3 Ways To Use SHADE CLOTH To Protect Plants From Heat And Sun

For today's 2 minute garden tip, I show you 3 ways to use shade cloth to protect plants from heat and sun in your garden. Gardening in hot weather with a strong UV index can destroy your garden and damage plants. These three techniques protect plants from sun damage and garden heat stress.
Direct link to the 40% shade tarp used in the video: amzn.to/3zoCpzI
These shade cloths and shade tarps are my secret weapon to gardening in extreme heat, drought and strong sun. Even if you live in a climate with generally moderate summers, a single heat wave can cause irreversible damage to your plants. These shade tarps make gardening in a heat wave easy, and it pays to have a few on hand just in case.
If you have questions about how to use shade cloth to protect your garden, fruit trees and heat sensitive landscaping, growing a vegetable garden or growing fruit trees, want to know about the things I grow in my garden, are looking for more gardening tips and tricks and "garden hacks" like this, have questions about vegetable gardening and organic gardening in general, or want to share some DIY and "how to" garden tips and gardening hacks of your own, please ask in the Comments below!
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VISIT MY MERCHANDISE STORE
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VISIT MY OTHER KZbin CHANNEL: THE MILLENNIAL GARDENER
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EQUIPMENT I MOST OFTEN USE IN MY GARDEN (INDIVIDUAL LINKS)*:
Miracle-Gro Soluble All Purpose Plant Food amzn.to/3qNPkXk
Miracle-Gro Soluble Bloom Booster Plant Food amzn.to/2GKYG0j
Miracle-Gro Soluble Tomato Plant Food amzn.to/2GDgJ8n
Jack's Fertilizer, 20-20-20, 25 lb. amzn.to/3CW6xCK
Southern Ag Liquid Copper Fungicide amzn.to/2HTCKRd
Southern Ag Natural Pyrethrin Concentrate amzn.to/2UHSNGE
Monterey Organic Spinosad Concentrate amzn.to/3qOU8f5
Safer Brand Caterpillar Killer (BT Concentrate) amzn.to/2SMXL8D
Cordless ULV Fogger Machine amzn.to/36e96Sl
Weed Barrier with UV Resistance amzn.to/3yp3MaJ
Organza Bags (Fig-size) amzn.to/3AyaMUz
Organza Bags (Tomato-size) amzn.to/36fy4Re
Injection Molded Nursery Pots amzn.to/3AucVAB
Heavy Duty Plant Grow Bags amzn.to/2UqvsgC
6.5 Inch Hand Pruner Pruning Shears amzn.to/3jHI1yL
Japanese Pruning Saw with Blade amzn.to/3wjpw6o
Double Tomato Hooks with Twine amzn.to/3Awptr9
String Trellis Tomato Support Clips amzn.to/3wiBjlB
Nylon Mason Line, 500FT amzn.to/3wd9cEo
Expandable Vinyl Garden Tape amzn.to/3jL7JCI
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ABOUT MY GARDEN
Location: Southeastern NC, Brunswick County (Wilmington area)
34.1°N Latitude
Zone 8A
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©2 Minute Garden Tips
#gardening #gardeningtips #garden #shadecloth #heatwave

[@2MinuteGardenTips]

If you found this video helpful, please "Like" and share to help increase its reach! Thanks for watching 😀

[@janking2762]

I really like the “ short and sweet and to the point “ format of these two minute tips.

[@2MinuteGardenTips]

Thank you! I'm glad you like it.

[@frankparsley1913]

I can’t wait to try this. Our Texas summers are a beating. Thanks for sharing.

[@darrelldunman3627]

Living in the South shade cloth is a must. I started that about 7 years ago and it saves many things that used to get fried by August.

[@Angie-ci1lp]

Thank you! Right to the point of subject! Thanks for sharing Very informative 🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽

[@commonlaw5400]

You're brilliant! The constructing part-and what gizmos to buy to accomplish the goal-are always a stumbling block for me. Thank you so much for teaching me ANOTHER great build!

[@Doorkicker0351]

Zone 10b here in South FL. Next season I’m expanding the shade cloth area and upping it from 25% to a 40-50% shade cloth strength. It’s brutal this year. Your garden looks great!

[@mrfiskars]

All your videos are super formative and quick and to-the-point! This one carries on that great tradition

[@mrfiskars]

Also your post setting video was excellent!

