As the days get warmer it’s a good idea to provide shade and protection when planting new seedlings or herbs. To have a continual harvest of fresh veggies throughout the warm months, you’ll need to provide shade for any soft or fine-leafed plants to stop leaf burn.
DIY shade covers are quick, cheap and easy to make and you can easily install them, and also move them as needed.
I recently planted some new salad veggies and herbs for a client and also installed my DIY shade cover to protect the little cuties !!
Here’s a few pics of the garden bed covers…
As there was Bamboo growing on the property I was able to cut a few green stems, trim off the leaves and cut to size.
Fresh Bamboo bends easily and provides a free frame for the shade cloth.
I purchased 50% blockout shade cloth to fit the length of the garden bed.
I then pushed the bamboo ends deep into the side of the garden bed, covered the top with the shade cloth and attached with a few small cable ties.
The side of the garden that receives the most sun was fully covered and the opposite side was left unattached, to allow for planting, watering and picking.
The loose ends were attached with laundry pegs…or you could use old hair clips or any other item suitable.
The folded edges provide extra sun protection to the new plants…especially good on a hot day !!
The new seedlings were very happy with their new home and after a good drink they were sitting up smiling !!
Happy Days !!
© cath manuel 24 september 2013
