Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Fall Fruit - Satsuma & Strawberries

This fall, I tried out some new fruit plants in the garden that I haven't gotten around to blogging about yet.

First was a new citrus tree that I planted in the new garden beds - an Arctic Frost Hardy Satsuma.  It's fruit is about the size of a tangerine, but tastes a bit sweeter.  One of the great characteristics of this satsuma is that it is one of the most cold-hardy citrus trees, being able to withstand temperature drops to 12 degrees Fahrenheit.  It is also drought tolerant - a must for my Texas garden, and it is also an evergreen.  The tree will reach 10-12 feet tall and 10 feet wide in the ground, and about half that in containers.


I ended up harvesting about eight fruit off the small tree this year in early November.  The fruit had a mild sweet/tartness and about two to three seeds per fruit.  I'm looking forward to a more mature plant and larger harvest next year.


This year was also my first go at planting strawberries.  I didn't have any room in my veggie beds at the time to get them in the ground, so I tried container planting.  I'm not sure what variety I planted, but the fruit were very petite.  I ended up only getting a few fruit off the plant before our temperatures dipped and the plant stopped flowering.  I wonder if the plants will make it through the winter and produce more for me in the spring.


A big, red, ripe strawberry...


6 comments:

  1. Wow-I'm impressed. I love satsumas and strawberries. Your tag line is "Striving for a green thumb...."--I think you've achieved that goal!

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    1. Thanks, Tina! Let's just say I'm striving for an even GREENER thumb now ;-)

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  2. I can't believe how much fruit you are getting already with the Satsuma! I've never tried strawberries either, will learn from you :)

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    1. I know - the little tree looks like it is going to topple over with the heavy fruit it is already producing. I'm so curious how much I'll be able to get out of it next year...

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  3. Where can I buy a Satsuma Arctic Frost tree, I live in Texas as well (Dallas)?

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    1. Luis - look at your local nurseries. They will likely carry fruit trees this fall, and they might have some Arctic Frosts, or they may know someone who might.

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