Protect Your Garden From HEAT With SHADE CLOTH For Incredible Results!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

If you enjoyed this video, please “Like” and share it to help extend its reach! Thanks for watching 😀TIMESTAMPS for convenience: 0:00 Introduction 0:53 Why Your Garden NEEDS Shade Cloth 4:39 When To Install Shade Cloth 6:46 How To Install Shade Cloth 8:27 Installing Shade Cloth On A High Tunnel 12:44 Shade Cloth And Wind 14:56 Reducing Irrigation And Controlling Pests 18:25 Adventures With Dale

[@noahmiller6115]

I'm sitting here looking at my shade cloth folded up and the UV index is 11 again in LA. You win. I'm hanging it up right now. Thanks for the motivation.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You won’t regret it!

[@noahmiller6115]

It's up now and there are signs of blight on my smallest tomato clones.

[@nellieblighhill4575]

I think you need two ladders, one at either end. Saves carrying it back and forth. Having just turned 64, I look for joint saving solutions. Be careful as a bad accident can be worse than a plague of grasshoppers to your life.

[@Watchoutforsnakez]

Maybe I missed it. What is the rule of thumb WHEN to employ my shade cloth? Thank you so much. ❤

[@terrylongest2298]

@@Watchoutforsnakez I believe Anthony not only stressed 80-90 degrees but when UV Index is over 8. It is time.

[@teresadelgado1372]

Last week I just finished installing my 13 x 13 feet tunnel thanks to your guidance. Sometimes was a bit difficult but I made specially been a women and 68 years old. It was a challenge put is done and I cannot be more happy. My figs and tomatoes are under it and still have some space. This past weekend of June 8 and 9 we had heat index of 104 of central Florida and the humidity is climbing too. Thanks you for your help, the measures, where to get what it was needed and your guidance.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Excellent work! Great job!! It's some work in the beginning, but it is going to change everything for you. I think Florida's thunderstorm season is finally kicking off and the high temps are gone for awhile...but then comes the humidity 😓

[@James-kl7ig]

​@@TheMillennialGardenerman every time I need info you are on top of it

[@caddymac6917]

​@@TheMillennialGardenernot yet in north fl 95 + rest of the week

[@crimsonlu89]

​@TheMillennialGardener Florida Panhandle here, same county as Panama City/ the Beach. Thunderstorm season still gives us little relief. It's been up to 114 with the heat index already, even with showers the other day we were reaching 106 with heat index/UV index. I've had to move my peppers and tomatoes under the pole barn a month ago. If there's anything I've learned gardening here, it's that "full sun" or "sun loving" doesn't necessarily mean "Florida full sun" , even in late spring and early summer. I'm going to follow your advice and try shade cloth this year

[@Arnumations]

I agree! Thank you for the information!❤

[@hopecantrell8436]

Central NC Zone 7 here. I installed a shade cloth last year mid June and ALL of my tomatoes stayed healthy all season!! Thank you so much for your videos!! They’re the best!!!!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It's an absolute game-changer. My tomatoes are dead in late July without it. It's just incredible.

[@mikencrew8885]

I agree. I put mine up 4-5 days ago and my tomatoes are doing amazing

[@wvdiggingroots]

I built my cable system today for shade fabric. My garden is 30 by 30. Shade fabric is 40 by 40. Tomorrow morning at 530 am I'll be out finishing up my garden shade

[@CajunCannabis]

Can't wait to get mine going..

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I think you're going to love it. What will blow your mind is how much more comfortable it'll be for you working in the garden. It's torture working out in the open garden this time of year, but under the shade cloth, gardening is a joy!

[@richardmercado6700]

I live just down the street in Jacksonville....I do something like this for my garden but sure is a pain when hurricanes start popping up! Got to take it all down and put it back up! But I have beautiful vegetables because of it!

[@marchettejw]

I put some shade cloth up for my pepper bed, and now my cats are lounging around between the pepper plants.

[@Technogodd]

it is 106 F tomorrow here in Bakersfield -CA.Summer is here it is a must for us. I had no clue these things before i found your channel.Thank you ! Great information.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

This will make 106F feel comfy. Since you have low dew points, shade cloth is even more effective. When you walk underneath, it will seriously feel like air conditioning. It's incredible here with absolute muck-like humidity, and where you live, it'll make an even bigger difference.

[@Technogodd]

Yes absolutely. Just because I don't know the nature of growing, KZbin channel like yours help greatly rookies like us to get to know the tool's and accessories for growing in hot climate. Thanks again! Hope this year will be the year that I will finally grow some pepper to taste 🤞🏻

[@darcystephens6197]

I also live in the Central Valley Ca. I started putting up a PVC structure and shade cloth this past weekend due to this channel. I’m halfway done and hope to finish it this coming weekend, watching a previous tomato video you posted.

