Question
The flowers on the north side of my house do not flourish as they should.  We have a large pine tree near the beds and they get a lot of pine needles.  I think that is the problem but don't know what to add to the soil to help the flowers.  These are flowers that normally do well in shade.   Can you tell me what to add to the soil?  Thanks.

Answer
Hi Joyce, Loosen the soil thoroughly and work in compost or finely ground pine bark.  Each annual should have a loosened rootzone of at least 10" wide and 6" deep.  Check you pH.  Often it's too acidic under pine trees.  You'll need a pH of 6-7.  If the pH is not within range, many of the nutrients the plant needs are locked up in form unavailable to the plant.
Fertilize them often and closely monitor the soil moisture.  The ground will dry rapidly under the pine.
You'll need to loosen the soil every year.  The pine tree roots quickly invade your loosened soil.  Jim