This is a flower of a jalapeño pepper plant. The pepper originates in Mexico and grows well in the hot summers of North Carolina. It can be picked when green and young or mature and red. It is advisable to use gloves when preparing these spicy fruits. Vinegar and milk may give relief to skin or mouth that is burning from the oils and seeds.

We planted two varieties of strawberries from our local cooperative extension agent. This one is the Seascape Strawberry. As an everbearing fruit, these plants produce a round even shaped berry. The high quality and sweet berries develop in the spring and fall. Though they need water they do well in hot and dry climates. Though it produces fewer runners than spring bearing varieties it is resistance to many fungal diseases.