What to do in the garden in April
Help along pot plants in April with some fresh compost

Favourite pot plants that inhabit the same container for years on end can be helped along a little at this time of year. Gently remove some of the surface compost and replace it with a fresh layer of the original mix. For most plants, a loam-based compost does best. Take the opportunity to cut out any dead shoots, then settle down to the task of wiping the leaves over with a damp cloth and cleaning the pot. You'll both feel much better for it.
* Subscribe to Country Life and save over £50 a year
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Bringing the quintessential English rural idle to life via interiors, food and drink, property and more Country Life’s travel content offers a window into the stunning scenery, imposing stately homes and quaint villages which make the UK’s countryside some of the most visited in the world.
-
Dawn Chorus: A Blue Plaque for Marc Bolan, holidaying in the Caribbean with Francis Ford Coppola and a history of the National Gallery in 25 pictures
Plus the best of the property pages, and how the railways will save the countryside.
By James Fisher Published
-
Game, set, match: 12 of the world’s most beautiful tennis courts
From Italy to Indonesia, when it comes to hotel amenities, a picturesque tennis court will always trump a 24-hour gym. So, before you book your next holiday, take a look at our pick of the 12 best.
By Rosie Paterson Last updated