[@Technogodd]

@@darcystephens6197 i feel you. Fighting with this never ending triple digits really is frustrating.every year i fail and heart broken and frustration and next year start from the same point you lost the battle. Came across this channel.clear explanation and attitude made me make a portable plating cart with wheels and pvc structure on top ohh god you have to see the build.crazy just to win the battle this time. made the soil mixture and all the fertilizer and food as the channel suggested and everything. except self watering.next year i will convert all the buckets self watering.still cannot figure it out when to water and when to wait.its pepper i am plating and lots of variables to learn and figure it out.

[@stephanie7352]

Hey Bakersfield I'm up here in tehachapi. And I know the sun up here gets really intense in the summer. We may not get your heat but the intensity of the sun is hard on my plants.

[@janeodom3671]

In southeast Texas my shade cloth has been up since late April. That's when our temps are hitting the mid/upper 80s with the UV index rising. Has made all the difference in the world. There is no way I could garden without the shade cloth. Thanks for informing us of that incredible product!

[@terrylongest2298]

Thanks for a very instructive video. After watching several times I decided to tackle my new 20x48 40% shade cloth by myself. And I must say this 73 year old man did a great job. I am in central Oklahoma and the heat has arrived.This will shade 4 of my 4'x20' beds with tomatoes, peppers and pinquito beans. I also have shade cloth over Artichokes which worked really well last year. Scratch Dale's head for me lol.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Outstanding work! You'll be so happy you did it. Dale says hello

[@wendyreynolds2261]

We're already planning for shade cloth for the entire garden. We've done 2 rows and those plants started looking better in just a few days. I became convinced years ago that, when plant and seed suppliers say 'full sun', they don't mean full sun in Florida!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

If you live in Florida, you need to have your shade cloth up by May 1st. It's getting very late, and every day that goes by, more and more damage is being done. I would have shade cloth up where you live from end of April/May 1 to early October. UV index 8 is too much for our common vegetables.

[@ruthgroves509]

I live in northern Indiana and used shade cloth over one of my two raised beds after watching your video. The shaded bed is still green and producing in mid-September. The unshaded bed has had less green leaves and fruit and more cracking, cat-facing, insect and bird damage. Much appreciation for your video(s)!

[@lexwritesthings]

Yknow I wasn't sure how well this would work, but wow, my plants are thriving under shade cloth! Thank you for talking about this.

[@careya]

After watching this video, I put up shade cloth for the first time last night. My blackberries and peppers always get sunscald and my tomatoes don't do anything useful until the weather cools off. But last night two of my tomato plants shot up over night! I've never had this kind of growth at 105 degrees. Thank you!!!!

[@beckynett]

So helpful! You are a great teacher and garden mentor. Thanks from North Texas!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thanks so much! I appreciate it.

[@hoarmike1]

I just installed shade tent in Birmingham Alabama. Thanks for the vid. I didn’t do it exactly as you did, but used the general concept.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

As long as the shade cloth is overhead, that's really all that matters.

[@ctimms417]

I just wanted you to know that I finally had success with broccoli this spring thanks to your video on broccoli from some months ago! I have harvested some beautiful huge tasty heads of broccoli - so much better than from the grocery store. The remaining baby heads are in a tunnel covered with shade cloth to keep them from bolting. We've just gone through a horrendous week of 40+ C humidex temps which is super early for this type of weather for us in southern Ontario and my broccoli under the shade cloth grew unscathed. (Can't say the same about me; boy I suffered especially since squirrels had made a home in the control panel of our air conditioner so we didn't have working AC).

[@gdpope52]

Found out that my 10 x 10 garden area was too small for an arch with the PVC. The peak was about ten ft tall. So we rigged put t-post and made a flat structure and draped a 20x 20 mesh over. Perfect and boy the difference in one day. Plants so happy.

[@lightwavz]

Wow, a dragonfly airport! I am up in Michigan in a 6b and we are about to head into the upper 90s. I have a 3-season greenhouse, and I couldn't grow in summer without a shade cloth. It allows me to keep seedlings in production all summer, but, wow, there's no going in there during a sunny mid-day!

[@JuliePascal]

I decided to go look up my UV index. It is 12 tomorrow and most of next week. I was already planning to put up shade cloth over my tomatoes but I'd never actually paid any attention to what the UV index was as a number. I just called it "Texas full sun" and "Texas Full Sun" = "Part Shade" anywhere else.

