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The Garden Guy: Pecans Legendary in the South

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By Norman Winter

California has its almonds and Florida its citrus, but from Thanksgiving through Christmas the pecan, the legendary horticultural crop of the South, is king. Indeed, it is legendary. As facts show, it was a crop eaten by Native American Indians long before explorers or settlers arrived.
Oddly, 1541 became a banner year in the history of the pecan thanks to men who took the time to write about their journeys. The first credit might best be given to Cabeza de Vaca because his exploration began earlier in 1529.

Unfortunately for him but great for pecan-lore is the fact Indians captured him on the coast of Texas. He, along with three others, survived the ordeal and was held captive until 1535. In his memoirs titled Relaciones, he reported the Native American Indians took him to a place called the ‘river of nuts’ that is now known as the Guadalupe River. Here he said the Indians survived on the nuts for two months with little else to eat.

To read more pick up a copy of the December 2019 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.

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Parting Shot: Dogs, Pigs, Goats, Oh My!

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By Jelly Cocanougher

What an extraordinary end to the Wise County Youth Fair – a fantastic opportunity for the Heart of a Champion participants to show. From rabbits to lambs, to pigs to dogs – we’ve seen it all. Through this unique event, the Heart of a Champion Livestock show aimed to promote confidence, friendship, and a sense of accomplishment within our amazing community. Everyone worked tirelessly to create an environment that fosters growth, camaraderie, and a shared passion for agriculture. Until next year!

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Grazing North Texas: Rescuegrass

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By Tony Dean, [email protected]

If moisture is adequate, there are several winter annual grasses that dominate the landscape during early spring in Texas. One of the most common is Rescuegrass.

This winter annual is native to South America but grows over much of the United States and can be found in all ecoregions of Texas. Rescuegrass is easily recognized by its flat seed head.
Numerous seed heads produce seed that is transported by animals and can quickly spread to other areas.

To read more, pick up a copy of the April issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.

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The Garden Guy

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By Norman Winter | Horticulturist, Author, Speaker

The National Garden Bureau has designated 2024 as the ‘Year of the Angelonia’ and I am in full celebration mode. As I was preparing for my contribution to the celebration, I was, however, sent into taxonomic trauma.

For the last 26 years of deep love for the Angelonia, or summer snapdragon, I have told everyone via newspaper, radio and television that they were in the Scrophulariaceae family. Since most gardeners don’t like those words, I modified or simplified the snapdragon family, but somebody has tinkered with green industry happiness and moved Angelonia to the Plantaginaceae or plantain family. I immediately reached out to my friend Dr. Allen Ownings, Horticulture Professor Emeritus with the Louisiana State University AgCenter. I said, “Did you know this, or better yet, did you do it?” He said, as I expected, that the Taxonomist group had done it. This reminded me that someone once said taxonomists have to eat, too.

To read more, pick up a copy of the April issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.

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