Homemade shade for my baking SFG garden

14 years ago

Our area is baking in record heat this summer, and my new SFG is suffering.

The established plants seem to be hanging on, waiting for the weather to cool down some. I did lose my two largest summer squash plants to aphid and heat damage and replaced them last week. It was just too hot and the transplants were suffering. (It may be late in the season to start new summer squash, but I love squash, and am ever optimistic.) So, how to help them survive...?

I had some wire frames that I believe are used by realtors to stick signs into the ground. Bought them at a yard sale thinking I might make some sort of support cage for the garden out of them. My Handy Husband had shade cloth rolled up in the shed awaiting the completion of another project...so I brainstormed these 'shade walls' to stick in the ground around the plants that really need the mid-day protection. I'll just have to explain later to Handy Husband why that roll of shade cloth he bought isn't as long as he thought it was.

I sewed the first two by hand, then took the last four to my trusty Singer Sewing Machine. When I finished sewing them, I took each out and stuck it between the slats in the arm of my porch swing and bent them into a slight angle. These 'shade walls' are lightweight, stackable for storage, super easy to move as needed and, best of all, were very cheap to make! Probably not the greatest invention in recent gardening history, but I was quite pleased with myself, and Handy Husband was impressed.

The 'shade walls' let in light but provide shade. The plants they are protecting perked up after I put these 'shade walls' around them. They've been in 3 days now, and seem to be doing the job!

Hope this will help anyone else whose garden is baking in the summer sun!

Oh, and check out the picture of the 'baby bird' tomato we found at the bottom of our bush tomato plant. The grandsons are keeping it to show to Grandpa when he gets home.

Just incase the photos do not embed, I'm enclosing a link to the pictures.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Featured Answer

nanajolo
Original Author

14 years ago

I like the 'covered wagon' look! Perhaps anchor the corners of the frame with a nail partially hammered in, then bent to hold the frame secure? They would easily twist around when you needed to remove the shade cover. (We go for cheap and easy around here!)

As to my 'shade walls' being secure in a wind, we've not had much of even a breeze to put them to the test. But that particular raised bed is in a fenced corner and hopefully low enough to be by-passed by any strong wind once the weather changes.

And thanks to all for the kind words of support! My new squash plants are doing well.

Comments (11)

Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
14 years ago
Very clever application. Well done.

Dan
greenbean08_gw
14 years ago
That is a good idea!
Just in case anyone wondered, the sign frames are often called H-frames.
I'd bet if you didn't need quite as much shade, you could use window screening (it comes on a roll, I'm guessing at Lowe's) and I think it would sew pretty easily.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tales of a Transplanted Gardener
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momma_s
14 years ago
Those look great! Very polished. I love how they can be used to shade individual plants/sections, and are "staked" down. Do they hold up well in the wind?

I made a shade screen using extra hardware mesh, an old sheet, zip ties (fortunately I found these before the duct tape LOL), and wood dowels for angling the screen. We get an afternoon breeze, and it would get blown over a lot, but always fell onto the concrete...
momma_s
14 years ago
HA! "Covered wagon look" Maybe I can add some wheels to the side for a completed look teehee...

Thanks for the nails in the dowels. I think that'll work perfectly.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gardening With Care
itsbrad
8 years ago
Exactly what i was looking for! My broccoli & kale are interspersed throughout my SFG and need some shade. It looks like these are narrow H-frames, maybe 10" wide? I also like the screw hooks on the inside to mark of each square-foot, i used thumb tacks on top to wrap the string around.
Lily Tang
8 years ago
Smart design.
I am wondering if there are people want to try my flower sun shade. It saves your time.

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/1X1-8m-Garden-Plant-Sun-Shade-Net-Supply-Succulents-Plant-Shading-Ventilation-Anti-UV/1228705_32625825906.html
Lily Tang
8 years ago

This shade is for plants:

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/1X1-8m-Garden-Plant-Sun-Shade-Net-Supply-Succulents-Plant-Shading-Ventilation-Anti-UV/1228705_32625825906.html
Stephanie
7 years ago
Those are adorable!! Very inventive. Also, your tomato is hilarious.
John Enfield
6 years ago
I love the idea! I looked for quite a while for plant shades online, but found nothing as clever as your design. I've got to try it.
Faye Donaghu
last year
I was browsing tonight, looking for small shades for my potted plants…and came across your photo! i couldnt believe it. i came up with the same idea about 4 years ago. i had some leftover H-wires (from when i used to design and create sponsor signs for golf tournaments) and thought if i covered them with that green mesh, they would work well to shade my plants. and they can be moved and adjusted as need be. it gets very hot here in Contra Costa County, CA, and these little guys do the job!

i bent the frames first and then stapled the cloth around wires. they've held up just fine for four years. i would recommend these easy inexpensive shades to anyone.

Great minds think alike!