If you have to, you have to. Transplants just don't have the roots yet to get to deeper soil moisture and they might be suffering from not being completely hardened off as well. If it's possible, can you find something to shade the transplants with during the hottest part of the day? That might help with the wilting. Mulching would also help.

Can you define what you mean by "watering" and "watering very well"? They are vague terms and what one might consider watering well could mean water starvation to others. In past and current discussions here and on other forums watering well has been defined by the poster as anything from 1/2 cup per plant to an all day soaking. See the problem?

Also how are you delivering this water? The method can make a BIG difference to the plants.

In general, needing to water plants and seed 2x a day would tell me not enough is being delivered the first time. Plus are your plants well mulched or sitting in bare soil that quickly evaporates.

Also keep in mind that some wilting in the heat of the day is a normal plant response. The key is if it then perks back up on its own once the heat of the day passes?

Dave

Thanks for the responses. That all makes sense. It is hard to quantify exactly how much we have been watering them but it is certainly more than 1/2 cup per plant. We are using a hose and have not yet mulched around them. They are in raised beds of really good soil. We will be mulching around them immediately - I think that might help.

A half-cup of water per plant is barely any water at all, and all you are doing is temporarily moistening the top of the soil. That's why your plants appear to need water 2x per day - because they aren't really getting watered. You want to water each plant deeply at its base as infrequently as possible, meaning only when the plant needs it. Some plants (cucumbers and zucchinis, for example) are thirstier than others and will suck up water faster, so you need to check each of your plants individually. Stick your finger down into the soil and feel how moist/dry it is. I suggest you also buy yourself a garden moisture meter. They aren't always very accurate, but between that and the finger method, you'll soon get a feel for how much and how often to water your plants.

For seeds, you want to keep them constantly moist but not drowning. Sown areas will require frequent light waterings.

I mentioned 1/2 cup of water in response to Dave's post wherein he said others had considered that a lot of water. Just to be clear - we are giving ours MUCH more than that each day. I wish I could quantify it better but it is nowhere near 1/2 cup. Thanks everyone.

The heat and sun are stressing your transplants. I'm assuming they're pretty small. They don't have the root system to pull the water they need. If I were you, I'd give them some part shade for a week or so. Heavily saturated soil, especially near the surface, is a great way to develop bacteria and fungus that won't be good for your plants. But yes, wilting can also happen if the roots are soaked, and can't get oxygen or other nutrients. Basically, you can drown a plant. Again, mulch is important. It not only cuts down on water evaporation, but it insulates the soil.

Thanks everyone - great advice as always. The plants didn't look so bad this morning and the temperatures are cooling off a bit. Tomorrow and Saturday we are going to get the mulch in place.

I put laundry baskets over the transplants to give them some protection against sun and wind.