Q:  I planted a wide variety of plants around my new home. My summer phlox and China doll roses are in one bed and trailing lantana in another bed. All are yellowing, phlox is losing its leaves, and lantana is not blooming. I prepared the beds with compost and then covered all with additional compost. I did not do anything else. I am now starting organic and put dried molasses and Garrett Juice down today. What else should I do and is there anything else I should do or can do to help the plants faster?  T.L., Plano.

A:  All you can do is use better bed preparation next time. Flowers need the well stirred mixture of all the amendments prior to planting for best results.  The amendments on the surface will help but will take much longer to work.