Just wondering if somebody more learned than i could tell me whether
vegetables grown in the backyard will grow happily under shadecloth or do
they need direct sunlight. Thanks

On Mon, 21 Jan 2008 22:07:51 +1100, "Blondie" wrote:

Just wondering if somebody more learned than i could tell me whether
vegetables grown in the backyard will grow happily under shadecloth or do
they need direct sunlight. Thanks

They will grow but not as well as they would with direct sun.

g'day blondie,

if you are growing seasonal vege's then they need pretty much full sun
or at least 6 to 8 hours for best production, but if you realy want to
go the shade clothe way then get the minimum % shade and buy the white
colour.

if you are wanting to cut stress for the plants then shade them from
the arftenoon sun from about 1pm onward would be better.

otehr tricks develop a good growing medium we start with mushroom
compost this works best at holding good moisture without regular
watering along with a heavy layer of mulch around 6" to 8"s, this
keeps moisture up and insulates the root runs so the plant get less
distress.

if your plants are showing that wilting habit in the hottest part of
the day that may not be a big concern so long as once the heat has
gone the plants revive again, as the wilting is part of their habit to
conserve moisture. if they don't pick up then they are short of
watering.

water the root zones, not the foliage so much.

use your grey water that acts as a wetting agent as well with the
detergent in it, make your own laundry detergent that is even better.
recipe on our site.

snipped
With peace and brightest of blessings,

len & bev

--
"Be Content With What You Have And
May You Find Serenity and Tranquillity In
A World That You May Not Understand."

http://www.lensgarden.com.au/

"Blondie" wrote in message

Just wondering if somebody more learned than i could tell me whether
vegetables grown in the backyard will grow happily under shadecloth or do
they need direct sunlight. Thanks

That is one of those "it depends" questions. It depends on the weather and
it depends on what you are trying to grow.

I know that here in the midst of the drought when the sun would fry an egg
on a bare arm after 2 minutes exposure to the midday sun, I did grow some
veggies under shade cloth. The air was so dry and the soil so hard to keep
moist that this was the only thing that allowed them to grow. But having
said that, I have narrow beds and the shade cloth was only draped over the
top, not fully down the sides so they got reflected light on the south,
direct light on the north at the edges and morning and late afternoon sun.
The veg I grew out in the open during the worst of the drought were a waste
of time. If you were in central Aus, I'd say that would be the way to grow
most veg.

In article ,
"Blondie" wrote:

Just wondering if somebody more learned than i could tell me whether
vegetables grown in the backyard will grow happily under shadecloth or do
they need direct sunlight. Thanks

In high summer in Sydney, shade cloth will protect your plants from burning.
It is not necessary for the rest of the year. Afternoon sun is the real
killer, so it might be useful to angle the shade cloth.

--
Chookie -- Sydney, Australia
(Replace "foulspambegone" with "optushome" to reply)

http://chookiesbackyard.blogspot.com/

on a side note. the grass growing under the xmas trampoline is spectacular.
on oasis of green in the brown.

Chris.

"Blondie" wrote in message
...
Just wondering if somebody more learned than i could tell me whether
vegetables grown in the backyard will grow happily under shadecloth or do
they need direct sunlight. Thanks

On Jan 21, 8:07 pm, "Blondie" wrote:
Just wondering if somebody more learned than i could tell me whether
vegetables grown in the backyard will grow happily under shadecloth or do
they need direct sunlight. Thanks

Hi Blondie
This post, unfortunately, will sound like an advert but we sell a
product called Mikroclima which sounds as though it could answer your
requirements.
Have a look at our site http://www.veggiepatch.com.au and if you have
any questions email us.
Apologies if I have upset members of the group by sounding as though I
am blatantly advertising, not really the intention.
Cheers
John