Shade net, also called shade cloth or nursery net, is bought on two numbers that are often confused: shade percentage and GSM. Getting both right helps your tomatoes stay productive and your net last longer in strong equatorial sun.
Shade % is about light, GSM is about the net
Shade percentage describes how much sunlight the net blocks. GSM (grams per square metre) describes the weight of the fabric, which relates to how much material is in the net and how it holds up to sun and wind. Two nets can both say 75% shade and still have very different GSM, so always state both when you ask for a quotation.
Start from the crop and the altitude
- Seedlings and nurseries usually take more shade than fruiting crops.
- Fruiting tomatoes need good light to set and ripen fruit, so growers often choose a lighter shade, and the right figure depends on altitude, temperature and variety.
- Hot lowland and coastal sites may justify a higher shade % than cool highland sites.
Ask your agronomist or greenhouse supplier to confirm the exact percentage for your site and crop. We make the net to the figure they give you.
Colour, edge finish and fixing
Colour changes how the net looks and behaves under light. Edge finish and eyelets matter for how the net is fixed to your frame. Tell us the structure you are covering and we can advise on edge and fixing details.
What to send us
For a complete quotation, send: shade %, GSM, colour, width, length, quantity and your destination port (Mombasa for Kenya). Standard green net has an MOQ of 1 MT and a lead time of 7–10 days. Other colours have an MOQ of 5 MT, and custom specifications take 15–20 days. Free samples are available, and you pay only the courier.