Strawberries should be watered anytime the top inches of soil are dry. Water strawberries in the morning for best results. If leaves are discolored, fruits are not as flavorful, or growth is odd, check if you are over or underwatering your plant. The importance of properly watering strawberries cannot be overstated—without proper irrigation, you won’t be able to harvest the juicy fruit that makes growing your own strawberries a worthwhile effort. Strawberries have shallow root systems. This makes them especially sensitive to water deficit and a water-stressed plant can’t produce the juicy berries you are craving. Overwatering strawberries also backfires and causes problems such as rotting. Here is what you need to know about how much to water strawberries and when. How Often to Water Strawberries Water newly planted strawberries thoroughly immediately after planting and then daily for the first week after planting. In the second week after planting, switch to an every other day schedule, unless the weather is very hot and dry. As the plants get established, transition to a weekly watering schedule. During the active growing season between spring and fall, strawberries need at least 1 inch of water per week, or often enough to keep the top layer of soil moist. As it depends on different factors how often strawberries need water, the watering frequency ranges between daily to once or twice a week (less if there is abundant rainfall). Strawberries need the most water during the fruit production stage and up the harvest. If there is no abundant rainfall during harvest time, that’s the time when you need to water strawberry plants the most often. As soon as you see flowers form, start monitoring the soil moisture closely. Because container plants dry out much faster than strawberries planted in garden soil, potted strawberries need to be watered more often. Check the soil moisture level every morning and water the strawberries once or twice daily, depending on the weather and how fast the soil dries out. The smaller the pot, the more often you need to water. Mulch to Maintain Moisture Levels Spreading a 1-inch layer of organic mulch such as wood chips around your strawberry plants keeps the soil moist and helps to reduce the watering frequency. Make sure not to cover the center (crown) from where new growth emerges. When to Water Strawberries While there is no hard-and-fast rule about how often you need to water strawberries, the best time of the day to water them is in the morning. Watering them early in the day prepares them for a hot day in the sun and it’s much better than at night when foliage takes much longer to dry, with the inherent risk of fungal diseases spreading. However, during a heat wave this should not deter you from watering the plants again in the evening if the soil is dry. Insert a finger in the soil—if the top inches feel dry, the plants should be watered no matter what time of the day it is. How to Water Strawberries The best method to water strawberries in garden soil is drip irrigation or a soaker hose. It not only saves water, but also keeps the foliage and fruit dry. Place the system so that it gets the soil around the plants wet but leave some distance to the growing berries. Water container-grown strawberries with a watering can, taking care not to get the leaves wet. No matter which watering method to use, water enough so that the soil is slightly damp but not dry or soggy. Signs of Overwatering Overwatering strawberries is not only wasteful, but it also has detrimental effects on the strawberries. These include: Root rot, a fungal infection that occurs in wet soil with poor drainage. Wilting of the plants, indicating oversaturated soil that lacks air pockets with oxygen. Brown or yellow leaves, especially at the tips of the leaves. Slow overall growth. Diluted flavor.1 If you have overwatered your strawberries, let them dry out before restarting a more conservative watering routine. Signs of Underwatering Typically, older strawberry plants are more prone to show signs of underwatering than young plants because they are less able to retain water. The following are typical indicators for underwatered plants: Dry, crisp leaves. Smaller leaves than those of properly watered strawberries. Less growth with fewer runners, crowns, and leaves. Fewer flowers, resulting in fewer and smaller fruits. Water your plants thoroughly and adjust your watering routine to avoid repeated water depravation, which weakens the plant further.

