Casting Shade to Keep People, Pets, and Plants Cool

  • Black shade cloth is often the preferred fabric color because it blocks more UV rays from reaching the plants underneath. A layer of heat does form immediately beneath the cloth, but if the cloth doesn’t touch plants directly (allowing air to circulate), heat will rise through the fabric (image: epicgardening.com).
    Black shade cloth is often the preferred fabric color because it blocks more UV rays from reaching the plants underneath. A layer of heat does form immediately beneath the cloth, but if the cloth doesn’t touch plants directly (allowing air to circulate), heat will rise through the fabric (image: epicgardening.com).

    Summers’ intensity and heat have quickly ramped up in SETX. The sun’s rays and intense heat, coupled with increasing humidity are impactful environmental challenges people, pets, and plants face daily which can quickly become problematic and have dire consequences if exposure is for a lengthy period. Gardeners need to remain vigilant and aware of heat-related illness (heat stress). Heat cramps, he…