Hello everyone! My name is Anna and I manage your local Harvest Garden Centre on the corner of Vincent Massey and Powerdam road in Cornwall and I’m here to answer you’re Gardening Questions.

This month we have two great questions! For the first question we have “How do I keep my soil moist? I find I’m always having to water it.”

The first thing is to grab a clump of soil and squeeze. If it’s not keeping its shape I’d recommend digging the soil up and loosening it. This will allow the water to penetrate easier. At this point, it’s a good idea to add some compost and work it in.

A layer of Shredded cedar mulch on top can keep the moisture down and save you water. You’re also lowering the temperature of the soil and the earthworms love it too.

Increasing the life in the soil will make those plants happy. Weeds are suppressed by not letting the light get to the soil. This won’t allow the weed seeds to germinate. The water evaporates slower allowing the plants to not dry up so fast.

The second question is “How do I trim and care from my Dipladenia / Mandevilla that is now almost 10 feet tall?”

If your Mandevilla is almost 10 feet tall, congratulations that’s a huge plant!

You’re going to want to trim where the branching is green. You don’t want to be cutting it too far back where the stems are brown. It will be hard on the plant if it’s cut back that much. Also, when you bring it out give it some fertilizer through the water.

If you would like me to answer one of your questions next month you can send your question to me at info@theseeker.ca attention Ask Anna.

I hope everyone has a fantastic month and be sure to stop by Harvest and say hi!