I've seen shade cloth on rolls that was cut by the yard at Lowes - not sure how much it is, though.

Hi Jackie,

I have a setup under my pergola that we affectionately call " the nursery". It's basically a spot that faces west that is covered with a medium grade shade cloth( you can buy precut lengths at Home Depot) they sell it in different "grades", light, medium and heavy shade.

All my cuttings that need to be rooted go in the nursery, with the cloth they get a nice filtered light all day with no scorching sun to burn them. My pots are sitting directly on the concrete so they have the benefit of warmth, fresh air movement and humidity.

This spot has worked well for me for several years and the best part, no burn!

I don't know if this helped but I think the shade cloth is a great idea.

Take care,

Nicole

I have looked at HD and Lowes. Here on the east coast its online order only. :( I was hoping someone would have some input on fabric. I have a Joanns fabric store here and they have all kinds. I guess it would need to be weatherproof without being really thick. Guess I will have to go and look. But thanks guys I appreciate your answers

Jackie

Jackie, I was at the Lowes in Carson CA Friday and they had it at the garden center. I didn't look closely but the material was an open weave, heavy duty fabric, kind of like the stuff they use for fly masks or fly blankets for horses, if you've seen any of those. Kind of like heavy duty window screening or mosquito netting. I don't think they would have any of that at Joann's.

Delton

Thanks Delton your probably right. My neighbor suggested weed block the cheapie kind from walmart. I might go look at that. If its not expensive I wouldnt care about it being disposable. I may look at the horse blankets too its only a small greenhouse so that may work.

Jackie

The horse blankets are cut to fit a horse so those wouldn't work well, plus be a bit expensive. The weed block cloth may work but it would cut out almost all the light.

You could try a light to medium grade solar window screen. Most home improvement stores will have it.

Also check in the Box stores around where they keep the outdoor ponds.. They use lots of netting to keep out other preditors out with nets... I bet this would work of you!!!

Or go to a fish store that carries topical fish.. SOme nursuries carry these netting to keep the coi from being eaten from the Herons etc...

I have seen neighbors do this and it works...

Hope this helps!!!

Take care Jackie,,

Laura

I wanted to ket u knw that i havent rec anything yet, just in case yiu though i had forgotten. Im in no hurry, but i didnt want u to think i didnt respond...

Thanks again Jackie!!!

Laura

Netting would work very well, like Laura says.

There's also window screening sold by the roll at the big stores, which is stiffer. It comes in a couple of colors and densities.

Then when you're done with it, or if you have extra, you can cut it into circles to put in the bottom of your pots. It makes great screens to keep your soil mix in and the bugs out!