[@memebzk5001]

All this time I thought my huge tree would prevent me from having a garden. I'm learning so much.

[@1man2many]

I could not agree more! Also, if you live in a dry climate, like most of California- the shade cloth seems to capture some humidity if you drop it down just above the plants, not elevated as would be best in a humid climate. Lack of humidity stresses plants too, mulch helps keep in the soil moisture as well as bumping up micro-humidity as the mulch evaporates some of the water it holds.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It definitely reduces irrigation needs and slows evaporation. Keeping the soil moisture higher longer will increase humidity in the immediate micro-climate around the plant.

[@miss_mish]

I live in the tropics. This is 💯. I grow tomatoes and peppers all year, but come spring (aka right now). I have to start thinking about putting my shade cloth up. I was planning to do it last weekend, but we have forecasted overcast days and rain starting tomorrow for another week. When it is winter, I need to put tomatoes in my greenhouse to give them more heat. In my area, tomatoes just get scorched in full sunlight in summer. It is just too hot.

[@Earthy-Artist]

I'll be attempting something like this but with low tunnels, so I can use some shade cloth & frost protection, etc. I bought a hoop bender for bending conduit. My dearly departed fur baby {he's in my photo to the left} loved to play rough like Dale and rip apart his toys, I miss my little boy. Thankfully I have the comfort of my little fur baby girl now, who I adopted a while after he passed.

[@ForGoodnesSake]

At this point, there's no reason not to have a shade cloth! Saves your garden in so many ways, as you've pointed out. I like that it can used for several years too. It literally pays for itself the first year with extended harvest, less watering and reduced pests.

[@mindy-made-a-mess]

Over the weekend, i put up the 40% shade cloth you listed here ...wish I heard about this year's ago! It's a joy to garden in the shade!!!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Everything is so much easier. Not only are the plants happier, but it's so much better for us working in the garden. I love working in the shade tunnel. Out in the open...not so much!

[@deecooper1567]

Shade cloth is up, just waiting for a cooler day to go from greenhouse to ground. High desert temps have been over 100s this last week & 50 nights🥵😩. Yesterday was 106 & todays forecast is 4 UV & will reach over 100 again. Hopefully will plant out tomorrow early morn. Love your setup & enthusiasm 🌻👵🏻👩‍🌾❣️

[@cathihaug5807]

I ordered six bundles from your link, can't wait to install it. Texas summers are smoking HOT!! 🥵

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It's absolutely mandatory in most, if not all, areas of Texas. It will absolutely change your garden for the better!

[@MelAtlNP]

Thank you so much! We have been having a heat advisory in Georgia these past 2 weeks. I don’t remember it ever being so miserably hot here. as a result, I lost all my beautiful squash. Now I have a strategy to help protect some of my little garden. I learned a lot from you last year. I just learned after pruning my tomatoes , that I shouldn’t do that….asking them forgiveness. Hopefully I haven’t killed them. It’s obvious that they aren’t happy about it. Live and learn, huh?😂

[@andreacastelli6296]

I'm in Central Florida and we've already hit 100 in this first week or two of June. I am trying to get crafty installing shade at my community garden plots (all sit on concrete with cinder blocks for beds) so no wood or ground to attach PVC etc to. Anyway, I have a temporary solution and literally in 2 days with the shade cloth, my experimental summer crop of recent tomatoe and green bean transplants seemed to come back to life! Going to experiment with late planting a few other supposed warm weather crops (cowpeas, amaranth, Seminole pumpkin, etc) under the shade cloth. Hoping for success thanks to you!

[@Nursemomma7]

New subscriber here. I'm a 2nd year beginner gardener and following your videos has brought me much success.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm happy to hear it! Thanks for subscribing!

[@jodyhoughton7341]

Thanks Anthony, I live on the edge of Bryce Canyon National Park, I’m at the bottom of the canyon which is about 6800 feet. Never thought about the UV index in relation to the plants. We get to the 90’s in summer, and occasionally over 100, but cool to the upper 40’s and 50’s at night most of the summer. As soon as my plumber gets my new water line in I will try the shade cloth. My yard is a disaster at the moment. lol Thanks for including us high desert folks in your education, it’s hard even in Utah to get straight forward information especially in the rural areas.

[@kathleenboller6651]

I agree with you on the need for shade despite the label “full sun”. My beds are in a location where some get dappled afternoon shade and some get dappled morning shade. Here in HOT north Texas, we are having triple digits already and humidity like the south. So far, the plants are doing well with this location.

