The "May Menace" has arrived. You know ... that nasty yellow powder that's currently coating everything in sight. This is pollen from the Ponderosa pines. Like the constantly falling needles, this is another price we have to pay for living among these beautiful trees. Luckily, it doesn't last long and will be gone soon.

The flowering dogwood trees are currently showing off their finery. And of course, the ever-popular lilacs. They are one of the easiest shrubs to grow. Dig a hole where they'll get sun, plop them in and with a few good drinks of water, they're off and running. I always marvel at how they are often still growing and blooming 50 years after a homestead has been abandoned.

At long last ... we can stop hauling those tender annuals indoors at night and back out every morning. The ground should be warmed up enough so they can be planted. Be sure to read those tags as they have good information regarding eventual width and height. They also tell you whether they need sun or shade, etc. As always, keep an eye on the forecasts.

My favorite job is planting big patio pots. I avoid small ones as they need to be watered daily and sometimes twice daily if the weather turns hot or windy.

If you are new to this, here are the steps to take:

* Decide where the pot will "live."

* The pot may be made of anything from ceramic to plastic as long as it has drainage holes in the bottom.

* Choose the plants, using a color scheme of 2 or 3 colors that go together.

* Be sure these plants all require the same sun or shade exposure

* If the pot is tall, you can get away with using less potting soil by putting a layer of pine cones or other inert materials in the bottom.

* Now, for the fun part. Once you have filled the container with potting soil, set your little plants on top, move them around until you like the way they look and pot away.

* Remember the old adage when creating pots of mixed plants: You will need a thriller, a filler and a spiller ... tall, bushy and trailing plants.

* Place the pot in a shady area for a few days, water well and enjoy!

You don't always need to start with an empty pot. I have several that have perennial plants in them. I cut the old leaves back when new growth has started in the spring and they look great when it's time to add their summer buddies. Some of the best plants for this are heucheras, aka coral bells. These have been crossbred to create many gorgeous new ones which sport leaves in colors ranging from chartreuse to peach to nearly black.

When it comes tochoosing the trailers, there are many groundcovers that do a great job. Some of the best are Creeping Jenny, Creeping Charlie and various types of lamium. But beware, these are called groundcovers for a reason. If you plant any of them in the ground, be prepared for them to "take over." That's OK, if youhave a huge area you want covered, but if you think you're going to confine them to a small area, all I can say is good luck!

In case you missed it last time, here's a second reminder about the Post Falls Garden Club annual plant sale. The date is June 8, time is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., NO EARLY BIRDS, please. Location is 416 E. Third St. in Post Falls.

We gardeners are scurrying around like ants at a picnic as this is our busiest time of the year. We are digging, planting, trimming, watering and who knows what else. Of course, none of us would give it up for anything.

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 is an active member of the River City Gardeners Club in Post Falls.