How can I block the sun on a second story deck?

A large patio umbrella in a stand should help.

You can find patio umbrellas that angle - you can then move them between you and the sun. There are also lightweight gazebo type things that you could set up up there - just be sure to anchor them down somehow so they don't blow away

Yep, I agree, a large patio umbrella is probably your best bet. You could attempt to add "posts" with big bases to hang a sail too.

Is there room for a deck tent? https://amzn.to/3jucyA2

they have sails that you attach that blocks the sun here is info for you

https://www.homedepot.com/c/ai/deck-shade-ideas/9ba683603be9fa5395fab901d7af4385

I can't copy and paste photos of the sun sails but look on homedepot.com for sun sails they are easy to install and help a lot

Thanks everyone. Great tips!!

I have seen people anchor sails to three or four posts that were anchored in cement that was placed in buckets.

Patio umbrella

The challenge with sail shades is the mounting. Finding the correct type of hardware that is both suitable for the material that it is being installed into, and robust enough not to pull out in the wind is often not easy.

Hi! Have you tried shrubs? You can grow them in containers.

You can also get some long narrow planters and put sometall bamboo or plastic trellises in them, then add some hardy vine or blooms like bougainvillea, morning glory or tall succulent like a pencil tree.

You can make your own watering system using a couple 2 litre soda bottles and purchase a spike specific for that purpose, or hang it an put a straw in the cap bent 90 degrees so the water continuously drips onto the soil. Check YouTube

You could also make a garden wall using 2 litre plastic bottles, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9vN2eudWcQ&t=104s

https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk00KPIq4c-SdKdApktIo63AmZVSKzQ:1625025178107&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=picture+of+deck+planter+boxes+with+trellis&client=opera&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwijqvfDur7xAhVFuZ4KHc9nCL8QjJkEegQIBhAC&biw=1326&bih=627

Can you put up a screen like people use for dressing?

We picked up an umbrella at Fred Meyer. They were much cheaper then Lowes and the one from Freddies also angles. So nice to be able to track the sun and keep it off people.

Their big umbrealla was less then $70.

That seems like a good solution plus when you move you can take it with you and use it at your new place.

THANKS FOR YOUR GREAT SUGGESTIONS.

A removable umbrella or several might do the trick if you can't attach vertical posts anywhere for shade sails. Be aware that buckets filled with concrete on your roof could tip, roll or get tossed off, or cause damage if an umbrella is embedded in it and the wind whips up.

Umbrella,or get a 12 by 12 pop up tent and put that up

Hello, Use a folding Screen or a sheet draped across the window or Use a cling film for the purpose. Best wishes