Just a Touch of a Frost!

  The Bayou is to feel its first bit of "winter" tonight.  Well, at least winter by the Deep South's definition.   While it is rare that we have much more than a "heavy frost", the humidity does factor in to make it raw.  Just the other day, a visitor exclaimed that it felt much colder down on the Bayou than it did a few miles in from here.  Yep, it does make a difference contrary to what a lot of folks think.  That said, I am ready!   Personally, cold air makes me feel better!  Also, that cooler air and a possible frost will make our citrus fruits ripen that much quicker.  Although we have been sneaking a few satsumas now and again, the fruit will be much tastier once a frost touches the rinds.

  This is the first year that the navel oranges have done well.  The tree got off to a rough start and had to be moved twice.  I think we finally found its happy place because the branches are loaded to the breaking point.  We are anxiously awaiting the rinds to turn that deep orange so we can all enjoy the sweet goodness settled deep inside the fruit. Grapefruit, satsumas, kumquats, lemons, limes and now navel oranges can be found dangling from branches of the citrus trees.  

  Being able to grow citrus fruit is one of the pluses of living this far south.  The bushes do well and produce abundantly.  Just a few miles inland, the cold air is a bit much for these heat-loving trees.  While the air may "feel" colder here due to the humidity, the base temperature stays just a few degrees warmer than most places.  That water that chills us also provides a blanket of warmth for the plants.  No wonder I feel that this is the perfect place for me!