The zombie army COVID-19 Gardening thread.

[Alex L]

David A said:

We planted fruit trees and got Bambi (or Rudolph and Vixen depending on who you ask.

Lovely animals but they have a habit of destroying young trees. I have a badger that appears this time of year and makes a mess of my lawn, digging holes everywhere.

[spikeyhead]

In a restaurant in Sweden the waiter explained that the difference between venison and reindeer was simply "did Sir want to eat Bambi or Rudolph."

[Sway]

spikeyhead said:

In a restaurant in Sweden the waiter explained that the difference between venison and reindeer was simply "did Sir want to eat Bambi or Rudolph."

In my youth, we did a 'cultural exchange' as a youth club with a cohort of Finnish teenage schoolgirls. Much 'culture' was exchanged.

The first month, we were in a ski lodge up north that had just been built - our two groups were the only guests and we were essentially snagging for them.

It was three weeks in when someone noticed the 'beef' in Finland tasted different to at home...

Rudolph is tasty.

[Harry Flashman]

I have heard that wild venison is a but tank and gamey. Is that true?

In the meantome, have some allium christophii. Easily my favourite flowers in the garden. A rather good metallic mauve, and huge clusters - these are 10 inches wide and not yet fully open...

[Sway]

Alliums have done awful for me this year.

Planted last year, at the wrong time - wasn't surprised the show wasn't great (but was there!).

This year, ones that 'should' look like yours are instead 4" high weedy stems with tiny flower heads.

[Harry Flashman]

Sorry to hear. Mine have not naturalised, so bulbs from 2 years ago are not up this year. Annoying. Hope these return next year.

[spikeyhead]

Harry Flashman said:

I have heard that wild venison is a but tank and gamey. Is that true?

Wild venison varies between "spring lamb" and "old mutton" and unless you're friends with the person who shot it then there's little reliable way of knowing how to cook it. At it's best, it's delightful but it's rare that it's at its best and often far below that.

Most culled wild deer are old stags that have suffered in the rut and are injured. Works ok in a stew or a pie, or possibly mixed with fatty pork in a sausage.

Some managed "wild" herds will also have young stags shot at the start of winter and these are delightful, but unless you know the person doing the shooting then the only way to sample it is at a place with a Michelin star.

[Sway]

I'd agree with that based on my experiences. Once had an incredible loin (unfortunately time marches on...) - tried replicating it a few weeks later from same farm shop and it was better used as shoe leather.

Am I right in saying the taste changes through the year too as their diet shifts?

[Bill]

Never had an issue with venison, maybe just luck. Harder to come by now the local farm shop has shut.

Alliums are over here, but we do have mutant blousy poppies and a dramatic angelica.

[Sway]

Other half has been busy this morning at the allotment releasing runner beans into the wild...

[Harry Flashman]

Clematis performing!

[E92M3STEVE]

Had these taken down recently, was going to have a go myself but glad I got somebody in. The view change to the front of the house is amazing and so much more light in.

[Sway]

What a difference that's made!

[E92M3STEVE]

Sway said:

What a difference that's made!

Thanks, the best £350 I've spent on the house renovation so far.

Just need to better secure the soakaway and build up the level where the septic tank is. 10 ton of soil and seed it.

[How u doing]

Harry Flashman said:

Clematis performing!

I love clematis, I even have (for some reason) a non-flowering variety.

This one's Andromeda. Selected for its ability to work in a pot and shady side return.

Edited by How u doing on Wednesday 16th June 07:21

[Aydogflipper]

A few pictures of our garden progress that I've been working on throughout covid. We love it, more planting to be done and the bar needs more decoration and thatching for the roof etc but it's near enough complete for now.

[Swervin_Mervin]

After some advice here all - although from reading a month or so ago Harry might be best placed.

We have a rambling rose in the back garden. It was running throughout the hedge that was between us and next door but that hedge was ripped out last autumn when next door started renovation works. In its place is now a simple post and panel fence.

We didn't really know what would be best to do with the rose so we trimmed it back a bit (the longest spurs were c10ft long), propped up what was left and left it. Due to our own renovations starting in March we weren't able to get back into our garden for a couple of months and now we're wondering what to do with it!

It's Rambling Rector and currently in bloom. All and any ideas are welcome and greatly appreciated.

[Sway]

More allotment stuff (sorry, I know it's not pretty!) - other half has been busy, and luckily just before the rain got to us!



Starting to clear the rest of the plot ready for a nice large winter crop bed prior to (hopefully) getting permission for a polytunnel for next spring.

If you knew her medical history, you'd be as amazed as I am at how much she managed to get done - taking the effort off me, although so that I can focus on removing the bloody bd bamboo in our garden, finally!

[How u doing]

An experiment for next yr, my desire for Aubretia has led me to this. 12 plug plants and an old strawberry pot.

Overwinter in the 'doing' nursery and see what spring brings.

Edited by How u doing on Thursday 17th June 16:07

[How u doing]

On another note, problems in paradise.

Variegated laurel doing well, sheltered spot still living in a pot (42l builders trug actually)



This one planted early 2020 didn't come through winter well, plus April frosts didn't do it too many favours. Sits in full sun.

Looks sad, l've already cut off some dead looking bits, tempted to just leave it be and hope it sorts itself out but advice appreciated.