As Hurricane Ida begins its approach into the Gulf, we continue to experience very pleasant weather with a very refreshing breeze.  In the last week or so, we have been visited by the Ruby-throated hummingbird as it migrates its way out of the north to over winter in S. Florida and the Caribbean.  At the nursery, they have been drinking nectar from the Jatrophas, Covillea racemosa, Salvias, and hummingbird shrub to name a few.

A couple of tropical fruit trees are forming fruit right now.  Zizyphus jujuba (Jujube Tree) will produce a fruit, when ripe, with a crisp sweet flesh that has a taste reminiscent of an apple.  Also fruiting now is Chrysophyllum cainito (Caimito or Star Apple).  This tree is closely related to our native, Chrysophyllum oliviforme (Satinleaf Tree).  In fact, you would be hard pressed to tell them apart without the fruit.  Both have that characteristic leaf with a glossy green color above and a satiny copper-colored appearance on the underside.

Finally, like last year we will be growing a variety of herbs and vegetables.  We started, dill, parsley, basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, chives, and mint in small 4” pots, and several vegetables were planted in the ground such as tomatoes, broccoli, kohlrabi, carrots, and many others.