Shade Cloth: A Must-Have for Greenhouse Gardening

When it comes to greenhouses, sunlight is quite possibly the most important factor for growing plants. There can be such a thing, however, as too much sun - and this is a problem encountered all too often by backyard and professional greenhouse growers alike. The answer for both groups however is the same - shade cloth!

Not just a necessity for farmers, shade cloth is a gamechanger for creating the perfect conditions to grow in a greenhouse. First and foremost, shade cloth is perfect for controlling the amount of sunlight that enters a space. It can be used either within enclosed greenhouses or over frames in order to limit the sunlight. The amount of sun that is filtered through will depend on the grade of shade cloth that is installed. The higher the grade, the less light there will be able to get through into the frame. This will reduce the chance of sun damage on delicate plants which can affect fruiting and flowering.

Limiting light is the first step to controlling the temperature inside the greenhouse. This is easier done in an enclosed greenhouse where the heat can be trapped, however shade cloth over a frame can be used to regulate temperature by allowing an airflow. It really depends on the type of plants that are inside.

As a rough guide, any leafy plants like orchids or ferns will require the most sun protection. Depending on the time of year, shade cloth of up to 70% can be beneficial.

Plants like lettuce, carrots, and potatoes will usually require about 50% shade while fruiting plants such as tomatoes, capsicum, and beans do better with 30% shade. It's recommended that instead of using a 30% shade cloth however, you should look for a white 50% commercial shade cloth as the white colour only gives about 30% shade while still having the knitted structure and durability of 50% cloth.