Shading tomato plants: Avoiding sunburn, sunscald in hot weather

During sunny hot weather the hot sun may sunburn/sunscald your tomatoes. Best to make some shade for that especially-hot-afte-2 p.m. sun if you can.

50% shade cloth works well and is simple to use. Most shade cloth sold in big box stores is about 75%. That means it filters out about 75% of the sun. 50% is better and easily purchased online.

Using 50% shade cloth, cut strips about 2-3 feet wide and about 6 feet tall. As seen in the picture, hang these strips on the outside of the cages to shield plants from the hot blistering sun. You may need 2 strips on one plant. You can leave the shade cloth hanging on the cages 24/7 for the rest of the season. This will help prevent sunscald/sunburn.

If you see that your tomatoes are getting sunburned, sometimes it’s best to pick them a little early and let them finish ripening inside. When it gets really hot, many tomato plants stop producing red pigment; instead of turning red, tomatoes will ripen an orange color.

You are welcome to share this information with others—family, friends and clubs, etc.

Sharing tips helps us be better growers. 

Dave Freed /  the Tomato Guy