Mulch and wait it out. Not much else you can do. The air temperature is hot but the ground temp isn't bad, and would be cooler with a layer of mulch. You'd also have to water less.

Rodney

Thank you Dave, really appreciate the feedback. I'm a bit of a beginner with vegetable gardening, so learning as I go. I did actually set up a frame from PVC piping & some mesh type burlap material. When is it that I should shade them? I've recieved opposing opinions about shading. A few have said, don't shade tomato plants, they love the sun no matter how high the temp. While others have said ABSOLUTELY provide them shade, especially on extremely hot days where the temp exceeds 90 degrees with midday sun. I'm a bit confused as to what's the best choice. I'll make sure to pick up some mulch material & get them covered properly. Thanks again.

Tomato plants are sun lovers. However, young plants get stressed with intense sun/heat. "Rolled leaves" are often caused by moisture fluctuations (too moist-too dry). I think your plants will be fine. Keep the soil moist during heat spells especially.

Ok. That's good to hear. Thank you. Just to clarify, when is hot too hot for tomatoe plants, and should be shaded? Is the general idea that I've read, when the temps climb over 90 degrees & the sun is at its highest point of the day, they should be shaded. Is that a good rule of thumb to try to follow?

Mark, I would agree with digdirt regarding getting a good thick layer of much around the plants as it will definitely slow evaporation and keep the ground temps cooler. Why not try a little experimentation......try mulch around one or two of your plants and see how the soil temp differs from those you haven't mulched. Assuming of course that soil temps are similar for all to begin with.

As for the direct light, I would think something that just reduces that intensity might help them through the heat wave. Maybe something like a old white bed-sheet that will still be letting a good amount of light through.

Harry

" A few have said, don't shade tomato plants, they love the sun no matter
how high the temp. While others have said ABSOLUTELY provide them
shade, especially on extremely hot days where the temp exceeds 90
degrees with midday sun. I'm a bit confused as to what's the best
choice."

It isn't an either/or choice. First because they are talking about normal weather patterns - which you don't have right now. Second, it depends on the age of the plants and the amount/degree of shade. Well established, big tall plants in the production stage of their life can tolerate much more sun and heat than young still-getting-established plants can.

And we aren't talking about full dark shade, just something that cuts the sun exposure by 10-20% during the hottest part of the day (which is usually around 2-4 pm). Harry's old white sheet, window screens, or best some of the various row covers/shade cloth sold for that purpose. They still get plenty of sun but the heat is reduced a bit.

And, even well-established blooming plants will not set fruit with temps in the mid-nineties so many use shade cloth just to drop the temps 5 degrees during those unusually hot periods.

There are no absolute rules in growing. We have to adjust, to try to find a balance, for the variety of conditions as they develop.

Dave