How to Protect Your Plants From Weather

All gardeners deal with weather in outdoor gardens. It varies by climate and location, but severe weather is often the worst thing that can happen to garden plants. Gardener Scott discusses and demonstrates how he protects his garden from severe weather. (Video #374)
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[@gardeninjake]

Ive got near 100 degree temps coming next week in Southern Illinois. That ought to finish off my kohlrabi. But my okra will prolly put on its sunglasses and lean back and bask in the heat.

[@aporter701]

Yep,okra ( or here in Ark.okrey) loves the heat. Mine's growing like weeds presently. 🤠👌

[@scottstewart6260]

yup, gonna be watering corn and beans here in KY every day during the heatwave. we got a late start with the cold snap, then torrential rains, now heatwave.

[@scruffydarealog2632]

It was 106 yesterday for me in CA

[@char8a291]

It’s 103 today in north Tx. I moved all my containers under a pecan tree for shade for the next few days until shade cloth arrives. Couldn’t move cucumber because they’re hooked onto cattle panel. Putting golf umbrellas to protect it. Not real sure what Um doing but I’m learning!👍🌱 I’m a senior with back issues so raised beds are not an option. Hoops would be great if possible.

[@laurashepherd9979]

I hear you, my friend! I'm in Suburban Oklahoma City, with containers for EVERYTHING. The torrential rain has been a problem. The 60-80 mph. WINDS blow the leaves off. The near 100° heat will likely finish off this very expensive venture. I will be 63 y.o. next month. I have MS, and Fibromyalgia. I was outside 3 days ago in the heat of the morning, already at 80°. Just found out that THE PATIO is too hot, so I put a few of the planters on a pallet. The sun has caused fading in the leaves of many plants, but you are right, the OKRA is the only thing doing well. I started getting heat exhaustion and vomiting, so I had to drop everything and come in. Here I am, 3 days later, and still feeling tingly, faint, and weak, and I still have cucumbers that need planting. They aren't looking too good, and insects are moving in.

[@hobbygardeninthewoods]

That’s actually amazing! The beauty of pots is you can actually move them. Can’t do that with a stationary bed

[@bcrouch2626]

You can also use old trampoline black netting. My grandchildren's trampoline broke so I got the old safety netting that goes around it when they got a new one

[@joyceruddy584]

This may be the best tip I have heard in a long time. Thanks!

[@garynorcal4269]

As always .. great content.. New goals for me .. 1. Acquire additional hooping / trellis. 2. Acquire medium shade cloth. Learn more techniques to protect plants from weather .. especially summer heat.

[@sjk7314]

I like this way of clarifying little goals for yourself. Also, had to click on your photo to see what instrument you had. I played clarinet in the Wisconsin National Guard Band:)

[@garynorcal4269]

Nice to meet a fellow guard musician. I was in the Utah 23rd Army band for 22 years and finished at age 60 in the 59th AB/40th ID band in California after another 13 years.

[@jodieh4739]

I live in COS and the weather is definitely my biggest issue. This spring was exceptionally windy. Followed by a really hot stretch in early May that threatened all my cool weather stuff, only to be followed by a foot of snow and cold week in late May. I was out scraping snow off a little popup greenhouse with a brush for our cars to keep it from collapsing. Everything is so extreme here. The sun is also super intense and even sun loving things need some shade here. I love overhearing things at the garden center like, "Full sun doesn't really mean full sun here."

[@mapofthesoultagme7143]

Where is COS?

[@margoeastman923]

@@mapofthesoultagme7143 ... I think it's prob...Colorado Springs, CO. That's my guess...🌺

[@Gradechecker1]

I thought it was City of the Sun in NM.

[@highlandscommunityclub1160]

Shade cloth saved my lettuce this week. I ordered another one. I know I’ll be using them quite a bit again this summer. I bought a Greenstalk, i love it! With the cost of produce we’re seeing, it will pay for itself this year.

[@LauraGYoung]

Watering my Northern Colorado garden super early this morning in anticipation of 100F (38C) heat, I thought to myself, "Gardener Scott should do a video about protecting plants from all the crazy weather swings we've been experiencing." Looks like my wish was granted! Thanks. :)

[@AdventureIndiana]

I could not imagine getting your garden flattened by the hail. What a kick in the gut that would be. We have had brutal heat and no rain. We finally got a break this weekend

[@denver1865]

Really good ideas in this video. As a lifelong Colorado gardener, my philosophy is "Be Forewarned" because nearly anything can and will happen!! Your hoops are amazing.

