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I purchased shade cloth online years ago, both for my raised beds and to cover my greenhouse from the beastly hot summer sun.  You can do that, but it can be pricey and there's usually a minimum yardage per order. Buuutttt......you can go to a big box store and purchase a small roll of fiberglass window screening. The flexible, cloth-like kind. They usually come in 3 or 4' widths and varying lengths. Depending on how large an area you need to cover, you can sew two or three widths - or however many widths you need - together and support it on some hoops or some other structure to lift it over your lettuces and spinach. Also, sometimes a simple piece of wood lattice raised over a bed can provide just enough shade. Many lumber yards or the aforementioned big box stores carry it.
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| Posts: 2509 | Location: Linda in N.J./Zones 7 & "Twilight" | Registered: February 11, 2002 | |
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Hate to suggest it, but Walmart usually has shade cloth in their garden department...
My new answering machine message:
Hello and thank you for calling. We have been members of the NRA since we were old enough to take communion. As a Christian family, we have no interest in your robotic messages of hatred, bigotry and fear. We choose to vote for love, hope, and change, and we hope you will join us. Have a great day!.
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quote: Originally posted by gardenz: I purchased shade cloth online years ago, both for my raised beds and to cover my greenhouse from the beastly hot summer sun. You can do that, but it can be pricey and there's usually a minimum yardage per order. Buuutttt......you can go to a big box store and purchase a small roll of fiberglass window screening. The flexible, cloth-like kind. They usually come in 3 or 4' widths and varying lengths. Depending on how large an area you need to cover, you can sew two or three widths - or however many widths you need - together and support it on some hoops or some other structure to lift it over your lettuces and spinach. Also, sometimes a simple piece of wood lattice raised over a bed can provide just enough shade. Many lumber yards or the aforementioned big box stores carry it.
Does window screening provide enough shade? I'm kinda of late with my garden. I'm just planting some lettuce and spinach this week. Without shade will it still grow fairly good? |
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| Posts: 835 | Location: NE US | Registered: February 11, 2008 | |
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allenwrench, I suppose it depends on where you are and how hot your summers are, but if it gets too hot, lettuce and spinach will just bolt (go to seed). Providing them with shade will (hopefully) delay that from happening. Once they bolt, the leaves get more bitter and aren't as good to eat.
Julie in Colorado
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| Posts: 46 | Location: Grand Junction,Colorado zone 6/7 | Registered: June 22, 2008 | |
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quote: Originally posted by allenwrench:
Does window screening provide enough shade?
Window screening usually comes in gray or black. I'd think the black would provide more shade. Plus, is you want more shade, just double or triple the thickness. I do this w/my shade cloth if I really,really want even more shade. I forget the percentage of shade mine provides. It comes in varying degrees or percentages. I think I got the one that provides 65 or 70% shade. ctdahle, Wally sells shade cloth? Really? Inasmuch as I hate the ba$tards, I admitted that there are times when you have to bite it and do what's best for you. It ain't a perfect world. (Duh.) 
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| Posts: 2509 | Location: Linda in N.J./Zones 7 & "Twilight" | Registered: February 11, 2002 | |
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Sad to say Linda, when I needed some, Wally was the only place I could find it...actually, unless I drive for 4 hours, it's the only place I can find a garden hose...sprinkler attachment...flower pot... The local hardware store has a "garden department". I can count off the items in stock on my hands and have thumbs and fingers left over.
My new answering machine message:
Hello and thank you for calling. We have been members of the NRA since we were old enough to take communion. As a Christian family, we have no interest in your robotic messages of hatred, bigotry and fear. We choose to vote for love, hope, and change, and we hope you will join us. Have a great day!.
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How much shading you get depends on what you buy, there are fabrics made for greenhouses just for shade that cut the amount of light 50 to 70 percent and there are window/door fabrics touted to reduce light by 80 percent, while others tell you they do little to reduce light. Properly handled shade cloth should last for several years so the initial cost, spread over those years, can make them very inexpensive.
The sign of a good gardener is not a green thumb, it is brown knees.
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| Posts: 2124 | Location: Central Michigan along the Lakeshore | Registered: August 28, 2004 | |
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Thanks to all for your replies. I'll check to see what Wal Mart has to offer - we have one just 'round the corner. None of the local greenhouses or nursery centers have anything, and I'd rather not order online to avoid the wait and cost of shipping.
Julie in Colorado
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| Posts: 46 | Location: Grand Junction,Colorado zone 6/7 | Registered: June 22, 2008 | |
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Last summer I found shade cloth on rolls that you could purchase by the yard at Lowe's. Don't remember how much it cost, but it didn't strike me as being outrageous. I think the rolls were about 36"-40" wide. They had it in various "strengths," too -- amount of shade it provided. Good luck!
Sue
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| Posts: 4 | Location: Zone 7, central Oklahoma | Registered: May 06, 2007 | |
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Shade cloth is sold in many, many hardware stores and nursery stores. If you go to wmart, look for it in the nursery department, NOT the fabric dept.! Shade cloth is not cheap, but it lasts for many, many years. You can buy it in packages or by the yard. Some is more tightly woven and blocks more of the sun. I find it to be very useful in my hot, hot, hot, sunny, sunny, sunny, climate. I like the stuff that blocks about 30 % of the light.
MCat
Living with decomposing granite and struggling to make things grow without a huge water bill....
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| Posts: 714 | Location: z8 california in the sierran foothills | Registered: August 20, 2006 | |
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quote: Window screening usually comes in gray or black. I'd think the black would provide more shade.
I don't use shadecloth, but I would think black would tend to absorb heat energy from the sun's rays. White would tend to reflect the rays, making the space underneath cooler, no? For those who use shadecloth, what color(s) does it usually come in? And can you use the same material to protect winter plants from cold or should that be different? |
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| Posts: 904 | Location: Zone 7 - Charlotte, NC | Registered: March 28, 2007 | |
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