Shade cloth??

I live in zone 10, so it is already very hot here. I want to protect my lettuce transplants with a shade cover of some sort, so I designed a cute little box to go over each plant that is made of pvc. I had planned on attaching shade cloth to the pvc to cover the plants; however, the only shade cloth I can find locally is really expensive. Do you guys know of any alternatives?

Thanks in advance!

Welcome to the SFG Forum.
How about thrift store sheer curtains?

Old sheets

Tulle, might need more than one layer in your climate.

Bulk shadecloth on the 'net. I don't know a thing about the prices.
http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/cat1;ft1_shade_houses_material;ft1_sunblocker_bulk_shade_cloth_1.html

I like to sew, so I have a lot of scrap fabric laying around. Would a simple cotton, sheer organza, muslin, or cheese cloth be better? Also, which color of fabric would be better? I know that some tend to attract heat.

Since I have no practical knowledge about shade cloth, I would probably go look on Google for photos or videos about making them.

I use inexpensive cheesecloth I get at Jo-Ann's Fabric Stores. You can use it in one layer of two depending on the depth of shade you want. Works for me.



I even use it over my coldframe to shade lettuce plants.

Thank you. That's what I was thinking of using. I just wasn't sure if it would work. I will have to pick some up at Joann's tomorrow.

If you look around on the web, you'll find how much light they shield out and how much air flow they have (for internal temp).

Another term is "floating row cover."

Even with cheesecloth there are three grades. QuiltBea's looks like grade 10, gauze. I think the other 2 are 50, and 90. Then you have to consider how wide it is...some are 36 some are 60+. I found a pre-packed cloth at Home Depot online that was less than $4 for the roll. I don't remember the numbers though.

If you look through your scraps you might find the perfect solution there!

Do show us your results!

The old timers used to use slat fencing before shadecloth was invented. Used to use it to cover their greenhouse benches and ferns in the field.

You can get it at Tractor Supply. I think it comes in a 50' roll. The fence boards are 1" and they are wired together.

Also, if you get shadecloth, get "knitted shadecloth" because it doesn't have to be hemmed or grommetted. Just cut it to length and tie cord through it.

Years ago, I made amazing shade/protection structures out of redwood and cedar fence so they would be weather resistant.
I will do my best to describe them. You will need a table saw to rip the wood to width and cut to length. I made 10 of them so I set up an assembly line. This is a great project to get your handy whoever involved with.

For one foldable a-frame style cover, cut 4 2" W x 28" long legs from 1" thick redwood.
Rip cedar fence pickets into 1 1/4" wide x however long you want your a-frame. I went with 36".
Place 2 leg pieces together end to end and attach a 2" hinge. Repeat.

Space cedar pickets pcs. 1" apart down the length of redwood legs, hinge side down, extending them 3" beyond outside edge of legs. I started placement from bottom at 4" up. Use screws to attach. Repeat down other side. When you set them up they will resemble a 2 sided highway snow fence with hinges at top like this image:

I sealed the wood and these have lasted for 12 years now. They fold so storage is easy.
When placed over your plants they protect from sun, wind and hail. I have also stapled plastic sheet to them for early and late season frost protection. You can stand them on end as well for directional protection. When I moved to CA my sister who still lives in WY inherited them.
For the years of use they have provided it was a time worthy project.

For a quick inexpensive shade cloth, try light weight, non-woven Pellon interfacing you will find at fabric store. That stuff can take a beating. It is made of polyester so UV wont break it down like nylon or cotton.

backwoodsgirl123 wrote:The old timers used to use slat fencing before shadecloth was invented. Used to use it to cover their greenhouse benches and ferns in the field.

You can get it at Tractor Supply. I think it comes in a 50' roll. The fence boards are 1" and they are wired together.

in the north country we call this snow fencing.

camprn wrote:

backwoodsgirl123 wrote:The old timers used to use slat fencing before shadecloth was invented. Used to use it to cover their greenhouse benches and ferns in the field.

You can get it at Tractor Supply. I think it comes in a 50' roll. The fence boards are 1" and they are wired together.

in the north country we call this snow fencing.

