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“And sometimes, like 2011, I just lost everything. My worst year ever.”

That’s when all my roses died. That year killed almost everything in Texas with 105-107 for so long and no rain even in the spring leading up to that. But, we’re talking food and not roses.

We have these high temps in Texas every year (leave out 2011 when there was no rain either and temps didn’t budge from those high numbers). So, how are your plants doing right now?

Let me ask this question: Is it light the plants need or is it the sun hitting them that they need? That is important to know.

My plants are doing great, but I've expanded the garden to include a more shaded area, and selected plants that handle full sun well to leave in the sun drenched parts of the garden.

I have put up shade cloths a couple of days when I could see the plants suffering. That was for the squash.

Plants need light, some need direct sunlight, some do well with partial shade, some only do well in shade.

My tomatoes and peppers only get about 4 hours of direct sunlight a day, and that seems to be working well.

Ground temperature is also very important. That's why I have the heavy mulch, to protect from heat, and to retain water.

/johnny