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is a fragrant and drought-tolerant perennial herb in the mint family that grows as a rounded, evergreen shrub with slender, needle-like, gray-green leaves on erect woody stems. Clusters of small, light blue to white flowers appear in spring and summer. Plant rosemary in USDA zones 8 to 10 in the spring when temperatures stay between 55 degrees and 80 degrees or grow indoors as a houseplant. Rosemary has a moderate growth rate, reaching its mature size between 2 and 6 feet tall after several years. This is an easy-to-grow culinary herb, favored in cooking for its earthy, citrusy, and peppery taste. How to Plant Rosemary When to Plant Plant rosemary in the spring once the weather has warmed and there is no forecasted frost. Container-grown rosemary can be planted any time of the year. However, it goes dormant during the winter. Where to Plant Place rosemary in a sunny spot with sharp-draining soil. Good companion plants for rosemary include cruciferous vegetables (kale, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts), beans, carrots, and spinach. Rosemary also grows well in containers both outdoors and indoors, as long as it can get enough sunlight. It can be slightly challenging to give rosemary enough light indoors and the plant usually won’t last as long as it does outdoors, which is usually around 10 years. How to Plant Space rosemary shrubs at least two to three feet apart. Plant seedlings and nursery plants at the same depth at which they were growing in their previous container. Seeds should be just barely covered with soil when planting. A support structure is typically not necessary for this shrub. Rosemary Plant Care Light Rosemary likes full sun and does not tolerate any shade. This means it requires at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days. A south-facing window is ideal for indoor growth, and grow lights are often necessary to provide supplemental light. Bring indoor plants outside in warm weather to allow them access to natural sunlight. Inadequate light can cause leggy and weak growth. Soil Use sandy or loamy soil for rosemary. The plant is easy to grow when planted in well-draining soil and it can get root rot in overly wet or cold soil. A slightly acidic to neutral soil pH is ideal. Water Rosemary is quite drought-tolerant once established, and it’s better to water sparingly rather than overwater them. Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out between waterings, and then water so that the soil is evenly moist but not soggy. Temperature and Humidity This shrub likes warm weather and moderate humidity levels. Most rosemary varieties can’t survive temperatures below 30 degrees, but they have good heat tolerance. They prefer temperatures between 55 degrees and 80 degrees. High humidity can lead to rot and fungal issues, especially if there isn’t enough air circulation around the plant. Fertilizer Rosemary is not a heavy feeder. Mixing compost into the soil at the time of planting helps give the shrub a healthy start. Then, use a balanced liquid fertilizer, following label instructions, to promote quality growth. Pollination Rosemary shrubs self-pollinate and attract bees and other pollinators to the garden. Bring indoor plants outdoors in warm weather when their flowers are open to allow the blooms to naturally pollinate. Harvesting Rosemary Harvest rosemary any time of year, though it grows most actively in the spring and summer. Harvest by using pruners to cut off 4- to 6-inch stem tips. Dry rosemary by hanging the stems upside-down in a dry, cool, well-ventilated area, which should take a couple of weeks. Once the stems are dry, strip off the leaves and keep them in an airtight container in a pantry. Use fresh rosemary sprigs or leaves in cooking rather than drying if you prefer. The leaves are most flavorful and aromatic just before the plant blooms. Types of Rosemary There are several types of rosemary to grow, including: ‘Arp’: This plant has light green foliage with a lemony scent, and it’s known for its cold tolerance. ‘Golden Rain’: This plant stays compact at two to three feet high and wide, and it features yellow markings on its foliage. ‘Albus’: The trademark of this cultivar is its white flowers. ‘Prostratus’: This cultivar has a low, spreading growth habit at around two feet high and two to three feet wide. Pruning Prune rosemary as necessary to shape its growth after the plant is done flowering. Rosemary responds well to pruning and can also be trained into topiary shapes. Don’t prune off more than a third of the plant at a time, as this can stress the shrub and leave it vulnerable to diseases and pests. Propagating Rosemary Propagate rosemary with a cutting from a mature plant in the spring or summer. Cut a few inches of healthy new softwood growth and remove the lower leaves (keep a few at the top of the stem). Dip the end of the cutting in rooting hormone if placing it in a moist sandy, soilless potting mix. Or, keep the cutting in a container of fresh water. Either way, place the cutting in a warm, bright spot. The cutting is ready for transplanting after roots form. Rooting rosemary in water produces quicker but more delicate roots. Putting a cutting in sand or soilless mix takes longer but develops stronger roots that may offer the best results when transferring seedlings to the soil. How to Grow Rosemary From Seed Growing rosemary from seeds can be difficult, because they don't germinate easily. You'll be better off getting a seedling from the grocery store or a big-box store. If you want to try growing rosemary from seed, you need soil, seed trays, plastic wrap (if the tray doesn't come with a cover), and ideally a heat mat and grow light. Soak. Soak the rosemary seeds for 24 hours before planting to improve germination. Prep the trays. Fill the seed starting trays with moist seed-starting mix. Plant the seeds. Scatter the seeds on top of the seed starting trays. Increase humidity and warmth. Cover the tray with plastic wrap or a plastic cover to keep humidity high. Set the tray on a heat mat or in a warm location, like on top of the fridge. Maintain ideal conditions. Remove the cover occasionally to allow for some air circulation. Mist soil or bottom water to keep soil moist. Remove plastic. Once the seedlings have sprouted, remove the plastic wrap and put the tray in a bright location, ideally under a grow light. Transfer. Once the seedlings are around 3 inches tall, move them to individual pots, and then outdoors once the weather is warm enough. Potting and Repotting Rosemary Growing rosemary in pots allows you to bring it indoors during cold weather. Keep containers on a patio or deck near your kitchen for easy access. Select a pot that’s slightly larger than the plant’s root ball. Make sure it has drainage holes. An unglazed clay container is best to allow excess soil moisture to evaporate through its walls. Rosemary needs excellent soil drainage, so use a potting mix that contains perlite, which helps keep the soil light and well-aerated. Plan to repot every year into one container size up, using fresh potting mix. The best time to repot is in the spring. Gently loosen the plant from its previous container and situate it at the same depth in the new one, filling around the roots with soil. Overwintering Bring rosemary indoors well before any frost is predicted in the fall forecast. Keep it in a warm room and away from any drafts or drying air from heat vents. Continue providing it with at least six hours of sunlight per day via a bright window and/or grow light. Back off slightly on watering in winter, though don’t allow the soil to fully dry out. Once frost is out of the forecast in the spring, the plant can go back outside. Common Pests & Plant Diseases High humidity and poor air circulation can result in powdery mildew—a white, powdery fungus—on rosemary plants. Powdery mildew typically won't kill a plant, but the disease will weaken it. To prevent powdery mildew, make sure the plant's soil isn't too wet, and provide good airflow. Also, be on the lookout for aphids and spider mites, especially on indoor plants. Use an insecticidal soap as soon as you spot an infestation to prevent it from spreading.

