From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Bear Creek, NC

I tried an experiment with some tarps over my plants and the leaves didn't wilt today in 98 degree heat. The surface temp of the soil was 103 in the shade and 150 in the sun. My plants did great inspite of the heat. When I looked online I only got confused, 30%, 50%, 80%. What would be a good pecentage? And where is a good place to look? I need to do something quick because my tarps wont be big enough much longer.

I'm a newbe, but i'm starting to see a trend. My pumpkin patch is becoming a money pit. It will be worth it if I can get a big one my first year. If not, I still enjoy it.

6/22/2010 11:44:05 PM

Rhode Island

id guess the tarps blocked out 100 percent of the sun? probably great for a day or two but eventually your plants will need some sun again.
id think 50 percent shade because your clinate is so hot in the south.
the stores selling the shade cloth should be better equiped to advise for your area of the country?
pap

6/23/2010 6:58:47 AM

South East

30% wil do the trick

6/23/2010 8:01:51 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Agree the 30% would benefit you tremendously.

6/23/2010 11:16:47 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Any recommendations, for best place to purchase large quantities? My plants are taking a beating here!!! Peace, Wayne (Hot & humid, Western Kentucky!!!) Too many 90F + and 105 heat index days in a row to count!!!
PS...would prbly need 3K sq. ft.

6/23/2010 11:42:16 PM

Jericho Vermont

Wayne,
I have used these folks for the shade cloth that is mostly just hail netting for me due to no sun in Vermont. Ha! But it can work fine as hail netting as well. ......http://www.catalogclearance.com/products/shadecloth30__knittedshadecloth.html

John

6/24/2010 6:33:56 AM

Colorado

greenhouse megastore has a big selection online.

6/24/2010 12:34:08 PM

Colorado

Ive used the white colored 22% for years.Im trying some 14% arvada boy got from italy on a couple of plants

6/24/2010 12:35:59 PM

Midway, UT

The place out of Italy has hail netting that goes up to 18% shade and then they also sell shade cloth but the lowest they have is 45% which is probably to much. 94 degrees right now in Denver. My 14% shade isn't quite enough but a good misting a couple of times per hour makes up the difference just fine.

6/24/2010 7:00:48 PM

Bear Creek, NC

Thanks everyone.

6/25/2010 8:17:21 AM