would 70% aluminet shade be too much?

tarheelchick · June 14, 2017

I'm thinking of buying some aluminet shade cloth that I can use on both my tomato plants and use as a pet cover on my car when needed. I would prefer to buy the 70% as I know that works better for cooling the car interior. I take my dog to training sessions/outings that require him to be crated in the car for brief periods of time. (Full disclosure...the dog is constantly supervised and I am with him at all times.....don't worry.)

But, is 70% too much for using as a tarp over my tomato plants? I wouldn't be covering the sides, only above the top and only for say 4 hours or so a day during the hottest part of the day. I only have a few plants (in the ground) and it wouldn't be that hard to take the shade cloth on and off when needed.

We are beginning to have extremely hot and humid days and things won't be getting any better around here until fall.

Is 50% really the maximum that I should go with shading the plants? Around here the temps reach the mid 90's by noon and stay there until late afternoon or later.

June 14, 2017	#1
tarheelchick Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2015 Location: NC Posts: 97	would 70% aluminet shade be too much? I'm thinking of buying some aluminet shade cloth that I can use on both my tomato plants and use as a pet cover on my car when needed. I would prefer to buy the 70% as I know that works better for cooling the car interior. I take my dog to training sessions/outings that require him to be crated in the car for brief periods of time. (Full disclosure...the dog is constantly supervised and I am with him at all times.....don't worry.) But, is 70% too much for using as a tarp over my tomato plants? I wouldn't be covering the sides, only above the top and only for say 4 hours or so a day during the hottest part of the day. I only have a few plants (in the ground) and it wouldn't be that hard to take the shade cloth on and off when needed. We are beginning to have extremely hot and humid days and things won't be getting any better around here until fall. Is 50% really the maximum that I should go with shading the plants? Around here the temps reach the mid 90's by noon and stay there until late afternoon or later.