Yeah, your monologue is a little protracted.
Too much heat/sun combined with lack of water. You might consider 'self watering' pots (misnomer, they actually just have a reservoir) and ollas (see link) for summer annuals if you have any. Shade cloth over is helpful, too, specially if you're going out of town during a heat wave. I don't know that I would replant it as it is already stress. Earthworms are available on line. I don't need to buy them so you'll have to look that one up yourself.
Oh, and, all those cement blocks soak up heat and make it all the hotter. You might think about growing a blue crown "passie" (passion flower) along the wall to absorb some of that heat. Or clematis.
https://growoya.com/
