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Grazing North Texas

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By Tony Dean | [email protected]

The Texas bluebonnet is the undisputed star of the wildflower show that is on display every spring all across Texas (when moisture is adequate). Another beautiful native flower, the Indian paintbrush, has earned a costarring role. In fact, the two are often seen growing together.

Indian paintbrush is also known by other names like Texas paintbrush, Scarlet paintbrush, Grandmother’s hair, Common red paintbrush, Butterfly weed, Prairie fire, Painted cup, and Painted lady. Most folks prefer to call it by its most popular name — Indian paintbrush.
Indian paintbrush flowers are named for the clusters of spiky blooms that resemble paintbrushes dipped in bright red and orange paint.

An Indian needed some special paintbrushes because he wanted to paint a sunset and he was frustrated that he could not produce any of the colors that matched the beauty of a sunset. He asked the Great Spirit for help and the Great Spirit provided him with paintbrushes to create his painting. After completing his work, the artist then discarded his used paintbrushes around the landscape. These paint bushes later blossomed into plants.

To read more, pick up a copy of the March issue of NTFR Magazine. 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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