too hot for my plants!

[Nicos]

Darn- I know now I should have created some shade, but I've had some of my lettuce collapse in the heat.
They're just a slimy mush - literally baked in the heat.

Such a waste.

What do other peeps do to create small areas of shade?

Anyone else had anything similar happen?

[Jonny.D]

I've my salad stuff in a shady part and amongst other plants.

Maybe suspend some netting over them to create shade?

[Marb67]

I have had surprisingly good results growing lettuce for the first time in soil as they haven't been eaten, and I think I know why, Frogs. We have loads of them now and they do a fantastic job. Mine are in full sun for half of the day and the heat hasn't affected them yet. I do water as much as I can to keep cool. They grow much better in soil than containers.

[Scoot]

Noticed that my very small sprout plants have bolted. Too late to start any more now.

[Lisasbolt]

same here, it's far too hot, in the 40's. water, water and more water for everything including myself.

I am trying pots of lettuces this year and i can move either inside or into the shade for the hottest part of the day. Cos lettuce seems to handle the heat a bit better.
I am going to try the cut and come again leaves, hopefully that will provide enough for salads.

[Nicos]

Scoot- some of my lettuce bolted too

[Scarlet]

Just showing off Nicos
Mine are planted In the shade of a huge tree that my chickens use for cover. They've done surprisingly well this year, weeds and all

[Nicos]

Just look at that poor chook looking longingly at her equivalent of rows of cream cakes!!!

Actually- I'm looking lovingly at the lettuce too!

Well done- they look great!

[Potstubsdustbins]

Snap Nicos, lost a lettuce to.

[PyreneesPlot]

Interesting, as my lettuces are fine at the moment, although bolting a bit faster than normal, and it has been low 40s here. I water well in the morning, mulch heavily with grass clippings and this year they just happen to be in a bed that gets shade from about 4pm.
Some of my French beans are a bit crispy around the edges.
Stuff still in seed trays or pots are in the shade until noon and then get put on a wheeled shelving unit and put under an awning.
I lost so much in the first coupe of years, not appreciating how quickly seedlings perish One load of chillies were lost in the time it takes to drink a bottle of beer with a visitor!

[Penellype]

I find that despite planting them in a corner which gets sun only half the day, my cucumbers have a tendency to wilt. If they look like doing so I pin up a screen of fleece, which seems to do the job.

[Jungle Jane]

One of my rocket plants wilted the other day,it's in a pot with a tomato plant in the walk in blow away,I noticed it & I've had to close over the flappy door,left it unzipped or it would be too hot,but it's helped it recover back to normal. I've been growing some rocket & basil on my east facing windowsill,they only get a few of hours of early morning sun,they've been doing well for months.
Could you fit 4 sticks with a bit of cloche over the tops (so it looks like a table) to shade any other lettuces?

[Scoot]

Scoot- some of my lettuce bolted too

Get some more planted

[spamvindaloo]

I was so chuffed (as a first year allotmenteer) at how healthy my spuds looked planted in 30l heavy duty plant pots, I couldn't even see the pots for the foliage. I managed to water on the way home from work on Tuesday morning but I was just too tired yesterday and today after trying (and failing) to sleep during the day Tuesday and Wednesday.

Went to water them this afternoon after they'd gone without for the last couple of days and I could not only see the pots but also the parched surface of the compost after the haulms had just collapsed and were laid on their sides completely dried out. Not too chuffed anymore I have given them a very thorough drenching and will do the same again tomorrow, I'm hoping the spuds themselves are still okay.

[PyreneesPlot]

Cucumbers, squash, beans, courgettes all wilt on most hot days but are fine. I understood it was the plant's way of avoiding too much evaporation.