Greenhouses help you extend your growing season so you can grow more of your own food. If you prefer flowers and other plants, they’re great for that, too! Plus, you’ll save money if you grow some of your own food, especially if it’s organic. So, if you’re one of the thousands of people who’d love to install a greenhouse but don’t know how or where, we’ve partnered with SW Greenhouses in the UK to bring you this post. It’s specifically about a lean to greenhouse, the benefits it offers, and where to place it.
What Are Lean To Greenhouses?
A lean to greenhouse refers to a type of greenhouse built up against the side of another structure. The lean to greenhouse has only one sloped roof. It has three sides of its own, and uses the side of another structure for the fourth wall.
- Lean to greenhouses can be made of metal, plastic or vinyl (commonly referred to as polyvinyl chloride or PVC). The plastic materials used in building lean to greenhouses are usually coated with various UV protective materials to ensure the safety of the people who use them and so they last a long time.
- Lean to greenhouses are small, versatile buildings that can easily adapt to various climates and weather conditions. They work well in various environments and landscapes. Like fully-built greenhouses, they’re also able to withstand extreme weather conditions.
- Wondering what kinds of materials to use, and what sizes and shapes are available? Swgreenhouses.co.uk has a nice range here of lean to greenhouses for you to choose from.
Where to Place A Lean To Greenhouse?
Now that you know what lean to greenhouses are, it’s time to learn where you should place yours. Here are three options
- Over An Existing Porch Or Near Your Kitchen If you’re eager to grow more vegetables and herbs to eat, installing your lean to greenhouse near your kitchen makes a lot of sense. No matter what the weather, you can dash out to your greenhouse to gather herbs and greens or pick cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and other vegetables that can be grown in a compact space.
- Adjacent to Your Deck or Shed Accessibility is key. Place your lean to greenhouse in a spot you can easily get to.
- NOT Under a Tree! Never install your lean to greenhouse directly under tall trees because of the following reasons:
- Trees will cast shade, encouraging growth of green algae.
- Tall trees block light, and their falling leaves and branches may cause damage to your greenhouse and block guttering.
- Also, tree roots could upset the greenhouse’s foundation and make planting into the beds tricky.
- In addition, honeydew from insects coming from the tree’s foliage can make the plastic or glass material of your greenhouse sticky and hard to remove.
NOTE: Position Your Lean To Greenhouse South-Facing
When placing your lean to greenhouse, take stock of how much natural light it will receive. It will be shaded by the structure it leans on for at least part of the day. You want the supporting side of the structure to be on its north side, so as much natural light as possible bathes the greenhouse from the south. Plan to supplement with lighting, and potential some heat, especially in colder climates.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many ways to position your lean to greenhouse in your property. You can install your greenhouse over an existing porch or near the kitchen, or against an existing shed or garage. Just make sure to avoid installing it under tall trees to avoid mold growth due to light limitations and pest infestation. Also, it’s best to position your lean to greenhouse facing south for maximum sunlight exposure.
You can get more tips for building a greenhouse here.
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