A new method of shade gardening!

Big agility trial this weekend (my club hosting, I am Trial Secretary) Outdoors, just outside of the city - Hot and sunny until - in typical Calgary weather - a big thunderstorm blew in late Sunday afternoon and we had to clear the field for everybody's safety and then call off the last couple of classes.
We had bought some of these big beach umbrellas to use for shade for ring crew and although I got them down before the worst happened they were wet so this morning when I unloaded the car I put them in the only place in the yard where I could spread them out - my veggie garden. Looks neat doesn''t it?

I actually saw this done last year in a little south facing veggie garden - used the umbrellas when it was too hot!

I'd like to be under an umbrella right about now.... this heat! It can end any time now

I concur, MG99. Been around 40 C for the past three days and no real rain in site. Woe is me. Enough is enough. Thunder storm in the forecast tonight, but I doubt it will bring much precipitation, just the threat of forest fires. But maybe the clouds would cool it down a little for sleeping. Fingers crossed here.

Don

Those are great! A while ago I saw a pic of a Japanese garden with many Japanese bamboo parasols throughout the garden. They were thought of as functional to stop the plants from burning.

I predict a new trend. LOL ! Just think of the fun we could have with colour ... the colour echo possibilities with plants and umbrellas!

So, fancy, are you going to keep them? LOL

Sandy

Sandy: they belong to my agility club but I store a lot of the small items in my basement so they dont get dragged back and forth so I can use them whenever I want! We only need them 2-3 times a year.

Wonderful idea there........I've been dropped off at our veggie patch sans transportation a few times and after awhile I would have been very grateful for one or two of those above me. The prairie sun (and across Canada I'm sure) certainly has had its' furnace working overtime lately.

Carol
I have been using my umbrella too!. I don't have the nice "stick in the ground" one I have to lug the big metal base around. It was the only way to be in the garden the last few weeks. Doesn't it seem funny--- trying to reduce the heat for a change?
Ann

Ann: these stick in the ground beach umbrellas in my pic are all over the place here - I got mine at London Drugs and Liquidation world. Only $5-$6!

carol

Looks much better than my lawn chairs positioned to shade transplants in my beds. Or pieces of plywood that blow over onto the plants.

Hello everyone. Re: the umbrellas, isn't there a problem with wind? I would be chasing them all over the yard and into the yard across the road! LOL! By the way, you guys finally succeeded in sending that heat this way. I am melting today. Heat index at 102 because of 80 percent humidity. Hope it does not last long, or I won't! No A/C! BAM

Bam you and the rest of Eastern Canada, without AC, have my condolences!!! I was so happy to see it leave here (but unfortunately someone's gotta get it).

For those that may be curious about what their heat index is (we were studying it, the thermometer and the humidity level very closely when the AC went down at work here for 12 days).........

Almost frightening, isn't it? Well, I am trying to accept it as it comes, because I will be whining of the bitter cold too soon!!! It has cooled off quite a bit, Thank God, and lately it has been nice and cool at night. Great for sleeping. No complaints right now about the weather. BAM

echoes, are you alright in Manitoba? I was referring to the twister today?? goodness me...Elaine

Thanks for asking Elaine. We're just fine. It wasn't close to us. I think all the Manitoba contingent missed this one. Very thankful.