August 2022

Some of the best quality vegetables in Oklahoma are harvested in the fall when warm sunny days are followed by cool, humid nights. Fall is the perfect season to garden - no bugs, no watering, no weeds, and no sweat – at least not nearly as much as in the summer. It’s hard to think about planting a garden when it’s near 100 degrees outside, and we are dragging hoses every day just to keep plants alive. Thank goodness we finally got cooler temperatures and some desperately needed rain – hope it continues into September. Those dedicated gardeners who do brave the heat and plant a fall garden will be rewarded when temperatures remain cooler and the fall rains come regularly.

Special to the Herald Democrat Dear Neil: Several months ago we noticed bark splitting on a mature live oak in our yard. We figured it was the result of last year’s cold like some of the others we have seen you write about.

Dear Abby: I recently met the love of my life, and I’m planning to leave my life and family in Arkansas and move to California to marry him. He’s recently divorced after a 25-year marriage.

Dear Dr. Roach: I am a 59-year-old female in good health, except for my rheumatoid arthritis, which is controlled with a prescription of methotrexate.