Any tips on how to keep plants cool during the hot summer months?

[JDPriestly]

I'm in Southern California. My lettuce is going to seed as is my arugula. Cilantro will be impossible in the summer. I'm giving up on these vegetables much as I love having them fresh. My last hope is that someone on DU can suggest a way to keep plants really cool during our very hot, very sunny, dry weather. Any suggestions? I know about mulching with plastic. But that probably isn't really enough.

[Kolesar]

1. Sun shades

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=246&topic_id=10905#10907

I bought lettuce seeds that were specified as "slow bolt" lettuce.

[JDPriestly]

2. Thanks. I'll try the slow bolt. Any suggestions about what sun shades to use?

[FloriTexan]

3. Wal-Mart sells an inexpensive brand that blocks 70%...

It looks like plastic screen netting and comes in tan and black and green shades. We used the black around our patio and its already making a hugh difference in the sun. I've put plants behind it that can't take too much of our hot Texas sun/heat and so far they are doing well. I reserve the right to amend that come August/September when its 110 in the shade.

[Kolesar]

4. In fact, bearfan454 wrote about this three years ago

You gotta see this, the photos are still up.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=246x3927