[@nocobirds]

I’m in Northern Colorado and never thought about the UV index - until I watched this video. The UV index is over 9 today; without your info I never would have thought about it, but now I know that it’s a thing, and I know what to do to protect the garden. Thank you for this timely video and for all your great content.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Keep in mind the UV index is worse where you live due to elevation. UV9 is even worse in Colorado, because the thin atmosphere reflects less UV and more reach the ground. The higher the elevation, the more damage UV does. So, even though your growing season is relatively short, shade cloth can provide enormous benefit to combat the UV.

[@LittleBitOfSunshine4u]

This works. Just be careful not to go crazy with the percentage of sun block. I over did it with a 90% sunshade in South Texas. My plants actually got super leggy!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

90% is way too much unless you’re growing a pure shade species. Most fruiting plants will need decent sun. 40% is ideal for most. The WORST of Texas, Florida and the Desert, try 50-60% tops.

[@LittleBitOfSunshine4u]

@@TheMillennialGardener you're right. I just wish I knew this sooner. I had the "more is more better" attitude at the time.

[@TeresaWidmark]

I’m in Cathedral City (right next to Palm Springs, California). It’s 113 degrees today, and for the rest of the week. I bought the shade cloth. I just need to figure out how to install the supports for the cloths!

[@ravenahmed3387]

I'm in South Jersey and lost all but one of my Mortgagae Lifter tomatoes as soon as it got hot. We had a long 3 week heatwave with temperaturesin the mid 90s at the end of June and into July. The only one that survived was the one that was in partials shade and it too struggled until the temps got lower a 2 weeks ago. I am definitely putting on a shade cloth on them next year. Oh LOL dragonfly perch. Love it! We are dragonfly lovers here.

[@lisadeluca5714]

Here in SE Michigan we get really hot July-mid Aug. This year we've had unusually hot temps consistently. Two weeks of 90-95 temps! High 80s rest of the summer. I put up a 40% shade cloth and it's unbelievable how my tomato plants have responded. I was watering my 20 gallon grow bags daily. Now with the shade cloth I water, even with 90 degree temps, once a week. It's really something. Mine is very crude, and next season I'm going to use a more expensive cloth. I can't thank you enough for this suggestion. I will never be without it again.

[@tulipsmoran5197]

Here inTN at 2000ft elevation we have subtropical summers. Without shade at our elevation even 9UV index will curl leaves that ultimately brown. I buy bulk 40% shade cloth 6.5ft x 100 and can easily construct a canopy on both my 3x20 long beds. For grow bags and containers I erect emt structures similar to yours but typically 6ft high or shorter depending on plants. For nearly all my gardening I now grow in polytunnels to control environment. One polytunnel is hydro for tomatoes and peppers. I built a second but I cover it with shadecloth not plastic. Both polytunnels have 4ft heavy duty pet screening all around the bottom that helps immensely with slugs, and other insects. Rather than stretch plastic over the upper sides and top, I attach shade cloth so essentially that poly tunnel is a screenhouse. I grow 7 Greenstalks w/30 - 10in deep pockets and usually get two plantings each. I grow potatoes, beans, carrots, beets, strawberries, lettuces/cabbage, dwarf/compact variety kale-tomatoes-onions-garlic-shallots. I kept the two long beds for corn and indeterminate tomatoes and melons. I agree with you shade cloth is a blessing here in the south - as you know that sun is brutal and is noticeably higher UV in recent years. With blazing sun and the past two weeks of massive heat wave temps, my garden would have been a bust without shade cloth.

[@ascricco987]

I am so glad I found your channel! I moved from Massachusetts to the Raleigh area about fifteen years ago, and I have jumped through hoops to grow tomatoes and squash. Back home, our gardens had zucchini, radishes, peppers, and so much more ….all beautifully successful. Here is such a struggle that I throw in the towel mid July… and was considering giving up all together. It may be a bit late to start incorporating some of your tips for this season, but I’m going to try anyway! I’m also doing it a bit differently this year, my husband built a raised bed, 8’x4’x 24”. Now I am trying to figure out what to use for soil in it. We are complete clay here! I will look through your library to see any suggestions, but my plants really need to be transplanted into it. I hope I’m not too late! Definitely a new subscriber here!!!

[@holymoly271]

Black cow manure is popular

[@NatureScapesStudio]

To do list: 1. get shade cloth before the 90° temps next week.( Yes in SW Ohio it is getting hotter every year) 2. Set up some kind of electric fencing to halt the raccoon parade thru my garden at night. - As soon as MY hubby "Dale" decides which way to go. Saw another gardener using Surround Kaolin Clay to dust all his plants and trees to reduce sun effects and keep pests at bay. It was a toss up, but we will try this first.

