Question
I just purchase a house that was on an acre with just pine tree they remove all the pine and the soil is clay what can I do the help improve the quality of the soil so I can garden, plant flowers and tree?

Answer
Hi Pamela, clay is good.  It has good water and nutrient retention.  However, clay particles are so small, they pack down and slow drainage and root development.  If you plant things that like clay, little soil work has to be done.  If you plan on planting non-native plants, then just till the soil as deep as you can and incorporate some organic matter to help keep the soil from packing.  Leaves, compost or finely ground pine bark(or a combination of these) make great soil additives.  Adding this material raises your soil line to help improve the drainage for plants that don't like "wet feet".
Check your pH and adjust it to the needs of your plants.  A pH of 5.5 is good for azaleas, hollies, dogwoods.  A pH of 6.5 is better for most flowers, vegetables, boxwoods and turf.
Always "plant high" in clay soils. The top of the rootball should be at least an inch and with some plants as high as 4 inches above your soil line.  Gravity then pulls water down, allowing air to fill the soil surface.  Bring your soil up to, but not on top of, your rootball, so when you are done, plants look like they are planted on a little hill.  Jim