Almost impossible to overwater the mix you describe. With that kind of heat/sun I would be keeping them watered/drenched daily. I use wooden skewers to test soil dampness down to about 12".

Hi Ed!

Yeah, I've been using the skewers like you suggested previously. They come out damp and cool, but plants just look so sad and droopy anyway. (I stuck my finger in just to double check actual coolness/moisture with my own senses). Before, you might remember my soil was drying out so quickly, and then I readjusted with more peat, and now it is staying moist nicely for a couple of days even in this heat...but the plants are still wilting and drooping. My instinct is to give them a drink, and they perk up when I do, but just didn't want to overwater them, killing them with 'kindness' :)

OK, so it must be the heat that's making then wilt, it's the only thing I can figure. Have never had healthy plants wilt in the sun when they had water to drink, but then again have never experienced the kind of heat you all are getting these days. Sounds like a bit of shade is the best remedy :-)

Just a thought.....it's interesting that they perk up when you water them. I know that sometimes when my mix feels a little damp, it doesn't necessarily mean that there's alot of water available for the plant to drink. I can picture a healthy tomato plant in your conditions drinking at least 2 gallons of water per day.

I agree with Ed. Last summer when we had excessive heat I had to water at least twice a day or the plants looked droopy. I also do a weak liquid fertilizing when I water and alternate with a granular fert also.

Do a test on one of the movable plants.
When the plant is wilting in the sun but the mix still feels moist, move it into the shade for 15 - 30 minutes. If it perks up without water, then clearly the issue is the direct sun...rather than a need for water. I've done this "test" with several friends and family members to convince them not to overwater their plants.

We've had four days over 100F (108F on Saturday, 106F on Sunday), and I haven't watered my #5 containers of 5-1-1 since Friday morning when I fertilized. I find that if I keep the containers shaded from that intense mid-afternoon sun, my peppers won't droop. I just angle nursery flats on the southern side of the pots.

Josh

I live in the same type climate that you do. I'm in Western Colorado, in Fruita. All my plants remain outdoors in full sun even in the high heat (we've hit 108). The one's in containers are in SIPs, and as long as I keep the reservoirs full the plants take the heat just fine. They are thriving. Others are in raised beds with Mel's MIx and are also doing fine. I haven't mulched or shaded or anything. I think water is the key. By the way, my containers basically have Mel's Mix in them too.

the attached photo is from about a week ago. As you can see, the container plants are fine, and in the background the raised bed veggies are good too. Best of luck with yours!