With the snow melting, spring comes, which is the best season of the year for plants. The temperature is right, and the light that plants need is abundant. All the plants enjoy a comfortable environment and grow pleasantly. But quickly, summer approaches. The sun is burning, and the temperature is rising constantly. In this period, the plants need more water and protection. Otherwise, they will dry out soon.
Then how do you protect your plants? Have you thought of the “shade cloth”?
It’s just like having an umbrella for your plants, protecting them from sunburn and reducing the amount of water used for irrigation.
However， you need to know five tips for shade cloth before you purchase the right one.
What is shade cloth?
Shade cloth is a special stretch of fabric with an ultraviolet (UV) resistant component that provides shade against sunlight and controls the temperature.
It can protect flowers and trees against frost, wind, and hail damage and be used for temporary fencing, packaging applications, and greenhouse covering.
Shade cloth for plants is usually made from polyethylene. Sometimes, gardeners choose aluminum shade clothes rather than regular materials.
The shading rate of a shade cloth may range from 5% to 95%.
What’s the feature of the shade cloth?
The shade net’s material is High-density polyethylene (HDPE), generally in knitted monofilaments or tapes; aluminum film can also be used in shade cloth. These materials make shade nets heavy-duty, hard-wearing, tear-resistant, and extremely light.
There are multiple sizes of nets, the standard of which is 2, 3, 4, and 8 meters in width and 25, 50, and 100 meters in length. The most common dimensions of these nets are 4.2 m (width) by 100 m (length) with GSM of 120 to 180. The colors of shade cloth are generally Green or Black.
What type of shade cloth is in the market?
There are three main types of shade cloth: “Monofilament,” “Tape,” and” Aluminet.”
 |  |  |
| Monofilament Shade Cloth | Tape Shade Cloth | Aluminet Shade Cloth |
| 100% HDPE Mono.yarn Knitted | 100% HDPE Tape yarn Knitted | Alu. PET Composite Film & PE Yarn |
| 30% ～ 85% | 60%～95% | 10%～99% |
| 90grm~250grm | 75grm~180grm | 80grm~150grm |
| UV Resistance | UV Resistance | Accurate Shading |
| Heavy duty | lightweight | Higher Shading Rang |
| Ventilation | Higher Shading | Heat & Light Reflection |
| High strength, durable | More Color Choice | Reduce 10+ degree |
| 5～8 Years | 3～5 Years | 3～5 Years |
| Shading Tunnels | Swimming pool coverage | Shade House |
| Horticultural Greenhouses | Parking Lots | Hot House |
| Agriculture Cultivation | Patio | Advanced Greenhouse |
| Shading for Husbandry | Backyard | Agriculture Cultivation |
As we can see from above,
If protecting your plants from scorching weather and making them thrive in hot summer,
knitted Monofilament shade cloth is a better choice due to its life expectancy, functionalities, and easy installation.
The Knitted tape shade cloth is an excellent choice to protect your patio or garden from sunshine because of its multiple colors and decorations.
If you want to use it in an advanced greenhouse, Aluminet Shade Cloth is a better choice due to its accurate, controlled shading ratio and excellent effects.
Which shade rate is suitable for your plants?
According to statistics, a shading rate of 30-50% is helpful for plants,
while 85-95% is better for humans in most cases.
However, for some shade-loving plants, such as orchids and ferns, a 70% or higher shade rate may be ideal for getting appropriate sunlight levels.
| Shade rate | Name of Plants |
| 30% | Roses, Strawberries, Gooseberries, Tomatoes, Cucumber |
| 40% | Bedding Plants , Gloxinias, Herbs, Iris , Lilies, Vegetables |
| 50% | Foliage plants, Cut greens, Orchids, Ginger, Pot plants |
| 60% | Orchlds ( Oncidiums, Phalaenopsis ) |
| 70% | Ferns , Orchids ( Cypripediums) , Philodendron |
| 80% | Indoor plants, Certain Orchids, Plantation crops, Tea, Coffee, Cardamom |
| 90% | Cattle shed Poultry houses, Construction Scaffolding and vehicular shades |
Application of Shade Cloth
The key application areas of shade nets are:
Agricultural applications :
- grape cultivation,
- orchid plantations,
- tea plantations,
- nurseries
Non-agricultural applications :
- swimming pool coverage,
- parking lots,
- patio
- backyard
Conclusion
Using shade cloth to cover your plants will protect them, reduce irrigation water use, and save energy. Give your plants “an umbrella” to protect themselves, and they will bring you unexpected benefits.
Find the Perfect Shade Cloth for Your Needs!
Choosing the proper shade cloth can be overwhelming, but EyouAgro is here to simplify it.
With our wide range of shade percentages and materials, we’ll help you find the ideal solution to protect your crops and maximize yield.
Need assistance in selecting the best shade cloth? Contact our team for personalized recommendations and expert advice.
