Satsumas (Patreon)

People probably don't think about citrus when they think about Louisiana, or Louisiana when they think about citrus.  I think most people think Florida and California, because years of the two states competing via ads has really cemented both places in people's minds.  But citrus grows quite well here in Louisiana, and many people plant a variety of citrus for ornamental reasons.  Oranges, Satsumas, Pomelos, Lemons, Kumquats- you really have your pick!  My mom has a small kumquat tree in her front yard that she doesn't pick from, so Joseph and I happily harvest the tangy little fruits to candy or cook.

Satsumas aren't native to Louisiana, but many Louisianans think of them as a staple.  Given as gifts in baskets, adorning wreaths at Christmas, or rotting on someone's lawn because they forgot about the tree, Satsumas are a winter fruit that adds a little color to the brown and drab green that marks Louisiana in the colder seasons.  When we lived in Norco, just about every house had an overburdened, half neglected citrus tree with sad, withered little fruits- not because citrus doesn't thrive here, but because we literally take it for granted.

We're waiting for a bit more Spring to begin planting things, but I definitely want to plant satsuma trees and kumquat bushes.  My goal is to someday have a yard like my PawPaw's farm- everywhere you go, there's something to eat.