I'm gardening in zone 9, which is really hot and humid in the southern US. Last year I tried using a 30% shade cloth, but it clearly wasn't enough because my plants suffered from heat stress and diseases. My mature tomatoes are already showing signs of stress with the heat, so I want to make sure I protect them this year. I'm considering moving up to a 50% shade cloth, but I'd love to hear what others think would be best for my situation. What percent do you recommend?
2 Answers
I think a 50% shade cloth would be a good choice for you, especially since you're experiencing such humid conditions. I used that percentage during a heat wave where temps hit 110°F, and it really saved my peppers. Just keep in mind that different zone 9 areas can have their own challenges depending on the specific climate.
For the hotter parts of zone 9, 50% is pretty standard. I use that when I'm hardening off my plants in super hot conditions. But if you’re getting temps above 100°F, especially at high elevations, you might even want to consider bumping up to 75%.
Thanks for the insight! I definitely could have used that last year.