[@mattwilson9293]

Even in Indiana we have some 90+ heat coming this week. I know what I'm doing this weekend!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It’s too hot in the Midwest for most summer vegetables. You may not need it up as long as I do, but it’ll provide benefits.

[@lauriebarkley9756]

I live outside of Leland, North Carolina. I think we might be close. I watch all your shows and boy has my garden grown tremendously this year. I just ordered my shade cloth and will be putting it up this week. Give Dale a head rub for me.

[@kathryntosoni4911]

I live outside of Leland, NC, as well. Keep trying to figure out where the Millennial Gardner lives. He is so knowledgeable and has been my go to for all my gardening questions. I purchased two Greenstalk vertical planters and having much success! Best of luck with your garden!

[@lauriebarkley9756]

My gardening has improved so much by following him. This weekend we’re putting up our shade cloth over our cattle panel tunnel and our other raised bed.

[@Elon_Trump]

Its only June 10th and Im on the east shore of Lake Michigan. the sun is so intense it wilts my cucumbers in mid day sun. Not even hot at all. But the rays are so intense it hurts them, the peppers as well. I had to resort to just using a white bedsheet for now and it has saved them. Nice to see the shade cloth is on sale right now I save 40% from your affiliate link!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

The UV index is more critical than the temperatures. Even if the air is cool, you can still get badly sunburned. That's what's happening to your plants. I strongly recommend shade cloth. It's cheap, it'll last a long time with proper care (10 years or so), and it works so well that it'll pay for itself just in the water bill savings.

[@Elon_Trump]

@@TheMillennialGardener thanks so much for sharing all your knowledge

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

I use two large shade cloths and bought some shade patio umbrellas as we have record 100+ temps in first week here in norcal when normal temps are in the 80s as it has been brutal on my peppers and tomatoes as they dislike extreme temps.

[@Sekmhet]

Just put mine up today after learning about yours. Thank you!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome!

[@erika71classic]

Thank you so much for this . I'm in Houston, TX, and the heat is on. This is going to be wonderful

[@yifanDavid]

thank you for your video, I have just entered the sunshade net industry and I need professional knowledge, after watching your video I know how I can understand the product and serve more people with our sunshade net。

[@bethanyfelton4330]

Nifty! I have tried so many different things over the years to control the temperature in the garden. Another thing I found was micro climate. Where I grew more of a little bit of a canopy from papaya, and then grew the more delicate vegetables underneath the papay Canopy,mind u these are dwarf papas.

[@kevinduta5549]

I got my shade cloth up and it really helps. I started watching this farmer which does research on soil. Soil is also critical for healthy plant and if you have enough sugar in the plant will cause pest and diseases. Calcium deficiency is a root cause for stress on plants. You know if you have a calcium deficiency if your garden starts growing weeds. Calcium goes lower into the ground and weeds grow roots down to pull it back up.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Typically, calcium uptake requires even moisture. Even if your soil is rich in calcium, if your soil goes through rapid fluctuations in soil moisture, it can negatively impact the plants and prevent them from taking up nutrients. The way to fix that, of course, is to mulch heavily, run drip irrigation and install shade cloth. If you can keep the soil consistently and evenly moist, the plants will perform better.

[@lowlevelplato]

My peppers that grew in partial shade had epic outputs for 2 straight years. Bugs and neglect got them down but I still see them trying to bounce back. Definitely throwing up a cloth bc 105 for weeks at a time isn’t unheard here in the IE

[@johndoh5182]

If what you do works that's great. We get strong winds on a regular basis and I wouldn't feel secure with the way you tied that down. I'd basically do everything you did except using a single nylon cord to go around because I'd want to anchor lines to the ground like you do a tent and tie down lines. To me those long sides would be the most susceptable to the forces wind can generate so I'd go from a stake pounded into the ground up to a corner grommet, then run the line through the long side and then down again to a stake in the ground, so that each long side is anchored to the ground on each side. What you did with strapping the corners to the corner posts is fine and I think that's a good idea. So, a long line for each long side gives 2 lines, and then 2 lines for the short side. Those shorter sides don't HAVE to be anchored to the ground but if they are it's a little more security With all the anchoring I'd want to once again do the same thing you do with a tend which is to anchor lines down a few feet out from where it's connected to, and this will help keep the wind from being able to push that tarp into the posts so much. Doing what I said won't get you through hurricane force winds but it WILL get you through the 30 - 40 mph winds that we get a few times during the Spring - Summer.

[@teresadelgado1372]

Great you answered the problem with the corners of the tunnel, I just have to work on them. Thanks.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! I tried to be comprehensive.

