Great information on how to build a small Greenhouses
I was recently chatting to a friend who happens to live in a small townhouse with an even smaller garden, and he was reflecting that it was such a pity that he could not put a greenhouse in his garden, which measures 15ft x 20ft. He was quite surprised when I told him that he could, indeed, erect a small greenhouse in such an area. It is just a matter of doing a little research to find the appropriate kit.
Essentially there are two types of small greenhouse, the lean-to and the detached. After just a little research I was able to find a lean-to greenhouse measuring just 2ft x 4ft.and 6ft high, however, this is very small - maybe large enough for a couple of tomato plants. I would recommend the minimum floor area of a lean-to greenhouse to be 6ft x 9ft. Before going out and committing yourself to such a purchase it is essential to do a little planning at home.
For example, where are you going to place the greenhouse. In the Northern Hemisphere is is preferable to have your greenhouse where it is getting the best sunlight in the morning through to midday. Essentially this means that if you are purchasing a lean-to greenhouse, it should be erected on a South or Southeast facing wall. This will not only give the best of the sunlight but also give protection from the cold North side by having a permanent wall there.
The locating of a freestanding greenhouse is going to depend on the features already present in your garden. It is a good idea, if there is one present, to locate the greenhouse with a large tree on it's West side. This will ensure that there is some protection from the strong late afternoon summer sun. Some thought should be given to how you plan to heat the greenhouse in Winter months - how is electricity going to be routed, how are you going to connect a water supply, for example.
To sum up - no garden is too small for a greenhouse. In fact, even if you have no garden at all, it is still possible to have a greenhouse. How? Well, the smallest of greenhouses can be attached to the outside of a window - bolted to the outside wall of an apartment, for example. Once again, make sure that it is a South or Southeast facing wall for the best results. Access is gained by simply opening the window.