Shopping for the proper shade cloth for vegetable gardens can be challenging. These rolls of netting come in many different weave patterns and colors, and their ability to block out the sunlight can vary depending on the density of the netting.
These nets vary because they are each specially developed to accommodate specific plant species in particular environments. The right shade net will make a difference in your yields because it can protect your plants from insects, high temperatures, and sunburn. So, how do you select the correct shading for a vegetable garden? Let’s take a look.
What Percentage of Garden Shade Cloth is Best?
The best shade cloth for growing vegetables is a cloth that offers 20% – 40% shade. A shade percentage level below 20% usually doesn’t provide adequate protection from radiation and scorching rays.
Researchers also found that shade cloths with a shade percentage of over 40% block out too much sunlight and restrict photosynthesis, which causes plants to grow slower, more leggy, or hinders flowering. However, other factors, such as the following, impact the effect obtained from shade cloths.
1. Geographical Location
Farmers in warmer regions with more direct sunlight can benefit more from shade cloth with a 30 – 40% shade range, while those in colder and higher humidity regions can consider something with a lower percentage range of 20 – 30%.
2. Crop Type
Some vegetables are more sun-dependent than others, and the fruits of some species are more sensitive to sunburn. Legumes, for example, will start showing flower drops and other signs of damage when temperatures reach over 90 degrees F. On the other hand, strawberries will show signs of sunburn damage when temperatures reach over 105 degrees F.
3. Season
Your shade cloth needs might be different depending on the season. Temperatures are much lower during winter, and plants often have a hard time due to the lack of photosynthesis and the colder temperatures.
Farmers who like to produce crops throughout the year often invest in removable shade cloth systems to increase sunlight as the seasons progress. Exchanging a 40% shade cloth used in summer with a 20% cloth during autumn can be suitable for increasing your annual yields since crops could continue producing for much longer.
4. Cloth Durability
Shade cloth with a low shade percentage level is usually much thinner than cloth with a higher percentage. Lighter-shade fabrics tend to be more fragile and are more likely to tear or become damaged while they are in use.
If you are buying with longevity in mind, it is usually better to go with something a little bit thicker, even if that means altering the shade cloth’s orientation or the distance between the fabric and the crops.
5. Installation Method
Shade cloths can be used in different orientations, angles, or distances to protect crops. If you are using a shade cloth as a windscreen, you can select an 85 – 90% greenhouse shade cloth since this will offer optimal protection from frost.
Shade cloth used for partial shading can also have a higher shade percentage than those used for permanent installation. You can select something with 50% shade for partial shade since the plants will still get enough indirect sunlight. For an enclosed tunnel and permanent setup, selecting a 30% shade cloth is usually best since this tends to be the most diverse.
What Color of Shade Cloth is Best for Vegetables?
Shade cloth comes in various colors, and these different hues can significantly impact temperature because the fabric color impacts how radiation moves through the material.
Black is the most common color for shade cloths, but there are also other hues like white, silver, green, blue, and red. Some shade cloths even come with multiple colors woven through the fabric.
The combination of colors can affect how radiation is scattered and moves through the netting. This can be beneficial since scattered radiation has been known to enhance photosynthesis and can increase plant growth and flowering. Let’s look at the different effects of shade cloth coloring.
1. Black or Green Shade Cloth
These darker hues are much more durable than shade netting with a lighter tint. The darker colors do, however, conduct more heat and can dramatically increase the temperature of a greenhouse. These greenhouses can be cooled down a little by keeping the materials moist with spray nozzles during the hottest time.
In most cases, darker shade cloth might be a better option for plant species that are more heat tolerant or a more desirable option in colder regions since it can keep your greenhouse nice and cozy for longer.
2. White, Tan, or Grey Shade Cloth
Light-colored shade cloths are less durable than dark netting. Still, the interior temperature of these greenhouses tends to be much cooler since the materials tend to deflect UV rays and radiation.
Light shade cloth can be a perfect option for plants sensitive to high temperatures, for warmer regions, or can be very functional during the hottest time of the year.
Recommended Garden Shade Cloths
We have several suitable options if you are looking for quality agricultural netting to protect your vegetable gardens for years. Here is a quick look at some of the best home greenhouse or garden options.
1. 30% Tape Knitted Shade Fabric
The 30% knitted shade cloth roles are perfect for covering greenhouses or as temporary netting because they provide just enough shading to accommodate most crop varieties. The knitted weave pattern of the shade cloth is quite flexible and offers good tear resistance, so you can keep using it for a long time. It also comes in various colors, including white.
2. 30 – 90% Greenhouse Netting
INSONSHADE premium greenhouse netting is an ideal solution for covering more permanent structures. This netting is available in a 30% shade range up to 95% range to accommodate a greater variety of farming needs.
FAQ’s
1. What are The Benefits of Shade Netting?
Shade netting offers a magnitude of benefits. These nets help protect your crops from sunburn, wind, frost, and pests. Shade netting can also reduce water evaporation and increase humidity so plants can grow better. Shade netting can also affect temperatures and may prolong your growing season since it can offer protection from cold and heat, depending on its design.
2. What Types of Netting Are There?
These shade cloths come in two main categories;
Knitted Shade Net
The netting is designed with interlocking loops of treat, resulting in a more flexible material with a more stretchy nature and excellent tear resistance.
Woven Shade Net
The Woven shade net is designed with interlaced treads at straight angles in a weave pattern. The netting tends to be more rigid and often blocks more direct sunlight.
3. What are The Shading Ratings of Shade Cloths
Shade netting can block anything from 10% up to 90% sunlight, depending on the design and materials used for these products. A 10% netting will still let 90% of light and UV rays pass through the net, while a 90% net will only let 10% of sunlight through.
Conclusion
The right shade percentage for vegetables is 20 – 40% netting. A 30% shade cloth is ideal since the material is a bit thicker, more durable, and won’t block out too much sunlight. If you live in warmer regions, it is always best to use light-colored shade cloth. A darker hue can be more suitable for colder areas since it will raise the temperature of your vegetable garden.
If you are looking for the perfect shade of cloth or need more information on the suitable fabric for your products, we welcome you to email INSONGREEN. We are happy to answer any questions and help you find the right product for every crop type or region.
Reference List
- Using Shade for Fruit and Vegetable Production
- Shade Cloth and other aids for Cooling Plants – Phyllis Pugnetti
- Keeping it Cool: Shading for your Veggies – Dr Stepp0hanie Walker
- Shade Cloth for Bell Peppers – Emmalea Ernest
- Shade for Cooling Greenhouses – Centre for Agriculture