[@susanc-c7817]

Love your great advice

[@ardevenuta37]

I'm building the tunnel on Sunday, precisely as you did. I have just under $300⁰⁰ in it. I didn't have the angle grinder for the rebar, as mine grew feet apparently, and so I bought another cheapo. But, I was able to find 100-ft of the electrical conduit for about $70⁰⁰ on Amazon, a huge bag of ½" clips for $19⁰⁰, adjustible clamps for $13⁹⁹ (You're a bit high in your store on everything) but your idea, is a winner. I got the 7ft T-posts for 7.⁶⁷ each, I got 6 of them. The REBAR, I got 5 of the 10-foot sections to cut down, so I'll have 10. Finally, the 40% cloth is 12x36ft, and I got that for $59⁹⁹ . I think it is or will be sturdy. We lost about everything last year in South Texas. It was blazing hot, and despite our best efforts, a lot of water, it just didn't work out. You'd think "full sun" means just that. It doesn't say, full "South Texas Sun", which is as hot as Haites.. It aint' Missouri, we learned that too, amongst the many other, often expensive lessons down here.

[@christinecrowley7132]

Great tip.

[@TearDrop455]

Thank you! You speak nice and clear 😊

[@2MinuteGardenTips]

You're welcome!

[@sylvia10101]

Great info! Thank you MG😊👍

[@2MinuteGardenTips]

You're welcome!

[@darlene4451]

You are so creative. Thank you so much.

[@2MinuteGardenTips]

You are welcome!

[@melanieallen8980]

great! thankyou..ooohhh I like your shade hoophouse!

[@2MinuteGardenTips]

Thank you!

[@manikiingtipi4635]

Well information

[@jhh243]

Brother, i had everything but was stuck on the “clips”. Thank you so much for linking that product. Liked and subscribed

[@valoriegriego5212]

You're got my mind going...where to put the shade tunnel next year!👍Thanks!😃

[@joyworthen]

Ditto.

[@2MinuteGardenTips]

It was pretty easy to build, too. It only took maybe 2 hours.

[@valoriegriego5212]

@@2MinuteGardenTips Cool!😃

[@thammaviswanadh8015]

Excellent ideas

[@2MinuteGardenTips]

Thank you!

[@sweetpea6144]

Excellent idea - what’s the width of the TPost/conduit set up? Thinking of trying this over 2 raised beds I have & possibly make one hoop system. Thanks

[@MegaBpop]

I live in south central Texas. 60’days of triple digits. Could I use this on my lawn to protect it from the sun. Right now my Zoyia Grass looks like hay - we are in a strict water usages do you recommend me putting the shade cloth on top of my grass or on poles like you did? Thank You ! I gave a thumbs up!

[@talapeanutbutter4250]

I’m in the panhandle of Florida. It’s June 15, 2024 and was 100 today! I’m new to gardening and my 10 tomato plants had been doing pretty well until a week ago. They started looking wilted, so I started the drip irrigation early morning then around 5:50pm. Today, I pulled one out and disposed of it unsure if it’s stress or a wilt disease. I sprayed all of my garden w/aspirin a few days ago, ( 1 tablet to a gallon of water) my cucumbers, zucchini, yellow squash and peppers aren’t being affected. Do u leave the shade cloth on when it’s this hot?

[@terrim.602]

Why didn't you put cable on top, under, on top pattern to make the sail stable instead of billowing up?

[@Chris-zr6ql]

do these work on street lamps? at night the street lamps hit my garden do you think i can put one up to cover the street lighs at night from hitting my garden?

[@Newyorkgardener585]

I subscribe to ur channel 💯💯💯💯 good stuff 💯💯💯

[@2MinuteGardenTips]

Thank you so much for your support! I *really* appreciate it!

[@mkulchar]

Had crazy heat here lately and stress killed my cantaloupe plants. With a cloth work to help with that what % is best 40?

[@michelerichard5523]

I bought a transparent mesh tarp. Will that work

[@embededfabrication4482]

Will it work in the desert?

[@archstanton9703]

When do you plan on removing the shade cloth? I’ve been using shade cloth for the last three summers out here in the southwest desert. While it’s protected the tomato and pepper plants by the sun, I wonder if I should remove it when the temperature goes down. My garden in on the north side of our yard close to our house. Any suggestions? Cheers!

[@2MinuteGardenTips]

I removed the shade cloth over the figs a few days ago. The figs weren't ripening properly in the shade and getting mold in the eyes, so it had to come down now that they're trying to ripen and the worst of the UV index is gone. I'll probably take the shade cloth down from the garden in 1-2 weeks. We have a wonderful cool front passing over us now, so it appears the seasons are starting to change.

