how do i get it going
Unfortunately, your photos did not come through, and the type of plant is not mentioned. As well, the care regiment is not mentioned. I will be unable to offer much assistance without much information, unfortunately.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/problems-with-plant-roots.htm
We have 3-1 gallon plants, in their 2nd year. Last winter was cold (below zero at times) with a lot of snow. One bush almost died and all are still 1 gallon size. Is there anything we can do to protect them for an Iowa winter?
You may want to cover them during the coldest snaps. These articles should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/protecting-plants-winter.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/plant-covering-materials.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/protect-plants-in-freeze.htm
I am just starting a garden in Namibia (Omaruru) I have the help of a long-time-gardening-friend, but she is in the US. At the moment I am creating raised beds, and amending them. But I am raring to go. HELP me obi-wan! I believe I am in Zone 9. Any info (and I DO men ANY info) you can provide would be gratefully accepted. I am just now sitting down with your seed list.
From information online, it doesn't look like you have a first and last freeze date. My information showed Namibia rarely gets below 37 degrees F. (2.7 C). So you might be closer to USDA zone 10.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-9-10-11/plants-zones-9-11.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-9-10-11/zone-9-winter-vegetables.htm
This is second year planted in sunny area. It is still very small now I have noticed the leaves are turning tan to yellow. I do not see any insects.
Unfortunately, your photos did not come through. I am unable to see the damage.
There are several reasons for yellow leaves, including too much or too little water, nutrient deficiencies, over and underwatering, and several other things. This can also depend on the species of plant.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/plant-leaves-turn-yellow.htm
help ? There were not many blooms during this period. Could the extreme heat early in the season be a cause? Would shade cloth help?
Tomatoes won't set fruit when the air temperature is above 85 degrees F. during the day. Shade cloth does help. Here is more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/tomato/hot-climate-tomatoes.htm
For peppers, they like warm weather all summer. Make sure you are watering and fertilizing enough. Here is more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/pepper/growing-peppers.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/pepper/pepper-fertilizer.htm
I have a question about nandinas. I just put five small lemon lime nandinas from 1 gallon containers in the ground and the pots they came in were the opposite of root bound. The soil and mulch in the pots fell away and the plants were put in the ground with all the roots exposed. How can I make sure the plants are stable and will not be blown over by the wind and rain? So far, I have tried compacting the soil and plan to cover the plants with 5-gallon buckets during rain, wind, or snow. Any advice would be appreciated.
Covering them till they get established is a good idea. Another idea is to insert a stake such as a bamboo stick next to each of their stems. Let the stick go deep into the soil. Then loosely attach the stick to the plant. That should keep them from blowing over. Once they are established in about 6 weeks, they should be fine.
The leaves don’t die or turn yellow, they just curl. And not all of them!
Curled leaves can indicate a plant is under stress. The type of plant isn't mentioned, but these articles should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/curled-houseplant-leaves.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/tomato/tomato-leaves-curling.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/begonia/curling-begonia-leaves.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/basil/basil-leaves-are-curling.htm