BE SURE TO PLUCK ALL WEEDS FROM GARDEN.

Byline: JANE GATES Gardening

SANTA CLARITA - Look at those weeds grow.

They've enjoyed the late rains just as much as the wildflowers and the garden flowers have.

And they're sure to spread their seeds all over your garden as soon as they finish flowering - if you let them.

So make sure to pull them out first. The deep-rooted dandelions and mustard plants come up best when the soil is damp. You need to pull the whole root or they will grow back. Make sure you don't just toss them on the surface to work back into the soil and grow again.

If you don't have time to dig those dandelion plants and you see a flower, snatch it off and throw it away before it sets seed. Don't drop it because it will dry up and set seed right there on the ground where you leave it and blow new seedlings into your lawn and garden.

Also beware of the foxtail grasses. They are graceful when they blow in the winds, but they burrow into clothing and can be downright dangerous to pets by penetrating into the delicate skin between toes, in ears and around other tender areas. The long, thin curved, sharp seeds of those tiny pink-flowering weeds called ``cranesbills'' - that are actually true geraniums - also can cause trouble when caught in clothing, hair or pet fur.

Whether you are concerned with stopping the spread of these pesky weeds, the comfort and safety of yourself, your children and your pets or simply the good maintenance of your garden and lawn, I'd advise you get out there and weed, weed and weed some more.

Think about how big these little weeds will be growing in a month or so and how much more work they will be when entrenched in the soil. Then think about when they dry out and get tough. Then think about fire season coming just around the corner.

Once you've done your weeding, it's time to check out all the goodies you can start planting. With the exception of the few winter annuals, vegetables and native plants, just about everything can be planted now.

Young plants in smaller containers will catch up to older plants in about a month so you can save money by buying small. This is especially true of annuals and vegetables. Some perennials take a year or so to get established so they may require an extra year to perform the catch-up magic, and if you want a full looking garden you have a choice of either buying large or filling in with annuals for a year.

Some trees grow faster than others, but they will take years to grow big. That's why each container size costs appreciably more. Balance out how much you want the shade and appearance versus your budget, and chose appropriately.

While the weather is comfortable for working, this is a great time to get out there and weed your lawns and gardens. Then reward yourself with some planting. Buy yourself at least one special plant - just because it's something you want. You'll deserve it after all that weeding.