How to create garden shade for plants and people
The summer heatwave that we've come to expect every year is a wholly welcome prospect for some, but for many gardeners it raises the question of what will become of their carefully nurtured plants. Unlike the other 10 or so months of the year when we are consumed with the task of getting plants enough light, we now have the exact opposite problem - too much sun makes plants wilt and wither away.
So, here are some practical solutions to keeping your fragile flora protected from the fierce summer sun, ranging from the basic to the not-so-basic...
Cheap and cheerful
For a basic solution to sun that will take minimum time to install and which you can take down as and when needed, a sheet of shade netting like Nutley's 50 percent shade netting (£15.15 for 5x2m, Amazon) will do the trick. Simply peg it down over the area you wish to shade and you're sorted. Perhaps not the most aesthetic solution, especially if you slaved over your veg patch to create perfect rows of courgettes and lettuces, but this netting does reduce sun exposure by around 50 per cent and can be used during the winter to protect against wind, too.
For something with a bit of structure, go for the Giant EasyNet Tunnel (£23.74, Little Fields Farm). This neat little net tunnel provides substantial shading from strong sunlight as well as protection from birds, insects and other pests. It conserves moisture, and the tunnel structure provides some space for your plants to grow.
Another good option for growing on young plants, providing some height and a little more elegance than a simple sheet of netting, is the Seedling Growhouse Cloche (£50, Wyvale). Both can also be easily dismantled and stored.
For greenhouses, this Palram Shade Kit (£32.99, Garden Street) is also a good option, reducing sunlight exposure by up to 70 percent.
For people, too
For adding shade to a seating area to keep people cool, a stylish DIY canopy like this Coolaroo square shade sail (£124.99, Garden Street) may be the answer. It comes in a range of colours and with a set of stainless steel bolts ready to be fitted to whatever structure you please. A few thick stakes in the ground and some elbow grease is all that's required.
If that sounds a little too much effort to be going to in the heat, a ready-made freestanding canopy like this LG Outdoor sail shade (£292.88) is also a good option, providing sun protection over your outdoor table at the hottest parts of the day and allowing you to enjoy a drink al fresco. And when the midday sun has waned into an early evening glow, you can move the canopy to one side.
Splashing out
One of the most classic and stylish ways to provide shade in a garden (for you and plants) is with a pergola or gazebo. Companies like The Garden Trellis Company, internetgardener.co.uk and Harrod Horticulture sell a variety of wooden and metal frames in all shapes and sizes, ranging from £360 right up to £40,000 for a bespoke design and fitting. With the addition of a sheet or some tasteful climbers growing within the ladders, you can create permanent shade that will transform your garden into a romantic oasis.
