When Full Sun Becomes Too Much Sun

Why I added a lightweight shade tunnel to my vegetable garden.

It has been extremely hot here in San Antonio. We have received some rain—which has been lovely—but once the temperatures start reaching the mid-90s and the heat index feels closer to 105, the garden begins to show it.

Yes, many vegetables love the sun, but that does not mean they need to sit outside getting scorched all day. My tomatoes, peppers, onions, basil, and Cuban oregano have been looking a little too thirsty for my liking. The oregano is actually growing so well that I need to cut it back and give some away, but several of the other plants could use some relief from the strongest part of the day.

To help, I ordered a lightweight tunnel-style shade cover for the garden. It is not a pop-up tent, but it should be light enough for me to move when needed. That was important because I did not want another shade cloth that required a complicated setup or deep stakes in the ground.

And let me tell you—here in San Antonio, we do not have regular soil. We have clay. Once you try to drive something too far into that ground, the fun is over.

I selected the 6-by-10-foot size because it appears large enough to cover most of my vegetable-growing area. I also chose the 40% shade option, meaning it will reduce some of the direct sunlight without putting the plants in complete shade. The material still allows air and water to pass through, so I should not have to remove it every time it rains or when the garden needs watering.

I am hoping the added protection will help the plants look less stressed, hold onto moisture a little better, and put more energy into growing instead of simply surviving the Texas heat. It may even give me enough protection to finally set up my elevated raised garden bed—yes, the one I keep accidentally calling a flower bed.

The shade cover should arrive Monday or Tuesday. Once I have it set up, I will share photos and updates so we can see whether my plants appreciate their new little break from the sun.

How are you helping your garden handle the summer heat?

See the lightweight garden shade cover I purchased: Garden Shade Cover

Happy Gardening!