Weeds...this year I am trying the newspaper trick. Put down several layers of newspaper. Weeds can't get thru them. I saw it last year in someone's vegetable garden. It works.

Ants and cornmeal...I think I just read something about that in a tips post here yesterday.

My garden...someone from the city just came yesterday to talk to me. They have a rain garden program here in my town. If you plant an approved rain garden they give you a freeeeee rain barrel and a bit of a break on your water bill. I signed up over the winter and the person came out to check the location and approve it. I can't wait to get started. My rain barrel arrived today! I'm planting astilbe, lobelia cardinalis, some grasses and Queen of the Prairie.