Ask the gardener is a column in which local readers send in questions about your garden, lawn, trees and more. 

This week's question: Will the summer drought affect fall planting? 

Jean Melton , manager at World Outdoor Emporium in Wentzville, answered the question:

No, not necessarily, because if you're going to plant, then you're going to water, so the drought won't affect planting. 

As long as the heat goes away and eventually cools down, like it should in the fall. As soon as it cools down, you can plant. If the ground is too dry, it may be more difficult to dig, so we recommend running a sprinkler the day before to make it easier.