Hey everyone! I'm in North Mississippi, and the temperatures have been soaring into the mid-90s lately, combined with a lot of rain. I'm curious if anyone here has experience using shade cloth in hot, humid areas to protect their plants, especially tomatoes and potted figs. Also, if you've used shade cloth, what kind of poles do you recommend for elevating it? I need something that can reach about 8-9 feet tall. Any tips would be appreciated!
2 Answers
I've used shade cloth before by tying it to trees and the house, and it really helped! Just make sure to secure it well to withstand the wind. Unfortunately, if you don't have nearby trees or your house is too far, that might be tricky. You could also try using some sturdy poles to create a frame for the cloth if that's an option for you.
Shade cloth is great since it has holes that allow rain to fall through, which can actually prevent your plants from getting too much water. I have mine over my lettuce to help it survive the heat. I attached it using zip ties to stakes, which works well! Even though I'm not in Mississippi, I've dealt with 90-degree weather too. You might want to think about planting in the cooler spring and fall seasons for better results. Just a thought!