Best Shade Cloth for Tomato Production - Reduce Detrimental Scalding and Shouldering
While tomatoes like warm weather, most varieties tend to struggle immensely when temperatures start breaking into the high 80’s and 90’s. These high temperatures can negatively impact tomato production just as much as cold temperatures.
Sun scald, fruit cracking, blossom drop, uneven ripening, and Yellow Shouldering Disorder are just a few of the negative impacts too much heat (and sunlight) can have on production. For this reason, keeping tomatoes cool in the hottest part of the year is vital for improved tomato production. Finding the best shade cloth for tomato plant protection is a big part of maintaining yield.
In this post we outline the best shade cloth for tomato production. Our conclusions are based on conversations with various growers, as well as referencing numerous agricultural extension offices across many states.
While there are many variables for growers in different climates (which we cover further on in this post) here are our conclusions based on available research for the best shade net for tomato production:
Best all around sunshade net for tomato production: 40% black shade cloth
Best reflective sun shade net for tomato production: 40% Aluminet Shade Cloth
Best budget shade cloth for tomato production: 30% black shade cloth
While having reflective properties for shade cloth has its benefits, we selected the 40% black shade net sun as the overall best for production because it is a bit more affordable when compared to the reflective options on the market.
