shade cloth for summer lettuce

jmsieglaff 11/11/2013, 5:13 pm

I'm curious if anyone has experience using shad cloth for growing lettuce in the summer?

I'm thinking of using shade cloth (40%?) from a 6'x50' roll and cutting to size to cover 4'x4' beds. Since the shade cloth in a roll doesn't have grommets (which is good because I want to cut it to size) I'm thinking of using tarp instant grommets (like these http://www.amleo.com/product.aspx?p=TG12&kc=AMLSHOP13&crcat=pla+tools-hoes-cultivators-weeders~TG12&crsource=adwords&crkw=Tarp+Grabber+Instant+Grommets+Pack+Of+12&gclid=CNSgl4rT3boCFewRMwodAhUA_w

Anyone do anything like this before? The premade shade cloth with gromments doesn't seem to come in SFG friendly sizes.

Thanks!

CapeCoddess 11/11/2013, 7:03 pm

I used burlap on hoops over my greens during summer heat. It worked fine.

CC

**camprn** 11/11/2013, 7:11 pm

There are quite a few back threads about this subject. Type shade into the search box and they will pop up. okay

audrey.jeanne.roberts 11/11/2013, 7:37 pm

I used old window sheers in my garden this summer to excellent results and no cost Laughing

jmsieglaff 11/11/2013, 8:49 pm

Thanks for the replies so far. I would have guessed burlap would have been too thick and not let enough light through, but Farm and Fleet sells used coffee burlap sacks for $2, I could cut them in half and try those. I did search and read through some of the threads, but I was curious if anyone specifically used shade cloth from a roll and those anywhere, clamp-on grommets.

**camprn** 11/11/2013, 9:37 pm

I think there was a fella here last summer that was trying to rig something on his rooftop garden in.... India, I think...... I cannot rightly remember.

southern gardener 11/11/2013, 10:32 pm

jmsieglaff wrote:I'm curious if anyone has experience using shad cloth for growing lettuce in the summer?

I'm thinking of using shade cloth (40%?) from a 6'x50' roll and cutting to size to cover 4'x4' beds. Since the shade cloth in a roll doesn't have grommets (which is good because I want to cut it to size) I'm thinking of using tarp instant grommets (like these http://www.amleo.com/product.aspx?p=TG12&kc=AMLSHOP13&crcat=pla+tools-hoes-cultivators-weeders~TG12&crsource=adwords&crkw=Tarp+Grabber+Instant+Grommets+Pack+Of+12&gclid=CNSgl4rT3boCFewRMwodAhUA_w

Anyone do anything like this before? The premade shade cloth with gromments doesn't seem to come in SFG friendly sizes.

Thanks!

Yes. We have used weed cloth in the summer with good results. We grew lettuce and spinach and some beets too. We used the gray "weed fabric" however, and it worked really well. Nice and light. We just used clothes pins to fasten them over the covers on our beds, worked great. Hope this helps.

**sanderson** 11/12/2013, 2:38 am

jmsieglaff, Thanks for posting the link for those grommets. For a couple of years I have been trying to think how I could cover the small back yard with parachute silk runners. These might work for this project.

has55 11/12/2013, 6:04 am

Sanderson, what's is parachute silk runner?
I went on the net, but got only a book or links to a parachute. Do you have a picture or can you send me to a link? This has to do with some of my ideas related to fabric searches.
Thank you.

**sanderson** 11/12/2013, 12:21 pm

Has55, My internet connection is fritzy right now so I can't send a link. But, I found parachute silk material on eBay a year or so ago. I can't remember how wide it was but you could buy it by the yard and in different colors. I thought of white silk instead of canvas because it is so light and wouldn't put stress on our infrastructures.

You can probably find photos on HGTV website, under outdoor shade. Usually the material is in long runners, woven up and down between taut wires, rope, rails, etc. alternating with down and up on the next row.

This is a good example of needing a photo to explain it!! Very Happy

johnsonjlj 11/13/2013, 7:23 pm

Living in Florida, we get very strong noon and afternoon sun which will sunburn tomatoes, peppers,etc. This summer I used metal conduit and created a frame over my tomato and pepper plants and stretched the roll of sun shade cloth over it, then used zip ties to attach it to the conduit. It worked great!! The zip ties go right through the weave and didn't damage it, so I'll be able to use it next year.

Judi

Mikesgardn 11/15/2013, 6:43 pm

I use shade cloth to keep my garden from drying out while I am at work. On really hot days, it keeps the plants from wilting until I get home. But it doesn't allow me to grow lettuce in the summer. It reduces the sunshine, but not the air temp.

**sanderson** 11/16/2013, 2:20 am

Do you have a shady spot to grow lettuce in summer? The temps should be a little lower in shade. My lettuce got bitter during the summer so I pulled it.

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