How do I find my shade net percentage?

Finding the proper percentage of shade net for your garden may seem to be a daunting task. Shade nets are pretty simple, despite their appearance. Shade netting percentages allow you to choose the best level of shade for your plants.

40%-60% shade net can reduce temperatures by 13-23°F and increase plant productivity. Orchids and ferns demand 70% shade, whereas heat-tolerant plants prefer less than 30% to 40%. It depends, but 40%-60% is a good starting point. 

Choose a shade cloth based on the plants it will cover. Plant varieties require different light levels for maximum growth, so use a shade net.

What is a shade net?

The idea of shade net has been around for quite some time and is relatively simple. Typically, gardeners will use shade ne to shield their plants from the sun.

Although this article focuses on the percentage of shades netting to protect people or plants from the sun's beams. You should also be aware that they can be used to protect plants from wind and cold, as well as to provide shade for animals and humans.

Choose the Right Percentage of Shade Net

The density of sun shade net is measured in terms of the amount of sunlight it blocks. Light transmission is reduced in proportion to the increase in the percentage of obstruction. 50% density shade fabric blocks 50% of the sun's rays, while 90% density shade cloth blocks 90%.

The density of the shade net is the most critical factor because its primary function is to prevent sunlight.The amount of light blocked by the shade netting is proportional to the percentage of the shaded fabric.

Standard percentages of shade offered:  40%,  50%,  60%, 70%,  80% , 90%

This is because of how shade net is constructed. Knitted shade netting will not unravel if a hole occurs because the threads flow in opposite directions.Additionally, the knitted option is untouched by most of the cleaning agents and pesticides used in gardening. While woven shade net cannot be stretched, knitted shade netting can be stretched by up to 3 percent. But some plants can't grow without a certain amount of shade.

Shade-loving plants like orchids and ferns, for instance, need 70 percent shade netting to get enough light.Shade net percentage in mixed-use greenhouses typically ranges from 40 to 50 percent. 

At the same time, this can vary greatly depending on the specifics of your crop, greenhouse ventilation system, environment, and greenhouse orientation to the sun.

For example, 40 percent shade net is suggested for summer greenhouse tomatoes and no shade in winter. In contrast, a California producer may use up to 80 percent shade in summer and 50 percent in winter.

If your greenhouse faces north-south, it will collect less heat in winter and summer, allowing you to use less thick shade net. If it is aligned east-west, the broadside of the greenhouse will always have sunlight and collect more solar heat.