Question
I live in So Cal, low desert/inland Temecula/Riverside.  I have a hedge of photinia's around our basketball court.  They are all about 10 years old.  In one 4 foot section, the plants just keep dying.  The rest are healthy as could be.  It isn't the red spot fungus.  The plants turn yellow and die.  They are on an irrigation system that runs five minutes every 12 hours.  They may be getting more water than the other plants due to proximity to other sprinklers.  We had a gopher but haven't seen him for over a year.  I never fertilize but all of my plants are doing great.  I have replanted this area at least 4 times.  Should I just dig out all of the soil, throw it away and start over?  Our water is very hard (calcium deposits on all plant leaves).   Thank you.

Answer
Hi Janie, It sounds like they are drowning from your description.  Check you pH, make sure it is in the 5-6 range. Dig up one of the dead/dying plants.  Is there water left in the hole?  If so, you either need to change to a plant more tolerant of water or raise the bed and plant the photinias higher, 5-6 inches higher. They should look like they are on top of a hill.  Your soil should be your native soil.  If should be loosened with organic matter added, but don't over improve the soil.  No more than 1/3 soil amendment to 2/3 your soil. Jim