How to Make a Shade House Out of Burlap

Use 40-inch wide burlap to make a shade house

Gardens in all-day full sun benefit from a shade house. The shade house protects garden plants from ultraviolet rays. A framework is placed around the exterior of the garden. Material is extended between the framework to create a canopy. Burlap is an inexpensive fabric that can effectively screen plants from harsh sun. Make a 10- by 20-foot shade house with posts, wire and burlap.

Things You'll Need

• Spray paint
• Post hole digger
• Ladder
• Drill
• Drill bits
• Carpenter's level
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Circular saw
• 4-inch by 7 foot round poles, 4
• 2- by 4-inch lumber, 12 feet long, 2
• 3 1/2-inch wood screws
• 16 screw eyes
• 200 feet plastic-coated clothesline wire
• 50 feet steel wire
• Wire staples
• Metal fence posts, 4
• Hammer
• 22-yards of 40-inch wide burlap
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Scissors

Instructions

Frame

1. Use spray paint and place a mark at the corner of the narrowest side of the garden. Stay on the narrowest side of the garden and measure 10 feet. Place a mark on the ground.

2. Measure 20 feet from each mark on the narrow side of the garden along the long edge of the garden. Place a mark with spray paint. Measure between the last two marks to make sure they are 10 feet apart. Make adjustments if they are not.

3. Use a post hole digger and dig a hole 12 inches deep on each mark. Insert a round wooden pole in each hole. Replace the dirt around the hole to hold the poles in place.

4. Square the poles using a carpenter's level. Measure the distance between the outside edge of one set of poles placed 10 feet apart. Mark one of the twelve foot 2-by-4 boards with the measurement. Repeat with the other set of posts. Cut the 12-foot, 2-by-4 boards on the marks.

5. Attach the cut 2-by-4s on the top of the end posts. Use four wood screws in each end.

6. Place screw eyes on the 2-by-4's edge every 2 feet. Begin 1 inch in from the outer edge. The screw eyes will be on the side of the board that faces the garden. Repeat on the opposite end.

7. Thread plastic-coated clothesline wire through the outside screw eye. Secure the clothesline. Stretch the clothesline to the opposite screw eye. Secure the clothesline. Repeat with the remaining five screw eyes.

8. Insert a screw eye 2 inches from the top of the outside of the round post. Repeat with other three posts.

9. Use a hammer and pound a metal fence post into the ground four feet away from each wooden end post.

10. Insert steel wire in the screw eye on the outside of the fence post and secure. Stretch the wire until it is taught and secure it around the metal fence post 4 feet away from the post.

Canopy

1. Cut four pieces of burlap 22-feet long. Sew the burlap lengths together on the long edge using a 1/2-inch to 5/8-inch seam. The end result will be a piece of burlap 22 feet long and approximately 11 feet wide.

2. Fold a 6-inch hem on each 11-foot end. Fold them up again and again then pin in place. A total of 18-inches are folded. Sew a seam across the top of the fold on both ends. Cut the thread.

3. Fold a 4-inch hem on each 11-foot end and pin in place. Sew a seam along the top edge of the fold. Cut the thread. The thickness of the burlap will help to hold it in place on the shade house.

4. Roll the burlap into a tube that is 11-feet wide.

Canopy Placement

1. Lay the roll of burlap on one edge of the shade house. Center the burlap over the clothesline.

2. Pull the sewn edge over the edge of the 2-by-4 board. Staple every 2-inches to secure.

3. Roll the burlap over the wire to the opposite end of the shade house.

4. Pull the sewn end of the burlap over the edge of the 2-by-4 board. Staple every 2 inches to secure.

Tips & Warnings

• Adjust the dimensions used to accommodate any size shade house.

References

• Alney's DIY Site: Vegetable Protector
• Protect-o-net: The Basics of a Shadehouse