A shade house is a specialized garden structure covered with woven cloth or netting, designed to filter incoming solar radiation and reduce ambient temperature. This controlled environment protects sensitive plants from the intensity of direct sunlight, which can cause leaf scorch and heat stress. Building a shade house allows gardeners to extend the growing season, cultivate plants that require lower light levels, and maintain optimal temperatures for propagating new seedlings. The structure creates a microclimate that reduces evapotranspiration, meaning plants require less frequent watering to thrive.
Essential Planning and Site Preparation
Determining the precise dimensions of the structure is the first step, as this dictates the amount of material needed for both the frame and the shade cloth. Consider the mature size of the plants to be housed, ensuring the height and width allow for adequate air circulation. Selecting the correct location is equally important, requiring an analysis of the sun’s path to understand how the structure will receive light throughout the day.
The chosen site should offer excellent natural drainage to prevent water accumulation, which causes root rot and disease. Leveling the ground is necessary before setting the foundation, ensuring the frame will sit true and straight. Clearing all vegetation from the footprint prevents weeds and simplifies the anchoring process. Proximity to a reliable water source and potential power for ventilation fans should also factor into the site selection.
Frame Materials and Shade Cloth Selection
The frame supports the shade material and must be strong enough to withstand wind and the weight of the cloth. Common choices include PVC piping, metal electrical conduit (EMT), and treated lumber, each offering a balance of cost and durability. PVC is the most economical and easiest to assemble using solvent cement and T-fittings, though it offers less wind resistance for larger structures. Metal conduit provides a more robust framework and is often used for hoop-style houses, requiring a pipe bender for shaping.
Treated lumber is the sturdiest option, offering a traditional aesthetic and high resistance to environmental wear, but it is the most expensive and time-consuming to assemble. The shade cloth is rated by the percentage of sunlight it blocks. This percentage directly measures the light reduction and cooling capacity provided to the plants.
Selecting the appropriate percentage is important for plant health and depends on the crops being grown and the local climate intensity. A 30% to 40% shade cloth is recommended for light-loving vegetables (e.g., tomatoes and peppers) in moderately hot climates, providing relief from midday intensity. For general-purpose gardening, including most flowering ornamentals and mixed vegetable crops, a 50% to 60% fabric is a common choice. Delicate plants, like ferns, orchids, or newly transplanted seedlings, often require maximum protection, necessitating a cloth rated at 70% or higher to prevent scorching and maintain a cooler environment.
Step-by-Step Construction Guide
Construction begins with establishing a secure foundation, which is essential for wind resistance. For a rectangular structure, corner posts (wood or metal) should be set into the ground using concrete footings or anchored with metal ground sleeves. These vertical supports must be plumb and evenly spaced according to the determined dimensions, ensuring the final structure is square.
Once the foundation posts are secured, assemble the main structural frame by connecting the vertical posts with horizontal supports to form the walls and roof lines. This framework provides attachment points for the shade cloth and determines the overall rigidity of the house. For wooden frames, secure top plates and cross-braces with galvanized screws or bolts to prevent rust and maintain stability.
Before covering the frame, construct the access points, typically a single door frame built into one wall section. This entry point should be wide and tall enough to allow easy passage with tools and wheelbarrows. It is usually fitted with a hinged door or a section of the shade cloth that can be rolled up. Adequate access ensures that maintenance and harvesting can be performed without damaging the frame or the cloth.
The final important step involves securing the shade cloth, which must be stretched tautly over the frame. Measure the cloth, allowing for generous overhang (one to two feet) on all sides to accommodate securing points and ensure complete coverage. Attach the cloth starting at one end, pulling it tightly across the frame to the opposite end before securing it permanently.
Use specialized fasteners, such as snap clamps for metal conduit or batten tape for wooden frames, to hold the cloth securely without tearing the fabric. Achieve high tension across the surface to minimize flapping in the wind, which causes premature wear and damage. Any excess material can be trimmed after the main sections are secured, ensuring the edges are cleanly fastened to prevent fraying.