Leaf Canopy to the Rescue

Monica Chien
by Monica Chien
How a giant leaf rescues the young!
Our new home is located on a higher elevation where excruciating heat just feels more intense, even for our plants.
At 8 am, our 3-week-old-Japanese cucumbers started drooping like melting candles.
By 9am, they looked like pathetic little green bats hiding from the scorching sun.
I decided to try making a portable shade to save them. I placed an Ikea giant leaf canopy into a PVC pipe, secured it to an old umbrella stand, spray-painted them green with leftover paint. To make it wind-proof, a green ribbon with snaps at the end was sewn onto the leaf for easy adjustments.
By 11am, my plants have fully recovered!
I know, I know an outdoor umbrella would easily work too, but isn’t this Leaf Canopy more pleasing to the eyes?
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 6 comments
Next