This coming weather adversely affects the plants with excessive sunlight and heat. Due to the intense sunlight and high temperatures, the soil of the plants loses its moisture-retaining capacity. Consequently, the plants suffer from a lack of nutrients and water, increasing the risk of their deterioration. To address this issue, providing shaded areas with green netting can offer a solution in your garden, shielding the plants from excessive sunlight and helping maintain moisture levels in the soil, thus ensuring their health and vitality.
Cover Them According To The Plant’s Need
The use of shade nets can protect plants from direct sunlight. Installing shade nets allows filtered sunlight to reach the plants, providing them with the right amount of sunlight. In a garden, applying a 50% shade net will control intense sunlight, reaching only half of the plants. For fruits, flowers, and vegetables, shade nets ranging from 50% to 75% are suitable, depending on their light requirements. Using a 75% shade net is appropriate for plants valued for their aesthetics. The application of shade nets depends on the location; if the garden receives sunlight until noon, a 50% shade net suffices. However, if the garden receives sunlight afternoon, a 75% shade net is advisable for optimal protection against excessive sunlight.
Adjust The Heights Nets Appropriately
If the height of the shade net is too low, it can potentially touch the plants, leading to possible damage or breakage. This contact can hinder the growth of the plants and limit their space for development. Therefore, the height of the shade net is crucial to ensure that it doesn’t obstruct the plants’ growth or pose a risk of damage. Ideally, the height of the shade net should range from 8 to 10 feet, providing ample space for the plants to grow underneath. Additionally, securing the shade net firmly from all sides is essential to prevent it from flying away during strong winds or storms, ensuring the safety of the plants beneath it.
Water Requirement Will Be Less
The use of shade nets reduces water evaporation, minimises the impact of hot weather, and decreases the need for frequent watering of plants. With the shade net in place, the evaporation of water is reduced, helping to maintain soil moisture levels for longer durations.
Most plants tend to wilt under excessive sunlight, but some require more sunlight for growth. Hence, determining when and how much sunlight each plant needs is crucial. Here’s a guide:
- Leafy vegetables like bitter gourd and tomatoes should be kept in the evening sunlight.
- Okra and eggplants thrive when exposed to full sunlight.
- Root vegetables like beets and radishes also prefer shade.
- Fruit-bearing plants should receive full sunlight until noon, then be placed in shade.
- Aloe vera should be placed under shade nets.
- Decorative plants such as crotons, ferns, and exotic flowers like orchids also need shade.
- Succulent plants, money plants, and snake plants should be kept in the shade.
- Sun-loving plants like roses, bougainvillaea, cacti, and portulaca should be exposed to full sunlight.
Understanding the sunlight requirements of different plants ensures optimal growth and health, contributing to a vibrant and thriving garden.