The Garden
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Homemade High tunnel & shade cloth
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Homemade High tunnel & shade cloth
I’m trying to build a high tunnel from wood. I have my own sawmill and plenty of trees to work with. It’s taking longer than I hoped because of the limited time I’ve had to mill. The garden area is approx 48’x32’. I have 9ft deer fencing around it right now. I will be cutting the corner/side posts to height soon.
In the meantime we also tilled a 2nd garden area 10 ft away that is the same size with 7ft deer fence. Only have T-posts around that area. Because the price & time to get supplies/limber is going to take me a little while, I was considering buying just the shade cloth first and putting that over the garden areas first (& only temporarily until I can complete build). Is this idea going to help or should I just let the direct sunlight hit the areas until I am ready to complete the build. Timeframe to get project completed is unknown. Like most of you, we have been in a drought for a while now. I live in Zone 6a (close to 6b) in Illinois. Crops we have planted are: corn, tomatoes, peppers, peas, green beans, radish, cucumber, squash, lettuce, spinach.
Thoughts, comments, questions?
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7 Replies
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Danny at Deep South recommends more shade than usual for plants. Solar wim wams, and the drought does not help!
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Yeah I knew he said that the sun was gonna be bad & high tunnels were gonna be the way of the future. Just wasn’t sure if doing shade cloth alone would be ok. At least until I can get high tunnel built, but not sure how long that will take me. Thanks for the input tho.
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I put my shade cloth up almost immediately. We have unbearable heat already and not enough rain to even mention. If your already in a drought I would put it up just to try and keep moisture in the ground
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I think that’s what I’m gonna try. Thanks
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Could you tell their were results with shade cloth only?
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Oh yes. My herbs have not bolted yet and things are still green and thriving. I’m in the gulf coastal area of mississippi and our heat and humidity is killer here. I used a 70% shade cloth and have a small fan blowing in it 24/7. I will be buying more shade cloth just for my big garden next year. Well worth the money in my opinion
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Thanks
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