Question
There are two,(and only two) places in my garden where nothing I seem to plant grows. They are in two spaces on either side of my porch. At one time there were two evergreens which I pulled many years ago, but since then every flowering shrub I plant there dies within a week. Will plant food or topsoil help?  Thanks

Answer
I hate to say this, mainly because no one wants to be bothered, but the perfect solution to this is screaming off the page:

GET YOUR SOIL TESTED.

Tell me where you live and I'll get you the contact information.

Don't try to shortcut this and guess what your soil needs.  That NEVER works.  Save your money.  Test.  Zipcode, please,

THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER