There is an area in my yard where grass will not grow. It is shaded, near a patch of woods, and on a slight slope. It seems like we replant grass every year, and it will not get established. Any suggestions?

Yes. Stop throwing money away on grass! The very first things that should be considered when siting any plant are its cultural requirements, or “location, location, location.” Many people don’t think about the lawn as a mass of plants, all requiring a special situation in order to thrive. So that said, go at your search backwards: “It is shaded, near a patch of woods, and on a slight slope.” What would work there? The combination of the slope and the tree roots likely also makes the area dry. Under those conditions, you may want to try Epimediums or Geranium macrorrhizum (bigroot geranium). If it’s not real dry, there’s a whole world of shade plants to play with.

I am interested in growing strawberries. What soil, sun, and conditions are best for them? J.M.

Strawberries, like most fruits and vegetables, require full sun. The soil should drain well, as excess surface moisture will encourage mold on the berries. The soil also should have a very rich level of organic matter. Locate strawberries in an area that will warm up quickly in the spring. It also should freeze in the winter, since strawberries need an extended period of cold to produce fruit. Parts of the country where there are not freezing temperatures, such as California, grow strawberries as annuals, importing them from areas such as Michigan after they have had their requirement of cold.

Last year, I moved some wild purple irises from a shady area to a sunny area. At that time, they bloomed in late May. This year, they had no buds on them at all by May 18. Is there a chance they will bloom this year, or ever? Any recommendations?

It sounds like you moved some blue flag (Iris versicolor). Blue flag will tolerate full sun to light shade, but prefers wet meadows, stream banks and marshes. This has not been a warm spring, as in past years. Their time to bloom is late spring to mid-summer, so give them time. However, make sure there is sufficient moisture in their new location and that you have not transplanted the rhizomes too deep. As with all irises, placing the root systems horizontally just below the soil surface is best. It may take another year before they acclimate to the move and their new site before they establish and bloom.