When it comes to gardening trends, small is beautiful. Look up - hanging flower baskets are hot right now. Look down - containers can brighten a deck or patio without anyone having to pull acres of weeds.

May is when gardening season moves into high gear, and advice is plentiful from nurseries and gardens in the Federal Way area. Following are tips for the novice as well as the seasoned gardener.

Avril Steele, head gardener of PowellsWood, recommends using containers to keep your deck or yard looking beautiful without all the work of weeding. The garden's recent Mother's Day event included a planter tutorial and "great plant picks." Steele added that containers are the ideal option for those who don't have much time for gardening.

Steele also recommends using good soil. Avoiding chemicals and using mulch can make a big difference in the overall quality and health of the plants in your garden, she said.

Gardeners at Kelly Gardens, a local nursery, say the most important thing to remember is to put the right plant in the right spot. If shade plants should never be exposed to direct sunlight, conversely full-sun plants should be planted in a sunny spot.

May is also basket season. Planting hanging containers can be fun and easy. At Lowe's Hardware and Garden, some of the most popular flowers being purchased right now are petunias, impatiens and begonias. All of these are perfect for baskets and according to Lowe's employees, are flying off the shelves.

Watering baskets correctly is important. Kelly Gardens recommends watering hanging baskets until water pours out the holes in the bottom of the basket. Not watering hanging baskets adequately is a common mistake.

Karen Ramsey, master gardener and manager of Jan's Plants and Gifts, says her shop specializes in creating specialty baskets.

"It's finally warming up enough for people to be thinking about their yards," says Ramsey. Popular flowers in their custom-made baskets include geraniums, petunias and fuchsias.

As far as gardening tips go, Ramsey agrees with Steele, saying "Look to the soil." If it needs improvement, add compost.

Ramsey also recommends adding structure to your yard. She says people can end up disappointed if they only plant annuals, which will die quickly and take a full year to return. Think about planting trees and shrubs as well.

And if you're looking for inspiration, Federal Way's Marine Hills neighborhood holds a secret. Inside its 42 acres is the two-acre PowellsWood garden, a perfect example of the horticulture "hot bed" that is Western Washington.

This region is unique in its environment in that it is able to support many non-native species of plants. Even tropical plants can thrive spring through fall. The plants at PowellsWood include non-native species. This garden is an ideal place to view the beauty of nature and view unusual flowers.

The owners of PowellsWood, Monte and Diane Powell, believe in "restoring the soul" through visiting nature. Head gardener Steele believes the garden is a place your can go to calm down and relax even if you've just had a bad morning. "From there, you can go on your way back into the fast lane," she says.

Monte Powell purchased the 42 acres in 1992. The former owner had lived deep in the woods and used the land as a dump site. In 1997 the property was cleaned up. Before buying the land, Powell had petitioned King County to preserve it as a part of its parks system. After the request was refused, Powell purchased the property.

Beyond the two-acre garden, the property is largely undeveloped forest, with a single trail running through it.

The Powells have started a conservation easement process through the non-profit organization, The Garden Conservancy. This process will ensure the preservation of the garden as a space for the enjoyment of the community.

Cailin Magruder is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory.