To Shade or Not to Shade (that is the question)?

[Garden Manager]

Sorry Mr Shakespeare! LOL

I have somewhat of a dilemma this tear as to whether or not to shade my greenhouse this year. To date I have not done so and so far all my plants seem to be doing fine. It does though get very hot in there in the mornings, although thanks to the house's aspect (door faces south) and nearby trees it gets natural shade in the afternoon and cools down quite a bit.

Am i being a bit mad not to put any shading up? I am wondering if not having it will make my tomatoes and peppers ripen quicker. I have found in past years with shading (either paint or netting) the tomatoes were slow to ripen and were not that much quicker doing so than the outdoor fruits, which kind of defeats the object of growing in a greenhouse!

I have also noted that other people I know who grow tomatoes under glass do not shade and seem to get ripe fruit ahead of me.

Any thoughts or advice please. What do you do?

[Garden Manager]

[Jeannine]

I have never shaded, just ventilated XX Jeannine

[Deb P]

Me neither....I do dampen the floor regularly to keep the humidity up and temperature down though.

[goodlife]

Hmm..if they only get 'cooked' part of the day..and being in the morning..which is better..like others..I would not shade..
If it would be all day job..then maybe..

[grannyjanny]

Sorry to but in but the sun hits my g/h at about 11am until the sun goes down, shade or no shade please?

[landimad]

I would shade as yours has the same problem as mine.
To much sunlight will burn and dry out the plants before you get chance to save them.
On top of that I would ventilate well and if possible keep a tub of water inside for those who will be in need of a drink.

[goodlife]

Code Select Expand

Sorry to but in but the sun hits my g/h at about 11am until the sun goes down, shade or no shade please?
..yes..I probably would shade too...but you can see if you plants start to look like they've had bit too much..a bit sloppy and droopy... ;D ;)..
If you have something like builders mesh (green stuff) or fleece or even old net curtain..just peg it on outside..I doesn't have to cover all over..just to keep worst of the sun glare away..and in rainy/cloudy day it is easy to take off again.. ;)

[tim]

Over 85C there will be a pollination problem.

[kt.]

I have never shaded, just ventilated

Same here. 

[tim]

85F - of course!!

[cleo]

I don`t shade but I do keep the bubble wrap up to about 4 feet on the west face of my greenhouse-that aspect is in full sun all afternoon and evening. 

[carrot-cruncher]

My g/house thermometer clocked up 41 C yesterday and thats with my grapevine providing shading!!!!!!

CC