After mid-May in Northeast Ohio when the coast is clear of frost, I focus my gardening efforts on weed control and planting annuals.

I find the best way to remove weeds, involves manually pulling them one at a time from the soil. Grab the weed at the bottom of the stem near the soil and pull. Pull weeds after it has rained when the soil is wet and they will slip right out.

Once I start pulling weeds, I get on a roll. Weeds beware, not even the prickly, the stubborn, or the creeping spreading suckers are safe with me around.

If there’s a large patch of weeds I’ll use a weed killer spray first, wait a few days and then pull what’s left of them out by hand.

Weeding can be tedious work, but I enjoy the scents and sounds of spring, and the sight of perennials popping up after a long winter’s nap. Plus, clearing a garden of weeds provides great satisfaction. One can really see the difference they’ve made in the garden.

Once weed control has been set in motion, I switch gears and begin planting annuals. Around the fourth week of May I plant seeds and small plants.

My favorite annuals include basil, geraniums, marigolds, portulaca and sunflowers. They grow well in sunny spots.

This year I’m also planting specimens that thrive in shade including Impatiens, hostas, tropical looking ferns and colorful Coleus.

Happy gardening!