Installing SHADE CLOTH on Greenhouse, High Tunnel, or Hoop House | DIY Greenhouse

[@time7813]

Another great video! I'm up at close to 52 degrees north latitude in central Canada with crushing summer heat and high sun-angles. In the 30x40 foot greenhouse I just acquired, I'm intending to grow tomatoes & peppers during the main part of the growing season and cool-season crops in the shoulder-season. No active heat source. Can you point me to any resources that might help me determine what sort of shade cloth might be appropriate in my context? (I like the look of those grommet-clips!)

[@tunnelvisionhoops]

Hi Tim, thanks for the kind words on this one as well. I did write a blog post on shade cloth for tomato plants a good while ago, and what I discovered in doing the research is that the various agricultural extension agencies across the US tended to recommend between 30% and 50%, and this is pretty much what I found regardless of whether the agricultural extension office was in Arizona or West Virginia. Here is a link to the blog post: www.tunnelvisionhoops.com/blogbest-shade-cloth-for-tomato-production-reduce-detrimental-scalding-and-shouldering/ Not sure how well this article would apply to your Canadian environment, but perhaps that blog post can start you down the rabbit-hole for what percentage shade cloth would be best for you.

[@raspower5960]

Great video! will this work just as well on a budget polytunnel that is clear with small green squares, mine one only has one door and some small vents so i was hoping if i covered it in shade cloth it will stop it getting so hot and still allow enough light through to grow tomato's etc.? Any advice is appreciated, i am In south spain and it can get very hot in the summer.

[@tunnelvisionhoops]

Thanks for watching and for the kind words. Shade cloth should always help with the interior temperature although it is very important for there to be ventilation of some kind to ensure the hottest air can move out of the structure. I am not familiar with the green square product you mention, however, increasing the shaded percentage of the structure definitely takes the edge off of temperatures. We have customers installing 50% shade and still growing tomatoes if that provides any additional context for you. Good luck!

[@daves1563]

Do you think you can spray paint Shadecloth camouflage for a gorilla greenhouse? I might try it on a small scale.

[@tunnelvisionhoops]

Hmm, good question. I have never done that personally, but I am aware that shade cloth alternatives exist that you essentially spray on the plastic covering.

[@bounjamin]

Here in my area of Canada I don't think we have as many affordable white poly shade cloth options. Shade compound can be mixed according to shade percentage desired and sprayed onto regular poly.