What crops can be grown on the edge of a city plot that gets hard in the hot ...

A big consideration to soil that is depleted of moisture and nutrients needed to grow vegetables is to ammend the soil with natural compost. A low cost way to do this is by saving/collecting kitchen scraps such as vegetable peels, egg shells, coffee and tea grinds. Work these into the soil and allow it to decompose over the winter, you can also add worms or worm castings ( natural fertilizer ) keep the area covered as much as possible to protect it from wind and rain wash. In the spring the soil will have improved and be easier and richer to work. ** never** put cooked foods, meat or bones, any table scraps -into a compost pile or medium. This will attract bugs and critters...and smell. Compost does not smell if done properly.