Sun exposure is always a concern in South Georgia, regardless of the season. At Rudy’s Happy Patch Market and the surrounding gardens, staff look for ways to keep sun exposure at a moderate level, year-round.

That goal is particularly challenging in late summer, in areas such as the greenhouses and the exposed arbor in Happy Patch Gardens. One solution that Jeff Williams found was the use of heavier-weight shade cloths. In the northern greenhouses, for example, blooming plants and delicate ferns benefit from additional shade. The drip system for watering also helps out.

Pictured is one of the greenhouses as it provides adequate shade for late summer’s healthy plants