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Sunshade recommendation
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Posted by tampahydro Tampa, FL (My Page) on Sun, Jul 20, 08 at 6:01
| The Florida July sun seems to be taking its toll on my various plants, including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, basil, etc.
I have never used sun shade screening so I was wondering what the best recommendation would be pertaining to percentage. I would assume 90% transmission would be enough to eliminate excess heat while still excluding most rainfall during the summer. Would this suffice for the summer? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Sunshade recommendation
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Mesh fabrics vary widely in how much light they actually block. Usually the range is 70-90%. Even a fabric that would block 70% should give your plants a break from the blazing sun. The heat is another story, some plants will not tolerate the Florida heat and humidty, even with shade. It seems to me that at this point in the summer you really don't have anything to lose by trying. You might rig up some supports over your plants with about 12" of head room so that the fabric doesn't contact the plant anywhere. Then drape the mesh fabric over the framework, securing the fabric (I have used tie-wraps for this purpose) to allow for ventilation and watering.
Good luck and let us know how it works.
Cindy |
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