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.
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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.
