Tara's April Letter

April is the month when the changing of the seasons is most keenly felt. Spring has truly sprung: the trees in our gardens and countryside awaken with the first buds of the season, and every corner bursts with colour and blossom.

The daffodils return after their long slumber, a choir of nodding yellow heads gracing gardens and woodland alike. There is no better way to dress the table than with a freshly picked bunch from the garden in a simple glass vessel.

The cherry blossom

The ornamental cherries are the jewel of spring. It is as if the whole landscape falls silent for a moment while the blossom erupts in a blaze of glorious pink froth. The cherry blossom is the leading lady of springtime, and her beauty is extraordinary. For me, this is when spring truly begins.

There is nothing quite as lovely as a blossoming cherry, to lift spirits and dazzle us with her beauty.

For spectacular blossom, visit nationaltrust.org.uk to discover where to see cherry trees in full bloom.

Back into the garden

Now is the time to throw open the back door and tidy the garden, ready for sitting outdoors. With lighter, warmer evenings comes the pleasure of inviting friends round for a glass of wine and some simple, delicious food.

A spring clean for the home

Spring is the moment to spruce up the home and give our most intimate sanctuary a spring clean: throw open the windows and let the fresh air into every room.

It is also a good time to declutter, and to repurpose or donate anything we no longer need. With the spring cleaning done, enjoy the lighter evenings and spend a little extra time relaxing and unwinding in your home and garden.

Places to visit

As the weather warms, a visit to Borde Hill Gardens in West Sussex is high on my list: an exceptional garden and one of Britain's greatest heritage gardens, with a beautiful Manor House and a very rare collection of trees and plants. It is one of my favourites.

Take time on warmer days to visit the RHS Gardens. Appreciate the wonderful gardens local to you and take inspiration for your own. Most RHS Gardens have tearooms; at RHS Wisley you can take afternoon tea surrounded by beautiful trees and blossoming flowers.

Next month brings the flower shows, beginning with the RHS Malvern Spring Festival and followed by the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the perfect occasions to see what's new in the plant world and gather inspiration. The RHS is also pursuing car-free and low-carbon travel options for visitors to its gardens and shows; you can check them under 'Plan your visit' on the RHS website.

Enjoy the spring, and all that is yet to unfold.