Attached greenhouses: portable or permanent structures
Most hobbyists or gardeners are familiar with portable kits that provide seedlings in growing containers that need to be watered and covered with plastic.
There are many different sizes of portable greenhouses or you can choose to make your own. Do it yourself people get very creative as every gardener has different needs.
The simplest portable greenhouse is a seed or seedling placed in the ground and an empty plastic container for drinks is placed on this seedling. Moisture for young growth is created by the sun which produces the moist mist seen inside the bottle. The plastic bottle supplies water and protects the young plant from insects.
The purpose of a greenhouse is to house plants and seedlings in an environment free of insects and to provide the proper amount of moisture and heat for their growth or propagation.
It can also be used as a hospital for diseased plants that need to be separated and re-established. This is usually a temporary situation, as the plants will be transplanted at the appropriate time into the main vegetable or flower garden.
After using several types of store-bought or home-built projects that are too small, it may be time to consider the next step toward a larger portable shed. These can be purchased or made by you.
The lightweight portable shed is made with aluminum or PVC tubing and covered with your choice of polycarbonate, shade cloth, or polyethylene film. This structure is attached to the side of a stable supporting wall which can be the house, garage, shed, barn, or other support system.
The attached greenhouse is usually placed on the south side of a building to take advantage of the warm sun. The portable unit can be easily removed or disassembled for relocation when the seasons change to follow the sun.
This style of greenhouse can also be made permanent; never to be moved. Construction materials include wood, steel, aluminum or plastic. The type of pitched roof and the three faces will determine the types of roofs.
Basic decisions before building:
- To lease
- land area
- size and design
- pitched roof type
- Construction plans
- Personal construction skills.
- Aesthetic value
- Construction materials
- power suppliers
- Access road to carry heavy supplies
The advantages of this half building is that it is not as expensive as a stand-alone building. Utilities are easily accessible, especially when they are attached to the house or a shed that has outlets and plumbing.
Water is available for washing, cleaning, and watering the plants, and electricity is useful for occasional late-night visits.
