yesterday while out inspecting the spring progress of my garden i noticed that one of my 3 alder trees was covered in green fly. I had intended washing this off this morning with soapy water ( which works for my lilium in the summer) but this morning rain has prevented this.My question is why is this tree being attacked. It was planted last spring and is other wise healthy. I have Scots pine, willow, ash, hazel and haw thorn planted nearby, are these susceptible too? i prefer not to use chemicals in the garden.
We have a large garden with heavy marl soil that water sits on after rain. In dry weather in summer it dries and cracks. Is it worth while trying to drain this?. The soil can be dark and sticky and is difficult to dig. Last spring I tried to grow vegetables and fruit bushes in a raised bed. This bed became waterlogged also. I had dug in manure and compost. Should I try again with a higher bed? I also want to grow a hedge, something that likes its feet in water.