Newly Planted Junipers Dying: Watering Issues with Mulch and Landscape Fabric

I planted 19 junipers in May in full sun with landscape fabric and cedar mulch. Watered every 3 days for 5–7 minutes each. Three are dead, others browning. What's wrong?

Diagnosis: Water Not Reaching Roots

Mulch absorbs initial water, and landscape fabric redirects it sideways. Your 5-minute sessions likely delivered only 1–2 minutes of actual root-zone watering.

Fix

1. Pull mulch back 6 inches from each base.
2. Cut a 6-inch circle in the fabric around each plant.
3. Pull mulch back under the plant, leaving none touching the stem.
4. Use a water wand at the base of each plant for 1 minute every 5 days.

This keeps soil slightly moist, allowing slight drying between waterings.