Planting a Chinese fringe tree (Chionanthus retusus) can add a striking focal point in a garden without taking up too much room or creating too much work for a homeowner. This slow-growing, small ornamental tree provides a lot of aesthetic value and wow-factor for its size. Its profuse white blooms and dark purple fruit can be stunning and make this species one to consider adding to your landscape if you are looking for a unique non-native to add. How to Plant a Chinese Fringe Tree While the Chinese fringe tree is ultimately not that fussy, soil is the most significant consideration you need to consider when planting this species. Be sure to test the soil before planting to ensure it is moist, well draining, rich, and acidic. Selecting a Planting Site Picking a planting site for the Chinese fringe tree where the soil is good and the tree will receive plenty of sun. Once those requirements are met, choose a location where it’ll be visible, to take advantage of its ornamental value. Pick a spot where its blooms can be seen during the spring and its interesting bark can be seen during the winter. Spacing, Depth, and Support If planting more than one Chinese fringe tree, the ideal spacing is 15 to 20 feet apart. This distance will provide enough area for each tree to get enough sunlight to achieve its best blooms. When planting, you will want to ensure the depth is twice as wide as the root ball is deep. Once planted, you will not need to support the tree as most Chinese fringe trees on the market are multistemmed. Care As fabulous as it looks, the Chinese fringe tree is surprisingly low maintenance and problem-free if you provide it with the right conditions. Plant Chinese fringe trees in an area that receives full sun. Ensure the tree's soil is acidic and well-draining. Water the Chinese fringe tree often in dry weather. Prune Chinese fringe trees sparingly. Light The Chinese fringe tree prefers full sun to part shade but to guarantee that your tree produces a profuse amount of blooms you must provide your tree with full sun. Soil Providing organically rich, well-draining, and moist soil will give your Chinese fringe tree the best chance of thriving. Aim for soil with a low pH (under 7.0). Water Keeping your Chinese fringe tree well-watered is essential to keep it producing plenty of flowers. This particular species does not tolerate excessively dry weather and needs to be watered more in dry conditions, or its health and ornamental qualities will suffer noticeably. Temperature and Humidity The Chinese fringe tree is not incredibly fussy regarding temperature and humidity. It will be happy if you keep it situated in the recommended USDA hardiness zones of 5 through 9. Fertilizer While not necessary for the tree's health, providing a Chinese fringe tree with supplemental fertilizer will enhance its blooms. A yearly application of flowering tree or shrub fertilizer will support its flower production. Pruning Pruning Chinese fringe tree should be kept to a minimum. Being a multistemmed tree, they look best with a natural, untended look. When there are branches that are dead, damaged, or crowding each other, pruning is recommended. Propagating Propagating a Chinese fringe tree is notoriously difficult, both from cuttings and by seed, and the average hobby gardener is unlikely to succeed. Your best bet at getting another Chinese fringe tree is purchasing it. Common Pests and Plant Diseases Fortunately the Chinese fringe tree does not suffer from many pests or diseases, and its issues usually do not threaten the tree's life. The most significant concern when dealing with pests may be mites, which can easily be treated. You will not run into many disease issues beyond superficial powdery mildew, which can be treated easily with a fungicide available at any nursery or home center. How to Get a Chinese Fringe Tree to Bloom To encourage your Chinese fringe tree to bloom profusely, plant it in full sun and clear away anything that shades the tree during the day. That action alone will elevate your blooms. Provide a yearly dose of fertilizer and provide it with a steady supply of water. Without enough water, its flower production will stall.