Shade Cloth

I will be outdoors this year in 80-90 degree weather in the desert where I have to haul water in. Water is not cheap so I am considering using shade cloth to reduce watering needs and to try to keep majority of the rain/hail off.

What percentage is best? 30%? What's your all's opinions on using it?

I have been planning on using it over a hoop house for light dep (to cover from rain/bugs/hail/wind) since it's a bitch trying to cover them last minutes notice for hail.

Also will be building wood frames over outdoor plants to build trellis netting on - I am considering putting shade cloth over the top of the frame with the hopes it will protect from hail/rain.

What is your alls opinions on this? Will it work? Will it reduce yield/density? Is protecting from hail/rain and the reduced watering cost worth the potential loss in yield/density?

Thanks in advance!

Having nearly the same conditions, only hotter, I will say it was beneficial.

Plants were maybe 6" shorter, yet seemed a little bushier than the previous summer.

This stuff looks like maybe 70% of the sun comes through. My sun is brutal in August. Over 100 in most afternoons in my garden. I got the cloth after a sideways hail storm in May almost got my girls, and one that was a boy down the road.

Your proposed setup is a little better than what I had. I'd say you're on the right track.
Good luck with your spot!

I might suggest some clear covering on the top and shade cloth on the sides with the option to cover with shade cloth. I only know of one shade cloth available at the hard ware store and I think it's 70% or so . I wouldn't suggest any more. I live in the high desert and the plants do fine in 100 f plus . It's in flower that high of temps and humidity can cause certain effects.

Lurrabq said:

Having nearly the same conditions, only hotter, I will say it was beneficial.

Plants were maybe 6" shorter, yet seemed a little bushier than the previous summer.

This stuff looks like maybe 70% of the sun comes through. My sun is brutal in August. Over 100 in most afternoons in my garden. I got the cloth after a sideways hail storm in May almost got my girls, and one that was a boy down the road.

Your proposed setup is a little better than what I had. I'd say you're on the right track.
Good luck with your spot!

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TWS said:

I might suggest some clear covering on the top and shade cloth on the sides with the option to cover with shade cloth. I only know of one shade cloth available at the hard ware store and I think it's 70% or so . I wouldn't suggest any more. I live in the high desert and the plants do fine in 100 f plus . It's in flower that high of temps and humidity can cause certain effects.

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Thank you both! One of my biggest concerns with high heat is how much water they need to stay happy, and since i'll have to haul water in, it will be a bitch! lol plus expensive. I know when I did outdoor a couple years back my plants thrived in the 100-105 degree weather, just needed a shit load of water to thrive in those conditions. So I guess for the light dep shade cloth should actually be beneficial to drop temps a little..?

Cutting the light to not have to water as much seems counter productive with lower yields.

Maybe think about as big as possible pots or holes and use some water retention crystals and cover with straw. The bigger the canopy the less sun on the hole.

My plants in my green house with a clear top and shade cloth sides use less water than the ones in direct sun and once the canopy is full it's alot cooler down at the base .