[@garden_geek]

Wow! That shot of all the hail caught by the hail tarp is amazing. Hail is quite rare here but a few years back we got a real bad hail that left holes in everything for the rest of the year. I felt helpless watching out the window as everything just got smashed. If it was a regular occurrence here I’d absolutely invest in one of those hail tarps. Very impressive.

[@lenaquagliato8852]

I live in Colorado Springs and went out looking for shade cloth yesterday and every Lowes near me was sold out (because of gardeners) but what was strange was that most of the garden workers (even at Harding nursery) didn’t know what I was talking about or why I would need it… I had to order some online

[@dwaynewladyka577]

Colorado is just like Alberta. The weather can change so often, even in one week. It's best to know how to adapt to what happens. Thanks for sharing this. Cheers, Scott!

[@elaines5179]

And remember May 21 this year we had about a foot of snow in Colorado Springs as well. I kept most of my plants in pots and trays, and carried them indoors for that, and for all cold nights..

[@MK-ti2oo]

Gotta love those Colorado hail storms. We lived in Woodland Park at about 10k ft elevation. The softball size hail and crazy snow storms are not missed so much.

[@yesterdayseyes]

My garden flooded last night, thankful my plants are in raised beds

[@DanCooper404]

It's currently 67° here in Western New York, getting up into the low-to-mid 70's today. We're getting some light rain, then will have sun this afternoon. This truly is a great place to garden. ❤

[@hawtenslaton4307]

Yes, Colorado is a tough place to garden. Great ideas on the hail cloth, shade cloth, netting, etc!

[@danarzechula3769]

My shade cloth last year was cardboard worked well to keep my lettuce from bolting just a bit labor intensive putting up and taking down

[@kbjerke]

A greenhouse is on my "todo" list! But right now my expenses are with emergency solar energy. The list never ends!! Thank you for your videos!

[@highlandscommunityclub1160]

I’m with ya on the solar! Expecting rolling blackouts later this summer...

[@GardenerScott]

I make my own hoops. Here's how I do it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnnVpmebj65kjKM

[@arnoldreiter435]

I live in south central Montana....weather is my biggest challenge. cold nights well into spring, heat approaching triple digits in summer are just the norm. This year has been the wettest i can remember and my peppers needed a break from the rain....lol. This video was just the reminder i needed to get a real plan in place before i am left looking at a devastated garden after some severe weather event.

[@natalieharris3869]

This is the best channel on KZbin!!!

[@janeteholmes]

Wow! Where are you that the gods throw such missiles down? Drought and heat are my big problems. Going to try the plastic over hoops to get things starred earlier though. Thx!

[@NataliaLeigh]

So many great ideas; thank you! I'm a beginner gardener, and my garden just got devastated by hail 😰

[@brianseybert2189]

If it was not for shade cloth I probably would not have had the tomato harvest I had last year. Early June last year was dry and hot, my tomato flowers would form and drop off. The leaf curl was so severe that the leaves never recovered. I put up shade cloth and saved my tomatoes. Needles to say, my shade cloth is already up. Another great video!

[@char8a291]

Hi Brian I’m curious what did you connect your shade cloth to? Wood, metal poles, bamboo? I’m searching for the easiest most efficient method without needing an engineering degree. Thanks👍🌱

[@jdwalker13351]

You give me hope to garden in Colorado. In the western slope I had great results but now that I am in the Springs it has been really challenging. Love the content

[@DJ-nb7fm]

This was very timely for me! Thank you!

[@hobbygardeninthewoods]

I always learn so much from gardener Scott!

[@frankanselmo5479]

Extremely time and informative as always!

[@eliandkate]

Loving the multi use hoops and spring clamps… genius idea

[@adampetherick6266]

That's a good idea thank you I don't know why no one talks about this thank you

[@anothergoogleuser]

Thanks for sharing.

[@caroleangel9287]

What a helpful video. Thank you so much for all you share with us…

[@hectorquintero8941]

I’ve always wanted to try gardening but I don’t know how to start. I just found your videos yesterday and watched a few of them yesterday. Know you have me thinking I could do this especially watching the survival video.

[@scottolson6201]

I learned how to make hoops from cattle panels by watching your channel. They work great and are really convenient when I have to install row covers or shade cloth. Thanks for your great content.

[@takeitslowhomestead5218]

Thank you!

[@tassiegirl1991]

You have such a lovely relaxed voice which on top of sharing your lengthy experience, makes it so easy to listen and learn from you thank you again. I use the hoop system but in Aus cant find that cattle grid mesh which would be such a boon for various reasons.

