Shade cloth helps reduce the amount of direct sunlight reaching vegetables, seedlings, nursery plants, patios, and greenhouse spaces. Available shade percentages indicate how much light the material is designed to block; a higher percentage creates denser shade and leaves less light available to plants.
Selecting shade cloth
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30% shade: lighter shading where plants still require substantial sunlight
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40–60% shade: moderate protection for heat-sensitive crops, propagation areas, and many greenhouse applications
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70–80% shade: dense shade for plants or spaces that require much lower light levels
Choose a percentage based on the crop, climate, time of year, and hours of direct sun rather than percentage alone. Keep cloth above the foliage when practical to encourage airflow, and monitor plants after installation. Shop Shade Fabric or find compatible clips and fasteners.