You can always use strips of it.

From: DigitalVinyl
Organization: EarthLink Inc. -- http://www.EarthLink.net
Reply-To:
Newsgroups: rec.gardens
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2004 00:43:26 GMT
Subject: Shade Cloth for Tomatoes?

(James Cubby Culbertson) wrote:

Hiya,
I tried Googling and just didn't find what I was looking for. I live
in the high desert of New Mexico and tried to grow tomatoes last year.
What a failure. Leaves shriveled and no fruit to speak of. Finally
gave up about 1/2 way through the summer. Other tomato plants that
were on the patio in shade, did very well. I'm thinking I might need
to provide some shade for the ones in the garden (there is no shade at
all). I was thinking of putting up some shade cloth but am not sure
of the type to use. The local Lowes/HD carry the cloth but it's like
rated at 75% shading. That seems to be too high but not sure. What
sort of rating on shade cloth should I be looking for to grow my
tomatoes? I grew cucumbers last year and they did better and my green
chile did very well (of course that stuff loves full time sun!). The
sun in the area, due to the altitude, is very strong (in fact ABQ was
rated as the skin cancer capital of the world some time ago!).
Thanks for any help!
Cheers,
cc


If you use tomato cages you might consider laying a trellis across the
top. This would shade it from the direct overhead sun--strongest kind.

I think the one I bought was from www.gardeners.com and it was 80-85%.
75% might not be too much for the height of summer.
DiGiTAL ViNYL (no email)
Zone 6b/7, Westchester Co, NY, 1 mile off L.I.Sound
2nd year gardener