The soil is just right for planting in late May: warm, moist and easy to cultivate. Ground that was dug last winter can be readily worked into a planting tilth with a fork, working backwards across the plot, loosening the soil to a depth of 4in or so. Avoid turning the soil over-it should break up nicely as you fork through it. It can be made finer by running the back of the tines across it, and kicking down with the boot where needed. A light raking over will be all that's necessary to level the site.
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From California to Cornwall: How surfing became a cornerstone of Cornish cultureA new exhibition at Cornwall's National Maritime Museum celebrates a century of surf culture and reveals how the country became a global leader in surf innovation and conservation.
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18 magnificent homes for sale from £550k to £20 million, as seen in Country LifeFrom a charming thatched cottage to a 300-acre estate with its own vineyard, here's our pick of places to come to the market via Country Life of late.
