Q: I would like to plant a flower bed where I have burned yard trash for many years. The ashes have been removed but will flowers grow in this soil?

A: I’d bet the soil is still pretty alkaline. You have two choices: plant some inexpensive bedding plants and see how they do between now and May or take some soil to your Extension office (1-800-ASKUGA1) and have them test the soil pH to see if it is still too high.