[@karenkoerner6015]

Great topic. We need to become more resilient by learning and practicing new techniques to prevent weather and pest damage.

[@borracho-joe7255]

I use a lot of 40% shade cloth here in LA. Helps a lot when it gets in the 90s and 100s. I see you have quite the “hail-hunter”!

[@heidiclark6612]

What a very timely video! This spring has been the weirdest one since we moved here. Put on the cover.....Take off the cover etc. Now we are having thunderstorms. I need to get some hoops.

[@lightwavz]

I have the same Planta Sungrow greenhouse and it is packed to the eaves with bucket gardens. with 100° heat coming on today, I have 50% shade cloth up and am watering the floor every 2 hours. So far so good! I only hope my snow peas do so well outside!

[@dellapeachey9591]

Hi Gardener Scott. We are going to be in the 90's all this coming weel. suppose to hit 99 on Tuesday. I'm in SC Iowa zone 5b. We have had a lot of rain so I haven't had to water. I do check my containers & raised beds. I have one of those gauges that check for soil dry to wetness. I use a "weed barrier cloth" for my sun guard for my garden. Putting it over my hoops. Right now this is all I have. We'll see how it works next week. :)

[@margoeastman923]

Scott... I really enjoyed your video...TFS...🙂

[@talkingstick2u]

Great topic Scott! Necessity is the mother of creation. I always say "Growing is one thing and protecting your plants is another.... whether it's from the weather or the deer, bear, raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, birds, insects and more." I'm on Blue Mountain and have similar thoughts on protection. Hubby and I built a geodesic dome greenhouse on a hill using a deck, knee wall and jungle gym as well as a "garage greenhouse" which I can roll my towers in or out of even in winter months just by opening the garage door. I have cattle panels as trellises and use bamboo which I've split the long way, sanded and use to make gothic style tunnels off of the cattle panel along with some engineered touches and other structures. I also have a cattle panel tunnel which I built on our sloped yard.... so many challenges lead to some innovative designs! I had my days with tower gardening too but used 55 and 30 gallon drums on round dollies which I just cut in thirds this year and am using as mini-raised beds that I can roll inside in severe weather - great in my driveway, garage greenhouse and dome all of which get the most sun in my yard. Really enjoy your videos Scott!

[@chrisfisher3900]

Nothing like busting your butt for a couple weeks just to see a hail storm roll in😖

[@ftoftheX]

Onions looking good!

[@gwenmangelson]

GREAT VIDEO!

[@johnjude2685]

Good tips Thanks

[@tirusew]

What you had to go through to have harvest. Only love of gardening not the cost associated with the results of produce make sense. Even in my small garden It would’ve been cheaper for me to buy than working in my garden cost less. I love gardening like you do.

[@dustyflats3832]

This has to be the single most important video on gardening for our times! These protections are Very necessary especially the shade cloth for many plants to survive our extreme weather changes. Peppers and tomatoes stop flowering if too hot, cat facing and cracking if moisture not steady and sunburn. I can attest to the difference of shade cloth vs. no shade cloth. Drought of 2012 I had the best tomatoes using shade cloth. I love the fact you have the different cloths/plastic cut to size--I'm getting there. I bought a large shade cloth, but I believe I will need to cut to size for manageability. The larger tend to fly pretty crazy in storms without heavy duty cage. I see your hail cloth holds plenty of hail to keep it in place😄 The clips that fit over conduit, PVC pipe or smaller ones for cattle panels are quick and easy. Are you using 30% shade cloth in zone 5b? Thank you for the great info!

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks. I tend to use 40% shade cloth over most beds.

[@nancyarchibald9095]

Yep, S E Idaho's Spring is notorious for WIND. These seedings are hardened off and ONLY the robust survived. Even in Residencial neighborhoods with fences and trees, the plants take a beating. Once the Mittleider Baling twine gets strung and wound up these little ones, they'll have a great chance. I REALLY LIKE the idea of hoops, but $$ funds are going elsewhere right now. Your Garlic plants look marvelous btw. Thx for your 👍 useful hints and tips.

[@paulashuck8042]

Sometimes it seems like "extreme" is the only type of weather we have here in Oklahoma. Hopefully, my shade cloth will save my tomatoes from the 107-degree temps predicted for tomorrow.

