You could try shading your new plants. I recently made small umbrellas out of coathangers and newspapers and a stapler. We have a heat index of 112 and some of my heat lovers are wilting in the middle of the day which means I'll water more often.

So should I just plant my sprouted seeds in the garden like regular seeds? Should I let them get quite a bit of root on them first? Would it be better to start them in peat pots with some shade and then move them to the garden? It's all new to me, this planting in August thing.

Thanks.

I wouldn't put them out yet. I'm in the same boat with you - this hot, dry weather is killing all my fall stuff. Keep them inside, basement window maybe.

I am having the same problem here in SC. It's been in the triple digits for aover a week and maybe some relief Sat.--will be 95. I have had collard plants dry up in the shade because of the excessive heat. Good luck to all in their fall garden. Dale

We always have that problem here. When I sow my fall veggies, I build frames over my planting beds, and cover them with window screen material to help provide some shade and heat relief. I really helps alot.
I'll link a photo below.
Mrs H

Here is a link that might be useful: shaded seed beds

That's what I'm going to have to do next year, build some kind of shade frame for my veggies. My raised beds get sun all day, but when it's 100+ that's too much heat. I've lost almost a dozen brassicas to the heat and to flea beetles.

Hunter Tx--what do you grow inside that large, arched trellis?

julieann, I grow several different things in several trellises in the garden (link below). I use them for gourds, canteloupe, beans, cukes, and anything else I can think of, lol.
Mrs H

Here is a link that might be useful: veggie garden

I'm in the same perdicaments here in East TN. Too hot to plant fall veggies but it's getting a little late. I'm going to hold off a few days and hope for cooler weather. :)
Dee

hunter tx thanks for the pics. I am going to try some trellis in the garden next year. We have a 12ft tall grape arbor in the center of the garden to help shade. We had about the hottest summer here last year & reached about 113deg couple times. This year whilst you-all are burning up we here in the San Joaquin Valley are experiencing our best, mildest, summer ever. I planted my first go-round of fall veg seed yesterday. Good luck & keep growing your own food!