So here's my question. Can I use shade cloth to harden off plants and if so what percentage?
My plan was to put all 32 trays on a trailer I have and roll it in and out of the garage to harden off. Well I got to thinking doing it this way the plants will see an hour of sunlight and then be rolled into a dark garage for the rest of the day and night. I'm thinking this might not be enough light for them and possible stunt/slow them down. There are no trees close (well close enough for me to push and pull that heavy ass trailer back and forth to each day) that I can park the trailer under for shade.
So I was thinking of leaving the trailer in the driveway but covering the plants with shade cloth. At night the trailer would go into the garage since not warm enough for plants to be out all night and cover with a blanket. Not sure if this will work. Would I have to have multiple percentage cloths and gradually switch to each or would I be able to use one percentage and after a couple weeks remove it all together and be good? Can I lay it right on top of the plants or does it need to be suspended above them to work properly? It's too much of a hassle to carry 32 trays with 15 solo cups in each outside and then back in after an hour or so each day so trying to figure out a solution and hoping shade cloth can help in some way. Any info and or different ideas are much appreciated. I'm used to hardening off 30 or so plants not over 400. Thanks!
My plan was to put all 32 trays on a trailer I have and roll it in and out of the garage to harden off. Well I got to thinking doing it this way the plants will see an hour of sunlight and then be rolled into a dark garage for the rest of the day and night. I'm thinking this might not be enough light for them and possible stunt/slow them down. There are no trees close (well close enough for me to push and pull that heavy ass trailer back and forth to each day) that I can park the trailer under for shade.
So I was thinking of leaving the trailer in the driveway but covering the plants with shade cloth. At night the trailer would go into the garage since not warm enough for plants to be out all night and cover with a blanket. Not sure if this will work. Would I have to have multiple percentage cloths and gradually switch to each or would I be able to use one percentage and after a couple weeks remove it all together and be good? Can I lay it right on top of the plants or does it need to be suspended above them to work properly? It's too much of a hassle to carry 32 trays with 15 solo cups in each outside and then back in after an hour or so each day so trying to figure out a solution and hoping shade cloth can help in some way. Any info and or different ideas are much appreciated. I'm used to hardening off 30 or so plants not over 400. Thanks!