Keeping the Garden Cool in a Heatwave

These vegetable beds will stay cool thanks to an overhead gourd garden

It’s early August, it hasn’t rained in 4 months, and the daytime temperatures are in the mid-90’s. And they’re going to be this hot for the next 60 days or more.

Fortunately, I’ve got an overhead gourd garden for the western-most raised beds in vegetable garden. In the morning they get sun, in the afternoon they’re shaded by the gourd vines. While the temperature is a roasty 94° in the sun, it’s a balmy 82° here under the gourds.

As the summer progresses, the leaves on the gourd vines will die from the bottom up, providing more sunlight for the plants in the morning and early afternoon, while still protecting them from the blazing overhead summer sun in the afternoon.

I planted cilantro and lettuce in the two center beds this morning. They should be ready to harvest in October — a full two months before early than they would be without the gourd’s sun protection.

If you haven’t considered it, vertical gardening is great. It’s basically a two for one deal.