Texas heat will certainly kill lettuce and spinach. Illinois heat does, at this time of year. You need to wait till fall for those.

Lettuce and spinach are cool weather crops planted very early in spring. It is far too late (or too early for fall planting) for planting. As to where they sprouted - most likely the result of seed migration due to watering or other activity on the soil.

Cukes, while not as cool weather as the others, is usually planted in spring not summer. They don't tolerate summer heat and are also usually planted much earlier than now.

Squash on the other hand is a a summer vegetable and loves the heat.

All vegetables have specific planting times and specific soil temperature requirements so you need to learn about proper planting times and the proper soil temperatures for success.

Gardening is a learning experience. :)

Dave

im in central texas and there is no way your going to be able to grow lettuce or spinach this time of year here in texas. i start my spinach and lettuce in oct 1 when the heat has died down. my spinach will grow the whole winter and replant again in feb 1. will grow until the heat comes.

the cucumbers have some root rot or fusarium going on. root rot can be a cause from over watering and will wilt suddenly. i have gotten white stems on my cucumber plants and found i was over watering. they do sell cucumbers that are resistant to fusarium wilt. i have grown cucumbers from spring all through to winter. they will not get pollinated during the heat of the summer. which is useless to grow them when the heat hits 100's. i start over again by planting the middle of august. by middle sep they are setting fruit when it is cool.

the sqaush needs some nutrients., looking like it is a potassium difiency. how much are you watering these plants?

i start mine during the spring it will start out fast and usually slows down after the first flush of squash. but it will produce slowly. you will still have a pollination problem during the heat of the summer. bees dont like the heat either i guess. i also replant middle of august again. lot of calenders will tell you to plant first sep. but you need to count in germination time. also i start my beans middle of aug too. by the time first frost hits i have already harvested.

I think you are right and it is root rot that has hit the squash and cucumbers. The trunk/root area looks horrible. Should I go ahead and rip these out?

I am watering everyday. The pepper plants begin wilting if i do not water them everyday, but a few hours after i water they spring to life. Should I not be watering anything everyday? Is the wilting normal? I guess the over-watering is destroying several of the plants. I worry if I do not water with the 100 degree weather, everything will die in a week.
I will replant the spinach and lettuce in the fall as you have suggested.

I am watering everyday. The pepper plants begin wilting if i do not water them everyday, but a few hours after i water they spring to life. Should I not be watering anything everyday?

That is a good part of your problem right there. Daily watering of in ground plants does nothing but cause shallow-rooted, water dependent plants. Water much longer and much less frequently. Mild wilting in the heat of the day is normal response of most plants in order to conserve moisture.

Granted, your bed is going to dry out much faster than a regular garden will but it is still big enough that it should need watering daily.

Dave

Thanks Dave this is very helpful.