Question from Kathryn:

What would you recommend as the best citrus west of the freeway excluding lemons and limes? A particular tangerine??

Answer from Pat:

I recently ate a Satsuma tangerine grown in a local garden (Zone 24.) It was one of the best I have ever eaten. Satsuma’s are always choice, but this was even better. If I had to choose only one tree, I would plant Satsuma ‘Owari’. The season is early fall to late December and fruit over-ripens if left on tree. However, it keeps well, the tree is ornamental, and if you have enough fruit when the holidays roll around, gifts of your home-grown Satsuma’s will never be forgotten.