Shadehouse
A small shadehouse is essential to sow seeds and raise seedlings. The sides need to be completely enclosed by wire and covered in 50% shadecloth. The “roof” should be covered in 50% shadecloth. The bench tops for seedling trays should be metal grating and have excellent drainage (recycled air conditioning grates or security screens work well as bench tops). Roof mounted sprayers can be attached to the roof to water seedlings from above twice a day in the summer months, once a day in the morning during the dry.
Hygiene is very important to stop the spread of diseases. Air flow into the shadehouse will help prevent diseases. The shadehouse needs to be sited in a sunny position away from large trees with a dense canopy.
Use seed raising mix in seedtrays or recycled pots to raise seedlings in the shadehouse. When seedlings are 4 – 5cm high they should be moved to an area where they are watered every day but are in half-sun. This is called “hardening off” because you are preparing your seedlings for planting in the full sun. Harden off your seedlings for a week before planting them in beds.
An example of a shadehouse at Noonkanbah with free-draining bench and overhead watering system.
