Mortar mix changed after a job in Phoenix, now I second guess every batch

Last summer I was on a retaining wall job in Phoenix and the heat was brutal, 110 degrees by noon. I used my usual 3:1 sand to cement mix and the mortar dried way too fast, I had to bust out a whole course of block the next morning. Now I'm mixing in lime and wetting the sand ahead of time, but I wonder if that's overkill for smaller jobs in cooler weather. Does anyone else adjust their mix based on the region or do you stick with one recipe and just work faster? I'm torn between consistency and adapting to conditions, what's your call?

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morganhayes11d ago

Ever messed with mortar in 110 degrees and felt like you were baking cookies instead of laying block?