[@coachtim6188]

Ive got a small wife problem. My last career was as a landscape designer. So my new vegatble garden looks like a professional landscape design. My wife doesn't want it all completely wrapped down the sides. The one you made last year was flat over the top of the garden. That's what my wife wants, somewhat decorative maybe even with traingles you see over patio restaurants. Is there a reason you didn't go with the flat this year and switched to the hoop house look?

[@gd3design63]

My shade cloths are arriving tonight by 9 PM. Building my frames today. I’ve already taken a lot of damage, I’m looking forward to next Season to see the benefits of having them up on time 😂 (from a fellow Lelander)

[@TamaraLMJ62]

Your engineering skills are showing! Great design.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you!

[@wallyfirkins1664]

Thank you. I just purchased the shade cloth and installed it on my garden beds.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! I hope you enjoy it.

[@ruthiestiefel1415]

I have never u say what your name is. Lol I know Dale's. Lol i been watching you for several yrs. I ve gardened for yrs. But recently a few yrs ago i moved where there are 1000s of rocks in the soil so we had to do raised beds. Ive done these beds for yrs cause i love them. But here we started using barrels & we live on a slope. So i have ordered what have suggested many times & started using shade cloth last yr. What a life saver it is. Greatest tip ever!! Plan on doing your electric conduit one & your drip Irrigation one too. Thanks from Fort Payne, Al.

[@ussgil]

His name is Anthony.

[@RovingPunster]

Thanks for the info. Im in zone 7b (long island) and started seeing leaf curl appear this past week. Ive seen some channels opine that its caused by a virus, but you make a decent case for it being sun stress, so I just ordered some 40% shade cloth. Thanks and +1. Hope it works.

[@michaelkraft6018]

Based on this video, I installed 40% shade cloth over my tomatoes looks like it's working great. My question, here in the Northeast we don't get lots of super hot days but the stretch we've had lately has been brutal.. However, removing the shade cloth would be a pia every time it starts to drop in temperature. What happens if I leave it up all year until late August? Another benefit I found of using it is that these super strong rainstorms we've had are less damaging to the plants because the shade cloth is over them.

[@conniepr]

Ok. Going to try it. My tomato leaves have curled. 105 temperatures and rain is a lot, then none.

[@--SMA]

I added my shade cloth yesterday!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Excellent!

[@kedeglow2743]

I live in Central Missouri, and we get winds of 40-65 or 70 mph during our summer thunderstorms. I may try this on the lee side of the house next summer though.

[@lorenstribling6096]

Dale has no shame! He is the star of the show. 🤣

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Dale does what Dale wants to do. You can't change a hound's mind...😅

[@susanjordan2130]

We are watching this video cuz we want to

[@signallost5420]

I am west of Ft Worth Texas area and have I made my tunnel 15 X 32. Couple thoughts; On the ends I can see that I need to put up a couple posts so that the wind doesn't blow the end pvc in ward. So, even if you don't build a trellis inside, still put up a couple end posts. The other thing is that since I went 15 feet, the sides don't come down as far so some bees get caught inside. They think they can just go up and don't realize to go down to get out. I think they eventually do get out but they're probably pretty stressed out. Not sure what to do about that. Probably better to preserve the garden an lose a few pollinators than the alternative. Believe it or not, I'm 3 or 4 weeks late putting up shade, next year I'll be putting it up around mid May 🙂 The real heat hasn't hit yet here, last year we had a two or three 115's and lots of 107 to 110 days. Without shade cloth that kills all the garden type plants.

[@nomathompson7678]

I gotta get off my ass and get this done already 🤣 it's blazing here in central Texas. Great video!

[@valoriegriego5212]

Howdy, MG! 👋 Thanks for the added know-how! Im always learning something from your videos. 👍I've used shade cloth for a few years now. I still don't put it over my melons...they don't seem to have a problem with the heat here...Central Texas. Better a toy torn up than your expensive sneakers or flip-flops.😄 "Howdy" to adorable Dale!🐕

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Out of all the things I grow in the annual vegetable garden, the two most sun-tolerating things are sweet potatoes and melons. Everything else, forget it. They don't have a chance in full sun. Dale is a toy destroying surgeon. He finds the seam and weaves his big canine tooth in there. Within 3-5 minutes, he has a tiny hole started and out comes the fluff. Luckily, he doesn't chew on anything else but his toys...knock on wood 😅

[@debbithompson2181]

My plan was to put my shade cloth up this evening... then your video pops up!

[@judifarrington9461]

Thank you so much for this video!! You are the BEST!

