Milk crate as a "shade cloth" alternative?

[Ostrodamus]

I live in the desert, and we have no shade from the sun in our garden besides the fence (at certain hours). I had my entire crops of cabbage and lettuce die last season because of the punishing heat and sun. This year I was thinking of using spare milk crates (we have lots of them) as a midday sun blocker. My thoughts were that I could leave them exposed to full morning sun, and then place the milk crate over them to provide "dapple sun" for the afternoon. Is this a thing? Could this be a thing? I don't anticipate air flow will be an issue, as the wind sweeps through, and the crates have plenty of holes in them.

Thoughts?

 

[Ostrodamus]

Update. Since nobody answered, I went ahead and tried it out. They work great for proving both shade and protection from wind/hail. This mid-morning, I noticed my watermelon leaves were drooping in the scorching sun (already in the high 80s) so I put milk crates over them and came back to check a few hours later. The leaves had perked up even though the temp had risen to the low 90s. Milk crates it is, for now.

 

[MowgFace]

Anything that can block out portions of the sun and wind can be helpful if it achieves the desired effect.

I opt for Shade cloth and small posts to set up miniature hoop houses with varying %UV cloths depending on what is under them.

I have a irrational love for milk crates so, I am in favor of this idea since you have them lying around. Nice work!