By: Bill Rowe
Saturday, 5:21 pm
Today the increasing concerns about chemicals used on our food products is leading more people to construct a lean to greenhouse to grow as much of their food year-round as they can. When most of us think of a greenhouse we think of large plastic covered commercial growing structures or of the neighbor’s glass windowed beauty in their backyard. However, one of the most popular greenhouse options is the lean to greenhouse… or half greenhouse… that attaches to the home or other building.
What is a Lean to Greenhouse?
A lean to greenhouse literally leans up against an existing wall. In days past, the only type of greenhouse people built were lean to greenhouses… most frequently attached to garden walls. Heat from the wall would help to warm the greenhouse through the night. During the day, the wall protected the greenhouse from over heating. Today, we are turning to lean to greenhouses when we have little space for a regular greenhouse.
The common lean to greenhouse is comprised of a roof, a front wall and two end walls. One of the real advantages to a lean to style of greenhouse is that the necessary utilities such as electricity and water are close and easy to access. If you choose, you could place your lean to greenhouse so that you could enter directly from the house. Most lean to greenhouse owners select the style that takes the least amount of space from the yard yet allows the most inside growing room.
The most difficult part of installing lean to greenhouses is the height of attachment to the existing structure. If you have a 2-story home you won’t have any problems. But, with ranch style houses, attachment height can become problematic. Remember to allow enough roof pitch to slough snow and deter leaking; the recommended roof pitch is 2.5 on 12 pitch which in layman’s terms simply means for every 12” of roof slanting from the house there needs to be at least a 2.5” drop.
Building Your Own Lean To Greenhouse
You could build your own lean to, but there are many ready-to-install lean to greenhouse kits available for $250 and up. Lean to kits make it very simple… they come complete with all the pieces and parts you need and they take no time at all to assemble. Although you may still find it cheaper to source all the parts yourself and and use a good set of greenhouse plans.
One important issue that will need to be addressed is the base- what sort of base do you intend to place the lean to greenhouse on? Some owners decide to let the greenhouse sit on the ground but it is advisable to put your greenhouse on a base to hold it in a stable, proper position. If you buy a kit, most likely the base will be included. If you need a base, you will find many to choose from online at very reasonable prices.
Many owners put their lean to on a patio or deck. If your decking or patio surface has any gaps in it, you should place either plywood or some other material that will prevent air from flowing in through the bottom.
A lean to greenhouse is the perfect solution for those who have little space but a desire to grow their own organic produce.
Here is what to do now…
…if you are even thinking that you want to build a small greenhouse, then you need to click the link below and review Bill Keenes’ Building a Greenhouse Plans program. This program will teach you everything you need to know about greenhouses and on top of that, provide you with clear instructions and blueprints so that you can build your own greenhouse.
There is enough information there for you to make an honest evaluation of the product and your goals.