[@rebeccahobbs1643]

Hello!! I installed the cloth you suggested over my entire garden.. even the peas, beans, okra, corn, tomatoes, cukes, squash, watermelon, etc. Did I do wrong? Do the peas, beans, corn etc need more sunlight? I live in Central MS. Our summer sun is fierce. I would certainly appreciate your advise bec I follow you religiously! Thanks in advance!

[@rcbustanut2057]

Awesome info, thanks for sharing 😎 👍 I put up my 1st greenhouse several weeks ago. I'm in CT & I'm wondering how I'm going to deal with heat issues because even in this June weather, it gets pretty warm inside lol. At least it has 8 small windows & a large front roll up door plus I have power inside for fans & lights. This is just new territory for me. But the plants are growing super fast 😂 Thanks again for all the great helpful vids! 😎 👍 👊 🍻

[@livesoutdoors1708]

The fans are critical. Keeping the air moving will be healthier for the plants.

[@lightwavz]

If you can get a shade cloth up on the interior of your structure, definitely do it! I run mine down the central supports. Even a strip of it will help.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Most people with greenhouses throw shade cloth on top of it this time of year. If you look around at greenhouses in summer, they're almost always draped in it. There are several good videos on KZbin that show you how to install shade cloth over a high tunnel.

[@rcbustanut2057]

@@TheMillennialGardener Thanks, that's kinda what I thinking, shouldn't be too hard since it's a 7x7x15 tunnel style greenhouse. And I have grow lights so the plants that need the extended light period can still get their light. Happy Grow Season! 😎 👍 👊 🍻

[@valerieleuba]

WOw! Your figs are so much bigger. I also live in NC

[@TheMillennialGardener]

They grow faster in containers, because the roots are above ground and the pots heat up faster than soil. They break dormancy weeks before in ground trees.

[@jacobbryant853]

Thanks for your video's. I live in Wilmington N.C so your videos are very relevant to me and very helpful. Thanks.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You’re welcome! I’m glad they’re helping!

[@dgeez123z]

Hung mine this last weekend. Central Oregon weather is all over the place this time of the year but the sun is also SO STRONG at our higher elevation. Ive had Arizona transplants tell me that our sun at 80 is as hot as their 105!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

The higher your elevation, the thinner the atmosphere. The natural gases and water vapor in the air reflect UV back into space like a shield of sorts. When you live at higher elevation or live in a more arid climate, less sunshine is reflected back into space, so UV is higher. It's a big reason why skin cancer rates are higher at high elevations. Even though you don't have a very long warm season, it's more than just temperature. It can be fairly cool, but the sun still does a lot of damage.

[@dgeez123z]

@@TheMillennialGardener Brilliant, my friend. Cheers to a great growing season (you'd be happy of my progress lol)

[@christymorrison3983]

I'm so excited to get my shade cloth in today.. I plan on using over my lettuce raised bed.. will let you know how it does!!!❤

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Excellent. Let us know how it goes!

[@michelerichard5523]

I had tomatoes growing in temperatures of 38-40 for the month of July. Next season I am going to protect them from heat like this. Lost a lot of flowers due to their stress. They are grown in pots along the outside wall of my garage. My question to you is the colour of shade cloth. Would not the white shade cloth keep the tomatoes cooler as black draws and holds the heat in? Also what % shade cloth would you suggest for 35-40 degree temperatures. Thank you🙏

[@robertprevost732]

Can you give a list of vegetables that should be under a canopy and which do well in the full sun? My garden is in the Piedmont area of North Carolina.

[@denisbelanger4473]

Thank you for all you do God has blessed you with a great dog always get tips on your videos.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! Dale sends his love 🐶

[@joshualloyd4275]

Got a 20x30 up last week covers my whole plot!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Outstanding!

[@ggonzalez435]

I'm in san antonio. 100+ for months 60% does wonders

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That sounds like a lot, but I know the summers are bone dry there. It's probably one of the harder places in the US to grow summer vegetables.

[@Anthony-rd3ql]

Do you recommend leaving a few feet of open space on the bottoms for airflow? I only have tomatoes, and I prune about a foot above ground for airflow. Btw, Living Traditions channel mentioned you and said your fogger method helped save their garden. 👍

[@happy2cya70]

Thank you! We are in middle GA and already seeing plants needing more shade!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It will help immensely.

