I know it's tempting. We're seeing blooming annuals in so many of the stores. This does not mean it's safe to plant them now. Unfortunately most stores have corporate headquarters who send these out to all the stores in the country at the same time.

Try to hold off for a couple more weeks. The average last frost in our area is May 15. Even that is pushing it some years. Watch those weather forecasts. If they predict late frost, you need to either wait or do a lot of covering and uncovering.

Because most perennials are much hardier than annuals, these can be planted much earlier. For the beginning gardener, the difference is that a perennial plant grows and blooms year after year. An annual plant completes its life cycle in one season. They produce leaves, flowers and seeds. Then they die.

To further confuse you, there is another category of plant called biennial. These grow leaves during the first year, but don't bloom until the second year. Luckily, the majority of blooming plants fall into one of the first two categories.

Most of us are "blessed" to have some early blooming yellow flowers. They may look bright and perky, but don't be fooled. It's dandelion time. As soon as you can get out there, start digging these plants out. Be sure to get the whole thing as they have a long tap root. If you don't get that out, the plant will be back. Each dandelion blossom will quickly produce a big puffy seedhead. Try not to let that happen as each head is full of seeds.

Trees full of booms have begun to grace the landscape. So pretty. I'm sure the honeybees are enjoying them. So are the rest of us as they are truly a treat for the eyes.

Hold off on trimming those lilac bushes a bit longer unless you don't care if you cut off the buds. The best time to prune them is a timeframe of about a month, starting right after they bloom.

The daffodils have been at their prettiest this year. We've also been enjoying the hyacinths, crocuses, scilla, violas, primroses and early tulips. The lenten roses have put on a show for the past couple of months.

Many of the hardy perennials are growing like weeds and will be in bloom before long. They are such a treat to look forward to each year.

Vegetable gardeners can be planting seeds of the "cool weather" types such as lettuce, radishes, peas, potatoes and onions. Wait until the end of May or first of June before putting those tomato and pepper plants out. They need warm soil AND warm air temperatures.

Here's a reminder. The annual Plant Expo is slated for May 11, the day before Mother's Day. What a great treat it is. This show is held at the Spokane Community College at 1810 N. Greene in Spokane. Exit north on Freya. Admission is free. Why not invite your mom? You never know when you might need those "brownie points."

Elaine Cerny has gardened most of her life, starting in 4-H. Since then, she has always kept a garden of some sort, growing everything from fruits and vegetables to flowers and house plants. She has belonged to garden clubs in three states and currently the secretary for the River City Gardeners Club in Post Falls.