That heatwave in Phoenix ruined my tomato plans, now I need shade ideas

So I went to Phoenix for work last July and came back to my balcony where 4 of 6 tomato plants looked like crispy bacon. My setup was full sun from noon to 6pm, temps hit 112 that week, and I didn't think about reflective heat off the building wall. Now I'm trying to rig up a shade cloth system but I'm stuck on the best way to attach it without drilling into the rental walls. Anyone in hot climates got a cheap DIY shade setup that actually holds up in wind?

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1 Comment

green.tyler14d ago

Honestly maybe just let them burn out and replant in October when the heat breaks. Phoenix summers are brutal no matter what you rig up, and anything you attach to a rental wall is gonna look janky or blow away in a monsoon storm anyway. Plus you could get a bunch of cheap potted peppers or something that actually loves the heat instead of fighting the sun.