I'm located in South Texas (zone 9), and right now, temperatures are soaring between 95°F and 105°F. My tomatoes and peppers are thriving, but my cucumbers are struggling, and my cilantro is done for the season. I'm looking for suggestions on replacement plants that I can start this time of year, given that it won't cool down below 90°F until possibly October. I'd prefer not to wait around for cooler weather!
1 Answer
Consider trying some heat-loving crops like watermelons, cantaloupe, okra, and zucchini. They really thrive in high temperatures. I also highly recommend using shade cloths; even if the seed packets say full sun, they don’t account for the intensity of Texas heat! I find that shade cloth helps my tomatoes produce and ripen better without just staying green.
That’s a great tip! I've had no issues with my tomatoes over the last few years, especially the cherry tomatoes, which are ripening well right now. Texas heat is definitely a challenge, though! We've struggled with watermelon development in the past, too; they tend to just rot before they grow. Cantaloupe is doing better for us this year, but zucchini has been a mixed bag.