Shade Gardening
Following the recent announcement from the Bureau of Meteorology predicting a hot and windy summer for 2025, it’s evident that we are already feeling the effects of climate change. With increasingly frequent extreme temperatures and unpredictable weather, our summer shading strategies can no longer consist of draping sheets over plants during the occasional hot days. We’ve moved beyond that. We need removable shade structures that can remain in place for days while still allowing the plants to thrive underneath.
Watering alone is not enough
As a fan of wicking beds, I’ve learned that even with plenty of water, intense sunlight can still harm your crops. We can’t rely solely on watering to combat extreme heat. While it may see counterintuitive—since summer vegetables thrive in sunlight—creating shade in vegetable gardens is becoming increasingly essential. Shade not only protects crops from harsh sunlight and sunburn but also conserves soil moisture and reduces heat stress, leading to healthier plants and improved yields. Even for sun-loving crops like tomatoes and cucumbers.
Cool it!
Recently, I participated in a community workshop at the Farnham Street Community Garden in Flemington as part of their 'Cool It' Project. Focusing on climate resilience, the workshop explored transforming vulnerable spaces into thriving gardens, with both natural and manmade shading approaches.
Food forests for shade
Food forests offer a natural way to enhance your garden's resilience against extreme heat. Consider the refreshing coolness to be found in a wooded area on a hot day—this is the same concept behind a food forest, where dense layers of foliage provide mutual protection. However, not everyone can establish a food forest; some prefer to use distinct garden beds for growing their food.
Framing options for shade
Many off-the-shelf wicking beds offer exclusion netting frame options, which can be adapted with shade netting. But if you’ve built DIY wicking or raised beds, these may not be suitable. At the Cool It session, I 
learned that effective solutions can often be found in hard rubbish, reusing materials and taking it a sustainability step further. Clothes airers and PVC piping can be upcycled to create all manner of solutions. These lightweight yet sturdy materials can protect specific plants or areas in your garden beds. Alternatively, you can use simple "build-a-frame" kits with metal brackets and garden stakes to cover entire beds. Net securing methods can vary based on your resources and preferences; stainless steel clasps work well, but skilled sewers can attach Velcro straps or go for the fitted net approach relatively easily.
Don't forget about pollination
When designing your shade, keep in mind that most summer vegetables depend on pollination for fruit development, and nets can hinder this process. It’s important to design your temporary structure with flexibility in mind, keeping it small enough so you can remove it entirely for periods of time or at least have the ability to roll up one side of a larger netting installation. This will give pollinators access to the flowers when it’s cooler. You also need to be able to harvest your vegetables easily. Many summer fruiting vegetables rely on regular picking to keep them producing.
I can't wait to hear how the ‘Cool It’ project progresses as it tests out different styles of netting and shapes and strategies this summer. The project has been grant funded by Moonee Valley City Council, to explore garden resilience techniques. We'll be sure to share their findings.
Three Main Benefits of Shading Your Vegetable Garden
Temperature Regulation: Shade lowers soil and air temperatures, reducing heat stress on plants.- Moisture Retention: By filtering sunlight, shade decreases evaporation, helping maintain soil moisture crucial for healthy root systems.
- Extended Growing Season: Shaded areas can create microclimates that allow crops to thrive longer.
Using a shade cloth is an effective option to build resilience to food growing in the summer months, but there are some other alternatives which are a little simpler and less committed than a full-on food forest -
- Companion Planting: Taller plants, like sunflowers, can naturally shade shorter vegetables, maximizing space. Easy to create than a full scale food forest
- Trellises and Arbors: These structures provide shade for climbing plants while sheltering others beneath or behind.
- Utilizing Existing Structures: Position your food garden near trees or fences to take advantage of natural shade.
As climate conditions are set to evolve, incorporating shade into vegetable gardens is becoming increasingly important to improve our gardens resilience and the production of food. The strategies above benefit both you and your garden, and when adopted by the community, they contribute to sustainable food systems in an unpredictable climate.
Garden Journaling - Slow down to tune in.
As we move through the year and our gardens evolve, there's something magical about documenting the journey. Garden journaling is an art that enables us to cultivate memories as we cultivate plants. It provides an opportunity to savor the beauty of our outdoor space, connect with it, and understand it. There's nothing more mesmerising than watching a bee meticulously clean pollen from its body and delicately store it in its legs.
Connection - Writing a journal makes you slow down and connect. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, our gardens provide a refuge, a tranquil space where we can reconnect with nature. A garden journal becomes a bridge between the gardener and the garden, offering a canvas to capture the vibrant colours, fragrances, and the symphony of sounds that define each day in the garden. Journals help you appreciate and be inspired by your garden.
Chart Growth - Imagine flipping through the pages of your journal and witnessing the miraculous journey of a tiny seed transforming into a flourishing plant or an abundant crop. Garden journaling allows us to record the growth and development of our plants, serving as a valuable resource for future seasons. It becomes a personalised almanac, offering insights into the timing of blooms, pruning schedules, and the successes (or challenges) of different varieties. This is becoming increasingly more important as our climate changes and moves away from the historical and well documented patterns in many of our much loved resources.
Solace - Gardening is therapeutic, and so is the act of documenting it. Journaling provides an avenue for self-reflection, allowing gardeners to express their ideas, thoughts, feelings, and observations. Whether it's the satisfaction of a successful harvest of the biggest pumpkin, or the resilience of a plant overcoming a heat event, a garden journal becomes a place to celebrate triumphs and learn from the setbacks, which gardens are full of.
Designing Dreams - For those that have big dreams and a flair for design, a garden journal can be a creative outlet. Use it to sketch out new layouts, experiment with color combinations, and plan for future additions. Your journal can evolve into a personalised gardening blueprint, helping you bring your dream garden to life. And to keep you on track when you see a plant sale at the nursery!
Digital Diarising - In the digital age, sharing our gardening experiences has never been easier. Consider starting a garden journaling community, either online or within your neighbourhood. Exchange tips, share photos, and inspire one another to create a network of green enthusiasts dedicated to nurturing their outdoor spaces. 
Tips for Starting Your Garden Journal:
- Choose the Right Journal: Opt for a journal with sturdy, weather-resistant pages that can withstand the elements, but nothing so pretty you’re going to be too scared to start to use it!! Having good quality paper will make a difference if you're going to stick items into it.
- Include Details: Note the date, weather conditions, and any noteworthy observations each time you make an entry. And incorporate sketches, photographs, or even pressed leaves or flowers to add a visual dimension to your journal.
- Make It Personal: Your garden journal is a reflection of your unique gardening journey. Feel free to infuse it with your personality, anecdotes, and even a bit of humour.
- Stay Consistent: Make it a habit to journal regularly, even if it's just a quick update. Consistency will help you track patterns and changes over time. If it becomes a chore, then stop journaling. Wait to be inspired to write again.
Garden journaling is a delightful practice that adds real depth and meaning to our gardening experiences. So, grab your favourite journal, head to the garden, and let the pages of your botanical adventure unfold.