Q: Why do some folks mound up their soil and then plant right on the mound? I see that done a lot around town. Is it better to plant them high? It seems like the soil will just wash away.

A: Gardeners and landscapers mound up their soil because they recognize the critical importance of root zone drainage for most flowers. Pansies and petunias, in particular, require good drainage around their roots in order to thrive. If you plant pansies in hard clay soil they will quickly decline and die.

My standard recommendation is to mix a two cubic foot bag of soil conditioner into every ten square feet of bed before planting any type of flower in your garden.