Oh, that's cool! (no pun intended)

But it does work!

It turns out my floating row cover didn't shade my box, just BAKED it Luckily most of what I put in was seed, so I think the damage is minimal.

Please, I need suggestions for a decent shade cover. Do I get burlap? shade netting? Use an old white sheet?

Also, I thought I was supposed to cover the whole box for bug reasons, but do I need to leave the sides open instead? I built one of the wagon frames over it this afternoon, so the cloth can attach to it and I can leave the sides open to vent. Here I go with my spade again!!

hruten wrote:It turns out my floating row cover didn't shade my box, just BAKED it Luckily most of what I put in was seed, so I think the damage is minimal.

Please, I need suggestions for a decent shade cover. Do I get burlap? shade netting? Use an old white sheet?

Also, I thought I was supposed to cover the whole box for bug reasons, but do I need to leave the sides open instead? I built one of the wagon frames over it this afternoon, so the cloth can attach to it and I can leave the sides open to vent. Here I go with my spade again!!

What are you trying to shade? What kind of bugs are you trying to keep out... I am not sure I am understanding .... Why do you want to cover things?

Hi Camprn, here I go again.

I thought my new 4x4 with fall items planted (seeds mostly) could use some shade. The box gets sun from about 8 am until about 3-4pm. It just seems like a lot of sun/heat for fall and cooler weather plants. I also thought I read in the book (and here) that seedlings need to be shaded? As for the bugs, I was hoping to keep the cabbage moths out. I'm not fond of picking off cabbage loopers.

*sigh* :scratch:

for creating shade, you can use just about anything but the fabric shouldn't touch the plants, there should be openings all around to allow the air to circulate. otherwise it becomes a greenhouse.

for protecting from bugs, you don't really need a cloth but rather a netting, the finer the better. i use tulle, which keeps out even very small bugs. this too must not be allowed to touch the plants, because bugs can still nibble and lay eggs thru the holes.

hruten wrote:I thought my new 4x4 with fall items planted (seeds mostly) could use some shade. The box gets sun from about 8 am until about 3-4pm. It just seems like a lot of sun/heat for fall and cooler weather plants.

they'll be fine, in fact they will probably germinate faster in the heat and will get well established before their season gets here.

I also thought I read in the book (and here) that seedlings need to be shaded? As for the bugs, I was hoping to keep the cabbage moths out. I'm not fond of picking off cabbage loopers.

*sigh* :scratch:

they don't have to be shaded, unless the sun is relentless and even then as long as they are getting enough water they will be fine. they certainly won't bolt, because the days are getting shorter, and the season WILL cool down.

you will probably find that you have much less problem with cool-season crops when planting for fall. the season when bugs are laying eggs is mostly over. in the deep south we sometimes have a second season for bugs, but that also means we have a second season for harvesting from the garden, so it works out.

You guys are the best!

I use burlap. I love it!



CC

I agree with rowena. Once the plants get established and if it remains very hot, you could put down a thin layer of mulch to keep the ground cooler, but the plants can still get the sun they need to grow well... I cover with tulle to keep out cabbage moths.

I have been using burlap, it lets the air circulate and rain get through , that is if there is any rain!

What's 'rain'???

I have lots of bell peppers and sun-scalding is beginning to be a problem. How about patio umbrellas? I have 5 canvas patio umbrellas my husband picked up free when a restaurant closed. I can stick them in the ground to cover the bells. Their height and their angle are adjustable. It might look a little funny but I know they are big enough to cover my 4x4's. Has anybody else used umbrellas?

Roseinarosecity wrote:I have lots of bell peppers and sun-scalding is beginning to be a problem. How about patio umbrellas? I have 5 canvas patio umbrellas my husband picked up free when a restaurant closed. I can stick them in the ground to cover the bells. Their height and their angle are adjustable. It might look a little funny but I know they are big enough to cover my 4x4's. Has anybody else used umbrellas?

What a great idea! And you will have the snazziest looking garden around!
:tiphat:

GG

raising the patio umbrella is how i protect the plants on my patio.