OK. Overly hot and dry will cause blossom drop as well, so I’m going to go with that if you’re in 8 or 8b - which I am totally unfamiliar with as far a growing veggies.
I’m wondering if you’ve planted them too soon for that HOT of a Zone, and they should be more of a wintertime veggie for you?
I remember a friend who moved to AZ and had always been a WI Gardener in the past. He’d call me every FEBRUARY to tell me he was eating fresh vine-ripened tomatoes, just to annoy me, while I was up to my butt in SNOW! ;)
Can anyone else help?
You may be right about hot and dry — I’m in southern Arizona — and I’m new to gardening. But I have heard of experienced gardeners having problems for the first time ever in getting their plants to blossom and then bear fruit. I’m still learning! It’s a lot of fun actually. I have a little grow light set up in the kitchen and it’s a wonder how quickly and energetically seeds will germinate. I made the mistake of leaving the seedlings outside, and some little scamp nibbled off all the shoots overnight!