Get Ready for Spring - Things You Will Need

My approach will be multipronged that is to say there is no magic bullet, no one method that will solve the heat/drought problem. By the way we had less than ten days of rain for the entire summer.

As always I will go with the simplest free methods first.

Mulch 

1. Wood chips (untreated)

2. shredded leaves

3. Grass clippings

4. Small stones or pebbles

Just about anything that comes from nature that will breakdown over time and add nutrients to your soil.

Next will be Shade Eliminates

1. Plain white sheets can be used to block out the harsh afternoon sunlight. The downside is that you have to remove them in the evenings or when it rains.

2. If you can plant near trees that will shade your plants in the afternoon that would be great.

3. Beach umbrellas can also provide a source of relief from the harsh summer sun

Let's move on to somethings that are store bought but not costly.

Organic Garden Coir

12 heat tolerant vegetable plants

SWEET POTATOES

OKRA

BELL PEPPERS

HOT PEPPERS

EGGPLANT

CUCUMBER

CORN

SQUASH/ZUCCHINI

SOUTHERN PEAS

BEANS (YARD-LONG & GREEN)

SPINACH (MALABAR & NEW ZEALAND)

TOMATOES (TOMATILLOS & OTHER SOUTHERN SPECIES)

Part 4
Water collection, storage and conservation 

Recycle Household (sometimes referred to as gray) Water

Catchment system

Consider using large buckets, barrels or unused flowerpots to collect rain. Do not leave them too long without a cover. Standing water can attract mosquitoes.