[@IHaveNoLaifu]

I've been struggling with one of my plants lately that had been fuss free up till now. Since march, had been growing in my greenhouse in a 2 gallon growbag. Last Tuesday, I repotted it into a 16 gallon bag and moved it outside with the other big bags holding my radishes and carrots. We've been having on and off storms in Missouri, and the radishes and carrots have been fine, so I didn't think anything of it. By Wednesday afternoon, the plant began drooping, so I brought it back onto the greenhouse, worried that the downpour had been drowning it. Ever since, I've noticed that in the early morning and night, it looks nice and healthy, but during the day, it droops. I think it's getting too hot in the greenhouse, but we're still getting sporadic downpours. I might try moving it back outside with a cover.

[@GardenerScott]

It's normal for most plants to wilt during the heat of day and perk up in cooler temperatures.

[@bcrouch2626]

I use the wedding veil netting

[@sjk7314]

Mala..."Bad weather is my fav!"

[@iwenive3390]

It’s 108 in Tucson today

[@chetfuhrman6390]

Gardener Scott - Don’t know if you have electricity in your greenhouse, but if you do, a company called ACF Greenhouse Fans and Shutters has a great system to remove greenhouse heat. Also, using a 40% aluminum net shade cloth over your greenhouse helps to control high heat too. As you know, temps can get very high in the greenhouse, to high for many plants. Highly recommend both. Gardener Chet

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks, Chet. I don't have electricity but am planning to install solar fans and shade cloth.

[@sharonchidos4099]

First attempt at gardening this year. I live in high desert and have 1 raised bed 17"h x 6'l x 3'w. I want to use shade cloth w/hoops, but how do I get under the hoops. Thank you for all your help.

[@GardenerScott]

The shade cloth doesn't need to cover the entire hoop so you can leave space between the soil and the bottom of the cloth. And/or use spring clamps to secure it. They remove quickly for easy access.

[@TuttleScott]

around here its not the weather, its the animals you fight with.

[@MichaelJosephJr934]

Thanks for the video Scott. Great topic. QUESTION: One of my favorite crops is Lettuces. I'm in Chicago Zone 5. I'm succession planting but it seems like one super hot day makes them bolt. If I use shade cloth will that slow bolting in the hot summer? If so what percent would you recommend? Thanks in advance!

[@GardenerScott]

Shade cloth should slow bolting. You might consider 50%-60%.

[@chestyvulva]

Cool shirt! I really like that. 👍

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks! It's available through the link under my videos.

[@Paula_T]

Just came in from trying to water amidst the usual 35-55 mph wind gusts here. ugh. Everything outside gets beaten to death, not to mention the wind drying out everything almost immediately. it also blows away most of the mulch at the same time. It seems like it's been getting worse over the last several years. Tuille netting is useless, it won't last even a day in this wind. Shade cloth on hoops sails away.... I've resorted to staking them (over cattle panel also) with T posts to hold them in place. I just put up most of a green house like yours, but I'm afraid to try to install the polycarbonate panels until a day we finally have no wind.... maybe this fall.... My consolation is we don't get your hail, or nearly any precip for that matter... so at least there's that, LOL. Reno, High Desert.

[@tmorrison5965]

i live in Eastern Washington high desert and feel your pain about the wind. it's almost constant. I'm so jealous of these gardeners that can mulch, have little sweet trellises, & things that would be down the street if I had them out. I had a hoop house with pvc piping and the drag on the pipe from the wind broke it after a month or so...gardening aint for sissies am i right?

[@essentialcomforts2166]

do you have a recommendation for good hail cloth? I also live in colorado so I want to get one but dont want to waste money having to replace it often. Hardware cloth also works well. I saw a setup at home depot where the plants were under a hardware cloth on wood posts.

[@GardenerScott]

I got mine from greenhousemegastore.com and it's still holding up after two full seasons.

[@t-a9402]

Never trust a youtube gardener who doesn't have a little dirt on their pants! Great video, Gardener Scott!👍

[@cammycary4544]

Many thanks for this information! Newbie here. How do you decide what percentage of blockage? What was the black one in your video?

[@umiluv]

I believe 40% is for veggies. You can Google the percentages for shade cloth and there’s a few sites that state what each percentage is good for.

[@GardenerScott]

I use 40%, which is a good general purpose blockage.

[@sleaterm]

Are your hoops hog panel? How did you install them? Do they make it hard to weed? And what kind of clamps are you using? From a fellow Colorado gardener. 😁

[@GardenerScott]

They are cattle panels, which are similar. With mulch on the beds I don't have any problem weeding. Here are the types of clamps I use: amzn.to/3Oh2AhP

[@brock5925]

Hey Gardener Scott, I use masterblend blend fertilizer this year. Been having a lot of rain so far this year, so no need to water. What is your suggestion for fertilizing when you don’t want to water?

