Question: What can be done to improve the heavy clay soil that is on my property?
Answer: Heavy clay soil can be improved by adding compost . Other amendments  that can help are gypsum and fine gravel. Heavy clay soil retains water for a long time. This may seem  desirable in an area that has some drought  rach year. However, most plants are unhappy with wet feet all the time. Amending the soil  promotes good drainage. 

Question: I have a rhododendron that doesn't bloom. It is three years old . Have you any suggestions?
Answer: Rhododendrons prefer shade and lots of water. If  it already has these conditions, try a bloom booster fertilizer that is high in phosphorus.

Question: My flowering crab apple has orange spots on the leaves and the leaves are falling prematurely. What is the cause?
Answer: Ornamental crab apple trees are subject to the same diseases as other apple trees that are grown for their fruit. Your tree has cedar-apple rust. This disease alternates between cedars and apples, even if they are three miles apart.  There is nothing you can do now. In late winter, spray your crab apple tree with lime and sulphur or any fungicide specified for fruit trees.

Question: Last year my turnip greens were overrun with aphids. Before I start planting them now how can I  prevent the aphids from devouring the greens?
Answer: Keep a watch  as the greens start to sprout. As soon as aphids appear spray the greens with Sevin. Repeat as necessary.  Changing the location of the greens each year may help.

Question: What is the shelf life of Sevin and Malathion ?
Answer: The shelf life of  Sevin is three to five years. The shelf life of Malathion is indefinite. Be sure these and any other pesticides are shelved in a well marked place  away from the reach of children. 

Tip: Here is an all purpose insecticide left for us by Carl Totemeier. Two tablespoons of garlic powder and two tablespoons of  Tabasco sauce, a dash of dishwashing detergent, for each gallon of water. Spray plants thoroughly. Repeat at five to seven intervals until control has been achieved.