The first rule of a farmers market is, if you didn’t grow it, bake it or make it, you can’t sell it. That was the case this past weekend, as neighbors put their vendor hats on and kicked off the season for two markets’ opening weekends in Cary and Apex.

The Apex Farmers Market and the Downtown Cary Farmers Market had a quiet but steady start, the sellers reacquainting themselves with friends from last season.

“It’s been fun talking to people,” said Pat Jones of Buzz On In, a honey and soap business she brings to the Apex market every Saturday, made from her five bee hives in Apex.

Most vendors were just happy to chat, confident traffic would pick up in about a month, when produce is king.

Debbie Lucia was among the dozen vendors who set up a tent early Saturday at the depot on historic Salem Street in Apex. She gave samples from a line of food called Tastefully Simple, offering beer bread, cake and chipotle chili dip.

“We’ve had some steady traffic, but not a lot of sales so far,” she said, trying to keep her lids from blowing away in the breeze.

Next door was Jennifer DeMinico selling “whoopie pies,” which are two cookie-like cakes with a creamy filling — a recipe she brought from her native Massachusetts.

A couple steps away, Charlie Vanderlip sold “southern style” sourdough, which is supposed to be on the sweeter side, courtesy of his wife Ida’s recipe.

“What’s her name made them,” he said playfully, gesturing to Ida, who was busy greeting just about everyone. Vanderlip said vendors help each other set up in the morning and have become friends over the past few years.

“I don’t know the man at the end,” he said, referring to a plant stand with a smiling young man standing at the ready. “But if he comes back next week, everyone’ll help him out.”

J.C. Knowles, the Apex ambassador and creator of the market, was in attendance. He said he expects foot traffic to pick up next month, especially during Peak Fest.

“We’ve got three more vegetable vendors coming the first of May,” Knowles said. “We should have some strawberries next week.”

Knowles said he started the market three years ago by word of mouth. He’s also planning special events: a chili cook-off when the weather turns cooler and live music during the summer months.

“It brings people downtown,” he said. “I walk the streets every day and people love it.”

Other vendors on hand included: NV Soy All Natural Candles, Baking by Bonnie and Designing Daisy with her “fun fur” scarves — which she gave away to a few ladies when she found the perfect match to their outfits.

Over in Cary, vendors reported slightly better sales.

The market has traditionally been located by the Amtrak station, but this year moved to Chatham Square, about one mile east. The shopping center had plenty of space for the 14 or so vendors, and parking a-plenty.

Annelore Gstattenbauer, a Germany native and private chef, brought her Bavarian treats: homemade pretzels, pear sheet cakes and a strawberry lemon curd tart, to name a few. Near the end of the day, her table was nearly empty.

“I got up at 2 a.m. this morning,” she said about the fresh baked abundance disappearing from her table.

Queen Beads owner Denise Kanyuh and daughter Melissa Boudreau of Raleigh showed off their handmade necklaces, bracelets and earrings. She said she prefers coming to the Cary market over the larger ones because of the easygoing atmosphere.

“It’s smaller and the people are friendlier,” she said. “With state [farmers market], you have to get there at 5 a.m. and hope you get a spot.”

It was just the first sunny weekend of many to come — both markets run to November.

“This is my first day, and I’m happy to be here,” said Susie Whaley, who was selling daffodils from her business Knott Hill Flower Farm of Durham. “Hopefully with a little warm weather and sunshine, I’ll have more variety soon.”