What Density of Shade Cloth Would Allow Growth of Vegetables?

Shade cloth protects cool-weather crops from the sun.

Shade cloth is used in vegetable gardens and greenhouses to prevent sunburn on vegetables and to protect them from wind damage.

Variety

Shade cloth is a knitted fabric manufactured in a variety of densities. The densities ranging from 12 to 50 percent are most useful in a vegetable garden.

Installation

In an outdoor garden, shade cloth is attached to a frame placed at least 24 inches off the ground. This minimizes heat buildup and aids in air circulation

12-Percent Density

This light-density shade cloth is preferred for sun-loving vegetables like tomatoes and peppers. It provides some UV protection, but does not provide any wind reduction.

30-Percent Density

This moderate-density cloth is recommended for leafy vegetables, seedlings, lettuce, spring onions, beans and cauliflower. It can also provide some protection from the wind.

40-and-50 Percent Density

Although these densities may be used with vegetable plants in extremely sunny areas, or in portable frames that are erected only during the hottest part of the day, they are primarily beneficial for their wind-reduction properties. Shade cloths higher than 50-percent density are not generally used in vegetable gardens.

References

• International Greenhouse Company: Shade Cloth
• Harvest Wizard: Row Covers