[@RESlusher]

Thanks for the idea about shade cloth! I'm thinking I might need to do that to my blackberry beds here in North Texas. 🤔 Looks like Dale made short work of that new toy! Our dachshund used to be able to chew the cover off of a golf ball! It took her three weeks; but she still did it!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

If you can find a way to get the shade cloth above, they will enjoy it, for sure. Dale is a surgeon. As soon as he gets a stuffed toy, he finds a seam and starts working at it with his pointiest tooth. He has a little hole started in minutes, and then BOOM. Stuffing everywhere. I think he thinks the real bunnies in the yard are filled with fluff 😅

[@petergraves9006]

i use those clamps from the dollar store 4 for a dollar well they were a while ago hopefully they still are a dollar they work great

[@Gracie0229]

I never knew this was a thing 🤦‍♀️I’m in zone 9b and today is going to be 103 I want to try this my tomatoes have curled leaves and I hope this will help

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It will. Honestly, your shade cloth should've been up over a month ago, maybe 6 weeks ago. Your plants have been taking a beating. the sooner you can get it up, the better, but next year, consider installing it as soon as you see UV index hit 8, which I'm guessing is sometime in April.

[@lyndalent]

I love this information

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It will truly change the way you garden forever. It's totally changed how I think about everything.

[@l0tus4life]

Shower curtain hoops slide it up and over.

[@dillodefense]

Texas needed to do that last month.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Be sure to have it on hand every year for the future.

[@WJ_Warpig2024]

My tomato is really struggling in this Las Vegas heat . I’ll try this !

[@IAMGiftbearer]

Very timely! Some tomato, tomatillo, and cucumber seedlings have been disintegrating even under the shelter of my porch and some within a day of planting, so UV must be hitting them even from the side! The leaves just literally dissolve! I have several garden beds to cover and judging by the price per piece on Amazon that is adding up. Do you happen to know of a deal on multiples anywhere? I have some as big as 12 X 20 ft. and 5 ft. - 6 ft. high, and some spaces as small as 3 ft. X 6 foot and 4 foot high.

[@gdnaylor]

Hi, I am in Scarborough, Maine (latitude 43.6° N). What other vegetables do you think I would need to cover with the shade cloth besides tomatoes and cucumbers in my area (zone 5B)? Thanks for all of your videos.

[@cdweber4547]

I live in Central TX 🥵 Last year I planted yellow summer squash in grow bags. (4) They grew beautifully & had lots of blooms but I got zero fruit 😢. They were on the side of my house that gets a few hrs of early morning full sun & 2-3 hr full sun before the sun sets .. the rest of the day is shaded. I do have blooming flowering vines close by on my fence … I have tried growing various things in that area for the last 3 yrs and the only thing that produced was my jalapeño & coolapeno plants!! They were parked right next to my tomato plants and again I had lots of flowers but I think I got 3-4 very small tomatoes, but dozens of peppers 😔🤯.. all in 10 gal grow bags, with fresh soil & watered daily?? Trying 2 tomato plants & a banana pepper this yr but got them planted late 🤦‍♀️ .. I am going to wait to plant everything else in late July or early August ??

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Sounds like pollination problems. Proximity to the house probably sheltered them from pollinators. You’ll either need to hand pollinate or get a variety of zucchini that is partially parthenocarpic and will set some fruit without pollination. I’ll be experimenting with one of those varieties when the seeds arrive…

[@EricSolomon-op8ti]

You Sir - ABSOLUTELY ROCK. YOU alone have Helped me Tremendously!!! THANK YOU !!!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm so happy to hear that! You're welcome!

[@ryonsanders4045]

Have you considered steel cable and turnbuckles instead of hydrocarbon based rope since natural fibers won’t last? Replace plastic zip ties with metal ones. You have them already for dragon fly perch just get thinner ones and trash the synthetic rope and plastic zip ties. Maybe you like adding micro plastic to garden soil idk but you don’t seem like that type so I assume it’s oversight.

[@janets6474]

Perfect timing. I just got my big piece.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Excellent!

[@tristadelaney2060]

Just got a second shade cloth and installed all last week.

[@melissapotthast4141]

How do I bend the conduit please help I’m on my own and I’m in my 70s. Love your show. Hugs and kisses to Dale.

[@mikki_s1100]

I need to set some up, things want water deep twice a day. Texas zone 9a. UV 11.3 today! I need a self standing structure because we can’t anchor to fence or house.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

There is no right or wrong way to erect it overhead. As long as you figure out a way, that's all that matters. These are some simple ideas I use, but you can modify them to your needs.

[@Arnumations]

I’m going to put this up! Love that you posted this.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It is a game-changer. It changed my gardening life, for sure.

[@joeprocopio9708]

Today in Buffalo NY I need heaters not shade clothes! High of 61* I won't need them for a while!

[@kaaylaskorner]

Exactly! Why am I wearing a winter coat and boots in June???

[@vishalbadra8049]

You are my inspiration Sir love you

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I appreciate it! Thanks for watching!