Becoming a Gardener: Epic Fail

Year two in my efforts to have my own incredible secret garden.  Year two in pots of deadness.  Both times they've been looking great and then we happen to go out of town the week that it's the hottest and they die these sad deaths. 

Any tips for a gardener newbie???  This is just getting sad.

"Next year, next year is going to be different." (Name that ad, I loved it!)