A lean to greenhouse lets you grow lush, beautiful vegetables and herbs year-round in a space that’s easily accessible from your house or garage. Typically, they’re a much cheaper alternative to freestanding greenhouses. They’re also ideal for spaces with limited wall space.

Most are constructed of a simple aluminum frame and toughened glass, although some Victorian-era painted wooden structures can be found in the market as well. You should plan on supplementing a lean-to greenhouse with additional lighting and potentially heating, especially in colder climates.

Building a Lean-To Greenhouse: A Practical Guide for DIY Enthusiasts

They’re best placed against a solid structure (such as a shed, garage or your home) to provide a sturdy foundation. However, keep in mind that the supporting building may shadow the structure for part of the day limiting sunlight exposure. Therefore, it’s important to choose a south-facing placement for maximum sun exposure.

Lean-to greenhouses are ideal for tight backyard spaces that don’t have room for a stand alone greenhouse or that are blocked by tall trees, fences or other structures. They’re also an affordable option to convert a screened porch or back patio into your own personal garden and vegetable conservatory.

They’re designed to complement your existing home and are adaptable in design, so you can customize them to match the height of your eaves. They feature near-indestructible twinwall or crystal-clear polycarbonate roof panels to protect against harmful UV rays. Several roof vents and a high quality hinged door allow for ventilation and control of heat, humidity and airflow. They can withstand winds up to 47 mph and snow loads up to 15.4 pounds per square foot.