How to Shade a Greenhouse

A greenhouse is a great way to grow plants, but sometimes the inside temperatures can become unbearable due to the sun shining inside. To keep your plants healthy and growing, you will need to know how to shade a greenhouse to keep some of that direct sunlight out, and help lower the temperatures inside.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Greenhouse shade fabric or tarp Exhaust fan Circulating fans

1. Use shading fabric on the inside of the greenhouse. Use the material as you would inside a house to keep the hot sun out--but allow the useful light in. Position the fabric on the south side of the greenhouse, where the sun is the brightest and hottest.

2. Install retractable shade fabric at the top of the greenhouse, above the crop. The kit comes with the retractable rod and sheeting. In some cases, the retractable rod can be installed outside the greenhouse, but it's preferable to install the retractable shade fabric inside.

3. Use a tarp to cover the outside of the greenhouse. If the greenhouse is in a place where it receives direct sunlight all day, throw a tarp on the top of the greenhouse where the sun is the brightest (the south side).

4. Ventilate your greenhouse with an exhaust fan. Set up additional fans to circulate the air within the greenhouse so that the internal temperature remains manageable.

References

• Shading a Greenhouse