[@archstanton9703]

@@2MinuteGardenTips The sun is still pretty brutal, so I’m going to remove the shade cloth next month but will look into bug netting to keep the bugs and birds at bay. Thanks for the reply!

[@bobrowninghorton4976]

Hey I live in southeastern North Carolina too I was wondering when do you put up your shade cloth and how long do you leave it on or do you take it down and put it back up

[@2MinuteGardenTips]

Usually in July. That's when the sun gets too oppressive. Usually, come mid-August, while it's still really hot, the UV index has dropped enough that it can come down. It's up for probably 45-60 days. It'll depend on the season we're having.

[@bobrowninghorton4976]

@@2MinuteGardenTips oh ok so you usually put the shade cloth up when we get consistent days above 95 and you still leave it up on cooler or rainy days

[@shawnmoore1628]

How would a heavy rain effect it?

[@MikeR65]

That’s some pretty shady information!!!

[@2MinuteGardenTips]

😂Thanks for watching!

[@MrThamthan]

😂😂nice

[@yairmartinez2251]

😂

[@janking2762]

You might want to clip the shade cloth to the cables to prevent abrasion of the cloth against the cables.

[@2MinuteGardenTips]

The cloth doesn't really rub against the cables. It really only blows "up," not down, so there isn't any rubbing. Clipping it won't work, because there are no grommets in the center and no way to clip it. Any clipping on the fine shade material would tear it.

[@RotorBotanical]

Pretty amazed at your tomatoes clips holding up. I ordered them through your Amazon store but 80% of them break at the hinge. I was going to try to black or green ones.

[@2MinuteGardenTips]

That's odd. Mine have lasted multiple seasons, and I've placed multiple orders. You may have gotten a bad batch. If you find them snapping when they're fresh, return them for a fresh batch. They usually last 2 full seasons before they dry-rot.

[@RotorBotanical]

@@2MinuteGardenTips will do. They are pretty much essential in the garden now.

[@kerrydeshotels9691]

What do you do in high winds?

[@cottagefarmflowers]

Do you think 40% shade is enough for Florida zone 9b? Harbor freight sells 60% and I don't know which one to buy.

[@2MinuteGardenTips]

Yes, I think so. Eventually, you get to be too much of a good thing. Your summers are virtually identical to mine with the same UV intensity, so if it works for me during the peak, it should work fine for you. Any more and it may stunt your plants.

[@TheRainHarvester]

If you restrict the cloth from moving in wind, it'll last MUCH longer. Has yours ripped any?

[@kerrydeshotels9691]

Guess you need to take it down, or suffer damage?

[@souljahaden6184]

Not sure the amount of shade I should provide for my blueberries in western facing garden, it typically gets pretty hot here uv index around 10 in the summer and reaching 100 degrees

[@2MinuteGardenTips]

40% is the most popular. I would suggest that. For me, I put the shade cloth up in late May and take it down in September. 40% works perfectly for me in North Carolina. Now, it's entirely possible in your region, 40% may not be enough in the absolute dead of July when the sun is brutal and you may need something more, but the bigger risk is giving them too much shade when it first goes up and later in the season. It's easier to give them a little extra protection by tossing another cover on top of the shade cloth for a few weeks when the sun is worst than to have too much shade for months on end.

[@vernajoy441]

What size shade cloth do you have? (The 2nd suggestion)

[@2MinuteGardenTips]

I have all different sizes. It depends what I'm covering. The large ones are the 48' cloths.

[@DaLucaciShow]

Myman,i never use stainless steel cables anymore,it heats up and burns the plastic,fabric or anything it comes in touch with

[@2MinuteGardenTips]

These cables do not become hot at any time in the sunlight. They are always cool to the touch, even if it's 95 degrees out with clear skies.

[@ridin_low193]

Holly smokes you look a lot more fit from your younger self

[@2MinuteGardenTips]

I'm a lot healthier since moving here mentally. When I first relocated, life in the Northeast was really beating me up. Since then, I started a better job and I spend all my free time outside working in the garden in the sun or walking Dale. It's amazing what a better job, more sun and warmer weather can do for you.

[@ridin_low193]

@@2MinuteGardenTips that’s awesome bro. That was my first video of yours I watch and and since have seen a few more and eventually subscribed lol.