I didn't need much cloth, live in Central AZ (105/summers) but priced 50% Black vs. 50% White at Gemplers White added 75% to the cost... White seems like it would be an advantage against radiating heat An Austrailian guy says it's EZ to just 'white wash' the black cloth I am going to try and save that 75% cost!! I plan to: Water down some exterior white latex (25-30% water) then 'dry roll' it against some plywood then hang to dry 2nd coat it if necessary. Should work for us do-it-yourselfers! Cheers!

I have been in Redding many times and can agree it is HOT there. It really depends on what you are growing in the vegetable line. Many of our summer time vegetables, given enough water, will love the full sun of Redding. I think you will need to separate into different beds those plants that will need some summer shade to prevent them from bolting or sunburning. Al

tony -- you're right about the wind, but i've found that when it falls on the plants, no problem -- it's so light it doesn't harm the plants growing. i have to right it every other day or so, and wait until the next gust. so, light stakes mean that it gets knocked over easily but it doesn't harm the plants when it happens. ladyaustin... it's too late really for spinach. maybe the shade cloth will help, but i find that spinach grows well only in winter here (and i mean january and february). chard, in particular seafoam chard (pinetree seeds) performs well for me into june. (MUCH better than bright light or the other colored chards.) it's a bit better at fending off slugs &c., too -- the leaves are really savoy (crinkly) and it seems to turn off the bugs/slugs. i've had somewhat rotten luck with it this year -- i could not get it to germinate for some reason (bad seeds?), and then when i DID get it growing, the slugs and worms just went at it. now, though, it's too hot for the slugs, so if i can keep it going for another month, i'll be happy. if you've never had chard -- it ROCKS. much tastier, i think, than spinach, without the oxalic acid (gritty feel) and the stems can be cooked like asparagus or celery. two veg in one!

Hazel, how exciting to hear about your plants! It's a fun and rewarding time of year, isn't it? I have decided not to worry so much about doing every little thing just so, Dawn is right, plants know what to do. SO. . . when did you plant your beans? You planted them from seed? What kind of beans did you plant? I have not planted mine yet but I'm thinking I need to get on the ball and do it. My habit has been to plant later rather than earlier and I think this year I want to go ahead and get my seeds in the ground. It's been a warm and extremely dry season so far. I'm sure the colder temps are behind us. I just want RAIN!! My carrots and beets are still very small but at least they have a start. Everything I started indoors, under the grow light I made, I have been very disappointed with. (I'll do my homework for next year) I started my squash and cukes too early and I'm just going to plant seeds next week. My tomatoes are just pitiful. I think I'll keep trying and transplant next month and have a back up plan with plants from a nursery. Here in Enid, my selection is a joke, BUT actually last year I bought a cherry tomato plant, variety unknown, that just did marvelous and produced till the frost did it's number on it. My peas that I planted from seeds look great, about 3" tall now. Oh how I hope I get a good crop, I do love my peas! My asparagus is doing superb, almost all of the 18 or so plants have sprouted and are now covered with soil and hay. Dawn, you have so much experience and give great advice, so here is a question for you. What kind of Espoma do you use? I had no idea there were so many to choose from! I also have been adding organic material to my soil for the past couple of years and it's looking good, I would like to simplify things and get a basic fertilizer, if that is what can be done. I have had the OSU extension center do soil sample tests on different parts of my garden for a couple of years and my pH is good, just needs a bit of potassium and phosphorus, which I have added. Thanks all!