Ok, first of all, the zone doesn't matter if you keep it indoors, and yes it should be inside where you live. Second, a finger isn't terrible, but not half as good as leaving a plain chopstick in the soil all the time (for a time anyhow) and pulling it out like a dipstick every day to touch your inner wrist to see if it's wet all over, damp halfway down, etc. and if it's dry ~ halfway down, that's when you water til it comes out the drain hole (always water this way, slowly, so all the roots do get some, and not in little bits every day which just gets the top layer wet). Your tree may be staying too wet all the time because the soil's bad (a lot of 'cheap' bonsai come in potting soil, full of peat and holding water too long), so you may need to repot, with no layers, but a mix of 1/3 soil with larger particles (a garden centre's the place to look) and 2/3 grit - there are many kinds you can use, from small aquarium gravel (the glassy looking stuff) to akadama - an expensive product only available online from bonsai places, unless you have a dedicated bonsai store nearby (NOT a big box store that happens to sell lots of little 'bonsai' but no good supplies). If you're in a rural area, a farm feed store would have chicken grit, which is very good, as would be crushed lava or pumice. Olives are Meditarranean, from dry, hot places with very gritty 'soil' - not black garden stuff that's good for flowers or veggies. Lighting is also important, and if you can at least afford a 'full spectrum' fluorescent (there are newer ones that will say so) kept no more than 6 inches away from the tree for 15 hours a day your tree will appreciate it! Otherwise (if you more money) I'd recommend a 4' long fluor. fixture and a "T5" full spectrum bulb or two, but do your best for now. Don't be intimidated by watering - just remember, olives will die sooner if most of the soil stays wet all the time than if it dries out a bit too much once in a while.

Is the tree in a pot or is it planted in the ground? From the picture it looks like the tree is on a wooden patio. If the tree is in a pot, it is probably suffering from tangled roots and nutrient-deficient soil. You should plant it in the ground. If you see any roots that are obviously wrapping around (such as in this picture http://www.flickr.com/photos/imarcc/2568829676/ ) you should try to gently untangle them. If you don't feel confident that you can untangle them without damaging them, plant them in the ground as is. If you're able to keep the soil around it moist for the duration of the summer (ie. by watering at least twice a week), it should survive. Here are some more detailed instructions: http://www.arborday.org/trees/planting/containerized.cfm This post was edited by bluecone on Mon, Jun 16, 14 at 21:38

Lav: It's just that fridge and big sink on that wall seem to eat up all the countertop. Plus, the fridge needs like, 4" minimum clearance against a fixed wall... I wish that wall were a little longer cause I'd love to have the fridge to the left of the sink like that. I always seem to want to prep to the left of the sink. I don't know if I can change that habit, can I? I get having a prep sink closer to the stove, but this copper sink is made for prep with the cutting board that sits on the ledge and the drain tray. Not to mention that after what that thing cost, DH will probably throw up if I mention getting another sink, lol. Bellsmom: I was told that having the whole wall open is a problem with structural stuff. That's why DH wants a rustic railing with upright beams in part of the opening. I can't tell exactly but the island makes the walk around about 30"... seems too close to the step down for safety? Rosie: Your words are food for thought. I am definitely a sink/window prepper. I tend to live in front of the sink for some reason. Don't really see myself doing too much between the fridge and stove (in the original layout) And, as I said above, I tend to want to work to the left of the sink. Angie's idea is very appealing though. I like the smaller area to cook in and less walking around. I like the fridge out of the main area, so anyone can get something without, 'excuse me'. The one thing DH does is make adult beverages (killer old fashioneds for those familiar with Wisconsinites) and we're always in each others way when that happens. I thought a bar sink over by the window could double as a kind of prep sink and I'd have mondo storage over there, too. But, it does close up the room somewhat, at least for traffic, but maybe not in a bad way. Idaho: thanks for the info and I was kinda thinking that empty corner could be a safe cubby or something like that. Keep our Cracken in there, lol. Marcolo: are you saying to leave the fridge as it is in Angies plan? I'll have to play around with that configuration, too. Thank you...

responses have been posted at same thread elsewhere go to http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/3816362/whats-wrong-with-my-plants-please-help?n=3