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Inside browning

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From: Marcia Kruse City: Palmyra, VA
I just planted janed gold arborvitae. Our soil is clay, so I mixed a 2-1-1 mix of topsoil, peat and compost to plant with. Some of the bushes are brown on the inside. I am watering right now every other day, since our weather is relatively warm here through October. Am I watering too much or too little?
	Extension Message From: Richard Hentschel Extension Educator, Horticulture DuPage/Kane/Kendall Unit hentsche@illinois.edu
Needle decline in the interior at some point during a growing season is normal. Do not over water as your backfill material will hold water and the clay surrounding soil will not allow it to drain away easily. With limited information, I can suggest that you may be overwatering.
From: Marcia Kruse City: Palmyra, VA
Thank you for your response regarding the 7 janed gold arborvitae that I planted. You felt I may be overwatering. But what I need to know is how often should I water them? The bushes right now are 11/2 ft tall and planted in a mix of top soil, peat and a compost. Surrounding soil is clay. I told you I was giving them a gallon of water at a time every other day. Should I only water 1-2 times per week or more. Please could you let me know.
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