on 'cranberries' and thawing your turkey!

November 18: Connie and Mike conclude with more "turkey talk."

November 11: This week Connie and Mike open the show with discussion on late fall lawn fertilization and weed control.

November 11: The second half of the show revolves around mowing the lawn in the fall, and saving geraniums.

November 4: During the first segment of the show, Connie and Mike talk about what's going on in the farm fields, soil improvments, and soil testing.

November 4: This week's show concludes with discussion about needle drop on pine and spruce trees, and hydrangea.

October 28: This week's show opens with conversation on lawn weed control, chopping leaves, and sanitation in the orchard.

October 28: Connie and Mike conclude with cleaning up your vegetable garden, fall "invaders" and our 'local' member of OSU's Homecoming Court!

October 21: Sitting in for Connie this week, Stan Smith discusses corn and soybean harvest progress with Mike.

October 21: During the second segment, Stan and Mike discuss pending child farm labor law changes, and the unfortunate wild animal escape in Muskingum County.

October 14: This week Connie and Mike are "live" at the Fair with junior livestock exhibitors Michael Bugg and Justin Taylor, plus FCCA Director Andy Bugg.

October 14: The second half of the show continues at the Fair with junior exhibitor Desirae Logsdon, along with conversation about other Fair activities. 

October 7: The County Fair starts this weekend. Connie and Mike talk about the displays in the Art Hall and other buildings.

October 7: In the second half of the show, the livestock barns and shows are the focus. 

September 30: Fall means harvest, and harvest means farm machinery is out. Connie and Mike begin this week with conversation about safely navigating around farm machinery.

September 30: The show concludes with mushrooms, fungus and the Jr. Fair Lamb MQP program.

September 23: The show kicks off with conversation about this week's Farm Science Review, and harvesting and storing pumpkins.

September 23: We conclude this week with curing gourds, planting spring flowering bulbs, and the upcoming Jr. Fair MQP shows.

September 16: This week's show opens with tips on growing garlic, next week's Farm Science Review, and how to get started composting. 

September 16: Connie and Mike conclude this week by talking about exactly what can be composted.

September 9: With the arrival of cooler temperatures, Connie and Mike discuss fall plantings, fall 'clean-up' and organic matter.

September 9: The show wraps up with upcoming events and Connie's "favorite"

September 2, 2011: This week in the first segment Connie and Mike discuss trees, leaves, and saving seeds.

September 2, 2011: It's a great time of year to be making salsa!

August 26, 2011: In the first segment of this week's show Connie and Mike recap Tomato Tasting, and discuss the 3rd annual State of the County's Ag breakfast.

August 26, 2011: The show concludes with conversation on the local "Shrimp" Field Day, Farm Science Review and crabgrass control issues.

August 19, 2011: This week Mike and Jim Skeeles, retiring OSU Extension Educator, discuss Jim's pending retirement.

August 19, 2011: Mike and Jim discuss the many changes that have impacted agricultural and resulting consumer trends over the years.

August 5, 2011: This special edition of Weekend Gardener is live from the Ohio State Fair and features Jackie Murray who, with her husband, manages the Ohio Cattlemen's Association Steak Barn during the entire run of the Fair.

August 5, 2011: Still live at the Fair, Mike and Connie visit with Fairfield County Queen of Beef Lindsey Miller, and then talk about TOMATOS!.

July 29, 2011: This week OSU AgNR Educator Jim Skeeles sits in for Connie and discusses locust tree damage, the Asian longhorned beetle and emerald ash borer with Mike.

July 29, 2001: In the second half of the show, Jim and Mike talk about the quarantine of firewood, acquiring ash borer treatment information, and insect issues on sweet corn.

July 22, 2011: The show opens with conversation about the impact the intense heat can have on plants.

July 22, 2011: Mike and Connie conclude with discussion about pine weevil, sunflower weevil, and the plant of the week: butterfly weed.

July 15, 2011: This week's show opens with conversation about THE weather, and what's happening out on the farm.

July 15, 2011: Connie and Mike conclude the show with tips for controlling Japanese beetles, and this week's favorite, Swiss Chard.

July 8, 2011: In the first segment of this week's show, Connie and Mike discuss "water water water" and Day Lilies

July 8, 2011: The show concludes with conversation about black walnut toxicity and poison ivy

July 1, 2011: Dealing with weather related, plant disease issues

July 1, 2011: More plant issues, plus Connie's Favorite (cone flowers)!

June 24, 2011: The weather continues to plague gardening and farming efforts, and the discovery of Asian Longhorn Beetle threatens all our trees

June 24, 2011: In the second half of this week's show, Connie and Mike discussed tomato blossom end rot, Connie's favorites and upcoming events

June 17, 2011: Sitting in for Connie this week, Stan shares an update on the local farming situation with Mike

June 17,2011: This week's show concludes with a conversation on fish farming in the County, and an upcoming fish field day at OSU's Piketon Research Station.

June 10, 2011: This week's show led off with conversation on the impact of hot weather on plants, and care of hanging baskets.

June 10, 2011: To conclude the show, Connie and Mike talked about "canner's corner" and upcoming Backyard Gardener programs.

June 3, 2011: This week's show kicked off with a conversation about highway safety with all the farm machinary presently on the roads, bagworms and ugly tree leaves.

June 3, 2001: The 2nd half of the show concluded with conversation on the maple petiole borer causing maple leaves to drop, and brown rot on fruit.

May 27, 2011: This week Stan sits in for Connie and he and Mike discuss THE weather and it's impact on corn, soybeans and wheat

May 27, 2011: During the second half of the show we talked about "tent cats", mosquitoes and landscape concerns

May 20, 2011: The first half of this week's show featured "weather challenges" and Emerald Ash Borer Week

May 20, 2001: We concluded the show talking about the yellow "flower" we're seeing in the fields, mulching myths, and pruning hedge

May 13, 2011: We focused on the weather, and controlling carpenter bees to begin the program

May 13, 2011: During the second half of the show we discussed honey bee concerns, and Connie's "favorites"

May 6, 2011: The first half of this week's show featuring weather woes, planting issues and lawn care concerns

May 6, 2011: Part 2 of this week's program includes dandelion control, termites, carpenter ants, and Dining With Diabetes

April 29, 2011: Part 1 of this week's show featuring mulch, pruning, grubs and insects

April 29, 2001: The second half of the show featuring asparagus growing tips, tulips, and the latest at OSU Extension

April 22, 2011: First segment, featuring THE weather, National Egg Salad Week and Backyard Gardener

Aprill 22, 2011: Segment 2 of this week's show featuring European ash borer, and Connie's favorite flower, pansies!