Question
Hello - I live in Sacramento, CA and on 4/11/08 planted a 5 gal. Spearmint Juniper (in full sun) using products Amend and Soil Buster (for clay soil).  I used 1/2 Amend, 1/2 native soil, 1 lb. Soil buster and 1 quart solution Miracle-Gro Quickstart. My dilemma - in just one week the bottom appears to be a little brown, dry, and brittle to the touch.  What could I have done wrong? Have I overwatered (I did saturate the area a couple of times within this week).  This is the first thing I have ever planted myself and I don't want to lose the Juniper.  Thank you for your time.

Answer
Sounds like over watering. Junipers and arborvitae are very drought tolerant and will survive in times of water shortages.They grow even in the poorest soil conditions.  Poorly drained soil and watering them too often is the main reason these plants struggle or die.

Water only when the soil is dry and then water only until the soil is damp not wet.