[@GardenerScott]

I suggest using organic matter like compost to amend soil. Healthy soil doesn't need extra fertilizer and helps retain water so you don't need to water as often.

[@brock5925]

@@GardenerScott thanks my friend. Have you ever used chip drop? I’m in New York, lower Hudson valley. Chip drop connects you with tree companies and they will drop off wood chips for free. I just got 20 yards. Lots of work. But great for garden!

[@debrajones5305]

Do you think I can use a white bed sheet as a shade cloth for plants (not seedlings) with this weeks 100* temps forecasted?

[@GardenerScott]

Sure. That can work.

[@ldemott7971]

Can I use burlap fabric as a quick “shade cloth” option? I can’t find shade cloth in my local gardening stores.

[@GardenerScott]

Sure, burlap can be good.

[@debramurphy4295]

I have purple wedding veil material. Tied on my tomatoes rings Right now. Hot! Hot!

[@davin2325]

I wish I would’ve seen this video sooner! SE Oklahoma had a ton of rain the month of May and it drowned my plants because I didn’t have any cover for it. Definitely going to use these ideas in the future tho! I still have trouble with the soil being too wet. Even tho now it’s really hot it’s extremely humid. I feel like I haven’t had to water my garden in so long because the soil according to the feel of it and my moisture meter it’s too wet and taking forever to get to a normal level. Any idea of why the soil is staying too wet? Even after I did cover with some plastic to keep some rain out it still just never dried enough.

[@GardenerScott]

Have you had a soil test done to determine your soil composition? Clay soil will stay wet longer than sandy soil.

[@davin2325]

@@GardenerScott I haven’t! I’ll do that and see what I find out

[@Lolalolajones]

Hi, how can I wind proof my raise bed? The wind is taking the whole cover away with clamps included 😢

[@GardenerScott]

I like my cattle panel hoops. They are heavy and the ends are cut to make prongs that dig into the soil. They don't budge when my winds exceed 50mph.

[@nickberndsen]

good advice though

[@avrellfrancis6785]

Greetings Gardener Scott, question jow do l protect my plant from cats anc chickens, what should l put around my vegetable garden?

[@GardenerScott]

Hoops with bird netting can keep both out.

[@jtimbs1]

Would you please tell me where you bought that greenhouse?

[@GardenerScott]

It is a Planta greenhouse.

[@DonnyPlunkett]

Hi Gardener Scott, What % shade cloth do you use to protect your vegetable plants when the temperature reaches 100° or higher?

[@GardenerScott]

Most of my shade cloth is 40%.

[@media333]

I have some 2' high or so hoops with insect netting on them. Can I put hail netting right on top of the insect netting?

[@GardenerScott]

Sure. You may not need to cover the entire hoop with the hail cloth, just the top portion.

[@media333]

@@GardenerScott I'm thinking if I don't cover all the insect netting, hail could damage it. Does insect netting create a warming inside or shade? Should I expect to have to remove it come warmer weather? (I know certain plants will need bees or hand pollination.) Thanks!

[@ttschrock7126]

Can you please tell me the name brand of your greenhouse? Thank you. Northern Colorado here! :-)

[@GardenerScott]

It's a Planta greenhouse from Canada. I'm very happy with it. plantagreenhouses.com/gardenerscott

[@timothyshanley1132]

Scott where do you get your hoops from, thx Tim

[@yvoennsche]

They are cattle panels

[@GardenerScott]

Timothy, I make my own. Here's how: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnnVpmebj65kjKM

[@josephmunoz640]

What’s are those hoops called?

[@GardenerScott]

Those are made from cattle panels.

[@debbiethompson9853]

Talk about the hoops. Who makes them?

[@gaylecorwin3460]

He's got a great video from a couple of years ago about how he makes them himself out of cattle panel---super cheap and easy! 😃

[@GardenerScott]

I make all my own hoops. Here's how I do it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnnVpmebj65kjKM

[@davidfrye1921]

What's the brand of your greenhouse?

[@GardenerScott]

It is a Planta greenhouse.

[@Susan79pojhmoob]

How do u get your green onions that big?

[@GardenerScott]

By amending the soil with organic matter like compost.

[@lorindav5549]

What percentage is your shade cloth?

[@GardenerScott]

It is 40%.

[@timothyshanley1132]

Are they cattle panels?

[@GardenerScott]

Yes, they are. From a ranch supply store.