The drought that has stricken Oklahoma with triple-digit temperatures and a woeful lack of rain spreads far beyond this state's borders, leaving farmers, ranchers and homeowners across the nation struggling to decide priorities when it comes to keeping plants and animals alive and healthy.

Oklahoma State University Extension Agricultural Educator Bruce Peverley put the situation into context during a recent conversation with KRMG News.

"We are in a severe situation," he told KRMG. He noted that the drought has continued to spread across the nation.

It affects "the western states clear up into Montana," he said, "and of course probably where the greatest effect is being felt is in the cornbelt states."

Moreover, the effects are clearly making themselves felt here in Green Country.

"As you travel across the county, you're starting to see trees showing a lot of stress, and all the willows, sycamores, some of those are starting to drop leaves and brown out," Peverley told KRMG.

Allan Storjohann, host of the KRMG Gardening Show, tells KRMG news there are steps homeowners can take to help their lawns and gardens.

He recommends watering the lawn at least once or twice a week, soaking it well during the morning hours.

"Make sure you water deep, give a good, long watering to your plants so that the root system gets it, a lot of the soil moisture's depleted, then water three times a week for your shrubs and flowers, once a week for your trees, and at least twice a week for your lawn."

Some plants will still burn up despite adequate water, because of the terribly high temperatures. Storjohann tells KRMG News the water actually can evaporate from the leaves faster than the plant's roots can replace it.

He says you can cover some plants to help keep the sun off of them with commercially-available shade cloths or even old, white bedsheets. 

"Something that really helps a tremendous amount is to mulch your planting beds and flower beds, that really helps the water loss out of the soil."

Storjohann's show airs Saturday morning on KRMG.