Rule of thumb in a dry area for perennials is that even low water/drought tolerant plants need more water the first year or so to get established. If you plant something new, plant it in the evening so that it has the cooler weather to help it adjust. When it is that hot, with the low humidity you may find yourself watering every morning. Dig down in the dirt a couple of inches, if it is dry, water. If it is moist, don't. It could also help to erect some shade cloth over the vegetables but most will not do much at the high of a temperature. When it cools off, they could take off then but most vegetables do not like those temperatures.

If you plan to stay in your current place for a while I would make a priority of getting shade in place. Micro-climates are essential. I am guessing you are in the southern half of the state as here in the central mountains we are in the 80s but even with my cooler temps, developing microclimates with trees and shrubs is essential. Good luck. Gardening in NM is definitely an adventure, not for the faint of heart.

I'm in Roswell, so yeah, southern half.

I've been watering every morning. I haven't planted anything in the heat of the day.

I read the reviews for the soil I was using, and they were all bad. I made the mistake of using "cheap" soil, even though it was name brand (Scotts). I think that's what has done all the plants in, plus the high heat.

Maybe I should just plan now for a fall garden, I might have better luck then.

I am in Vegas & know many, many gardeners who are able to grow most anything here .. with a few exceptions (Citrus & blueberries - tho i am trying to keep my blueberry plant alive til we move in a few years !!) ... i have many jalapenos ready for picking now .. so it is possible . Microclimate is absolutely so important. you need protection from afternoon sun tho my jalapenos don't have much nor my other plants. you might be right that is the soil you used.

The west & south are the hottest parts of your home. avoid planting there & work on cooling your microclimate & experiment with "over"watering one of the plants to see if that is the problem. Mulch also helps prevent evaporation.

I just recently started my garden in my atrium (located on the southeast corner of my home) here in Vegas about two months ago and my plants were doing fine. I have 2 Tomato plants, a habanero, 2 morning glories. the hab seemed to stop growing (which i read somewhere that it was normal), my tomatoes are healthy and thriving.

This past week has been (Chronicles of Riddick you step into the sun you burst into flames) hot, so the last two days I have noticed that leaves are turning crispy (still green not brown) and falling off. Today I watered in the am (5-6) and my hab was fine and happy, but I just checked them all the habs leaves are crispy and falling off.

The plant food I use is an up to two month Scotts blend and they have another month before i feed again. My plants receive 4-7 hour of direct sun
Any suggestions on how to keep my habs from dying I want it to produce at least one pepper before it dies.

This post was edited by Demannu on Wed, Jul 3, 13 at 19:45

I'll say it again... Mulch., mulch, mulch! 3-4 inches if need be. As mentioned above, evaporation is one thing, but you guys are struggling because of SOIL temps. Shade cloth, sheets, trees are all very helpful too for that afternoon heat. Try to rig something up when those afternoon temps hit 95 and up. When it cools off in the evening, pull the shade off. Make it a daily ritual, if you can. Otherwise, plant in containers that can go under partially shaded patio covers.

But, MULCH!

Good luck.

Kevin