{"id":27294,"date":"2026-07-18T04:11:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T11:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/yakima\/?p=27294"},"modified":"2026-07-14T16:20:45","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T23:20:45","slug":"shade-cloth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/yakima\/2026\/07\/18\/shade-cloth\/","title":{"rendered":"Shade Cloth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Shade Cloth for Heat Stressed Plants<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

by Phyllis Pugnetti, Master Gardener<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Excessive summer heat can cause plants to suffer from poor water absorption which results in nutrient deficiencies. Lawns turn yellow; leaves on shrubs and trees curl or develop brown tips, vegetable gardens wilt. More fertilizer and water won\u2019t help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All plants have a temperature range in which they survive and an even narrower range where they actually thrive. If the temperature is too hot or too cold, it slows or stops the process of osmosis which is how plants absorb water and water soluble nutrients. Heat stressed plants are more likely die when other stressors are added. Wait for cooler weather before adding stressors like pruning, transplanting, or applying fertilizer regardless of whether it\u2019s organic or chemical. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since gardeners tend to worry most about their lawns and tomatoes, we\u2019ll use both as examples. Think of your lawn in the spring and fall, when it is lush, green, and growing so fast you have to mow more than once a week. Then as cold winter weather arrives, the lawn gradually turns brown, stops growing, and looks dead. It simply cannot take up water or the nutrients in the water because of the cold. This is also why hot summer weather turns our lawns yellow or tan. Adding water and fertilizer won\u2019t help! Unfortunately lawns are so expansive that there\u2019s not much you can do except wait patiently for mild temperatures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tomato plants aren\u2019t all that different from lawns. They survive when temperatures are between 50\u1d52 and 95\u1d52, but thrive between 75\u1d52 and 85\u1d52. This narrow temperature range is ideal for efficient osmosis in tomatoes. However, tomatoes will continue to grow fairly well about 5\u1d52 cooler or hotter than the ideal zone. The further from ideal, the less efficient osmosis becomes, and gradually plants cannot take up water and nutrients. They grow slowly, turn yellow, wilt, and may eventually die. Once again you are waiting for the temperatures to drop into the ideal zone.<\/p>\n\n\n

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While patience is about the only solution for lawns, you may want a more aggressive approach for tender plants (tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants) during the hottest part of the summer. Consider shade cloth, an open weave synthetic fabric that allows for reduced amounts of air, light, and water to pass through. It\u2019s often used in greenhouses and garden centers to protect shade loving and tender plants. Shade cloth is available in local garden centers or online. It is commonly found in long rolls of fabric that is 6 feet wide and will be cut to the length you need. It is priced at about $5 per linear foot. Sometimes it\u2019s sold in premeasured lengths of 50 or 100 feet for a lower price per foot. It may be less expensive but is harder to find. Also shade cloth is sold as shade sails or patio covers. Shade sails have finished edges with grommets and come in many widths and lengths, yet are oftentimes the least expensive option. Amazon recently had 9×12 foot tan shade sails for $25.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before buying any shade cloth it is important to ask what you want it to do: reduce light or reduce heat? They are not the same. Dark colors of black, brown, or green shade cloth provide the darkest shade. Because the dark colors also absorb a little heat, the overall cooling effect is about 6-11\u1d52. On the other hand, light colors of tan, wheat, or white reflect heat away from the shade cloth reducing temperatures about 10-15\u1d52, enough to get plants back into their growing zone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a shade cloth structure, it helps to have at least one or two open sides that are away from direct sunlight for better air flow and ventilation. Shade cloth should be above the plants at least one foot but more is better. Also, some people report using up to 65% less water inside a shade cloth structure, so be sure to adjust your irrigation as needed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most plants will survive all but the hottest of summers without any pampering, but surviving and thriving are not the same thing. Shaded tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant, may have less blossom drop, blossom end rot, sunscald damage, and better take up of water and nutrients, all of which result in better overall health and higher yields. When temperatures in our valley hover above 90\u1d52 shade cloth may be the right solution. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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