A soil-based mix with added material like composted leaf bark or leaf mould will help to hold more moisture, and to let air circulate around the roots.

Supplemental watering of established plants is beneficial during very dry months. Watering in the fall and winter is essential too. This helps to keep the roots moist once the ground freezes. Freezing temperatures can rob a plant of moisture and lead to winter desiccation. This damage often appears in early spring when needles appear yellow or brown. The addition of good quality compost before planting is essential to provide good growing conditions where garden soil is heavy. Needles turning brown and dropping off is a desperate attempt by your plant to shepherd its resources but, unless you take action, this is unlikely to be enough to save it. 4) Choose The Right SpotWhen establishing, trim any off-shooting or wayward branches or growth with secateurs or shears. Ensure the tools are sharp and disinfected before use to reduce the risk of damage or of disease taking hold after pruning. Cut the branch at an angle of around 60 degrees but avoid cutting anywhere near the collar of the branch (the raised area of bark at the branch base), as this could damage it. Always trim larger branches several inches away from the collar. Use secateurs on branches smaller than 1/2" diameter and shears or a pruning saw on larger ones.

The same applies to autumn pruning. Resources are low at this time, so your conifers will have difficulty recovering from pruning. Planting a conifer is easy, but worth doing carefully to ensure it settles in well and thrives for years to come. As the ratio of roots to soil changes, it gets exponentially harder for the conifer to get the nutrients it requires. Conifers are best pruned in late autumn or early spring. However, dead, diseased or damaged branches should be removed on sight, irrespective of season. Unlike other woody plants, conifers do not require frequent pruning because they cannot regrow new leaves and shoots from old branches, therefore, make sure a large fraction of fresh, green branches remain after pruning.Garden conifers offer a varied palette of colors, textures, and forms. They will be outstanding additions for decades. With careful consideration of their mature height and spread when placed in your garden. Make your plant selection based on the following factors: The most common cause of brown patches is adverse growing conditions - waterlogged soil, prolonged frosts or chilling north of easterly winds. Just spray with an insecticide on the months this pest is likely to appear. This will keep your conifer looking lively! Conifers offer rich shades of silvery blue, gold, orange, purple, and chartreuse. Many go through seasonal color changes. Bicolor conifers, with two colors on the same needle, can display variegated or patterned foliage. Often hanging like decorative ornaments, cones are produced in various colors and shapes. Grow Confidently with Monrovia Conifers Dig your planting hole wider than your conifers container. This helps ensure the surrounding soil is broken up, allowing your conifers roots to spread outwards.