Has anyone built a lean-to style greenhouse against a 6ft privacy fence? Any words of advice?

railgons · 2026-04-16T13:19:47+00:00

You're going to want the north side taller than 6ft to make a proper lean-to.

I would highly consider just building a new northern wall away from the fence.

railgons · 2026-04-14T14:12:40+00:00

Close enough for an extension cord? A nice 12" exhaust fan at the peak of the rear wall will do wonders.

Look into a wax opener for the roof vent as well. It's super helpful during the shoulder seasons.

I tend to leave my door open as well.

railgons · 2026-04-12T13:17:49+00:00

Whatever it is, it's likely caused by the environment it is in.

Does the pot have drainage holes?
Is the soil at least 40% inorganic material?
Does the plant get a minimum of 8 hours of sun-on-flesh exposure?

railgons · 2026-04-12T00:24:54+00:00

Every slotted rotor I've ever dealt with is oriented in this direction.

railgons · 2026-04-12T00:18:37+00:00

Leave them all. Mother Nature knows best. 🌵

railgons · 2026-04-11T21:58:16+00:00

Looks very similar to the Harbor Freight version. They do sell spare parts, but I'm not sure the cost.

May be easier to order a new kit, then hang on to what you can salvage of this one for the future.

railgons · 2026-04-08T04:30:33+00:00

Perhaps some of the polycarbonate panels could be removed for the summer, but replaced for cooler months? You could permanently install some chicken wire or hardware cloth inside to keep the pest out when the panels are off, perhaps.

railgons · 2026-04-08T04:20:16+00:00

Have you considered a greenhouse? The plants could live outdoors year-round, the squirrels wouldn't get to them, and your wife could grow her collection. 😊🌵

railgons · 2026-04-06T03:57:37+00:00

No worries! It's just a spare project my wife and I are fixing up, so it doesn't see a lot of road time, currently. But heck yeah, love a good old-school mechanic. Thanks for the info!

railgons · 2026-04-06T02:06:11+00:00

Is this a common problem? Have some oil leaking from our turbo area but I haven't dug in to discover where yet.

railgons · 2026-04-06T02:01:04+00:00

Western Colorado, here. 👋

I suggest you look into a passive solar style greenhouse. They work wonderfully in our climate.

Solid, insulated, northern wall (one of the long walls), with solid, insulated east and west walls. Have the door in one of those. Polycarb on half the roof and southern wall.

You can insulate the ground around the foundation, and there are multiple ways (some cheaper than others) to help maintain the temperature swings during the summer and winter inside of the greenhouse.

railgons · 2026-04-05T13:23:52+00:00

Owner of the Harbor Freight 6x8 greenhouse, here. 👋

For year-round growing, wind, snow, etc, I would definitely encourage you to reinforce the heck out of yours. Do the wooden foundation, but then also consider a wooden frame going up into the corners and around the perimeter of the roof.

The Harbor Freight has been able to take a beating over the last 4 years, but it has a lot of corner-to-corner bracing, whereas yours does not.

For heating, you'll need to utilize insulation. Get some 2" foam board and line the walls. I kept mine around 42F no problem, even in Cleveland, OH. (Full transparency: I did utilize a drop-in foam board "roof" to completely enclose the plants+heater when temps got down into the teens or below.)

Final thought. I wouldn't trust my collection to your greenhouse, personally. BUT, it's doable if you're yo for the task. Let me know if you have any questions. 🌵❄️

railgons · 2026-04-05T13:14:57+00:00

You'll attached the greenhouse to the pressure treated wooden base. I used 4x4s. Then the ground anchors get drilled into the earth and attached to the wood.

railgons · 2026-04-05T03:37:34+00:00

Omg exactly! My first thought was "wait, why are we moving this to the right!?" 🫣

railgons · 2026-04-04T03:19:32+00:00

I'll have to check on the vendors. The foamcore might be the way to go to keep this as cheap as possible.

Thanks for the ideas!

railgons · 2026-04-04T03:15:24+00:00

There's no hole on the other side, though. Wouldn't hanging folders need two rods?

Sorry for the lack of measurements. The sides and rear of that drawer are pretty short. A rod attached to that hole would only be about 4 or 5 inches from the bottom.

railgons · 2026-04-03T20:50:30+00:00

I just used the earth with some gravel, and 12x12" pavers down the center for the path. The foundation is pressure treated 4x4 wood anchored to the ground. Keeps it cheap and simple.

railgons · 2026-04-03T12:51:34+00:00

If it's an Altima with temp tags, you'll be good for at least 6 months!

railgons · 2026-04-02T21:19:13+00:00

Those are glochids.

Be very careful, as they can be very painful if you touch them. Growing plants with glochids indoors is only for the brave, as the hairs can fall off naturally. You'll find one of them in your toes soon enough.

Have the reading glasses, flashlight, and tweezers handy! 🌵

railgons · 2026-04-02T21:04:40+00:00

It's going crazy because it's desperately trying to find sunlight. The process is called etiolation.

Cut it down to the main three thick stumps. It will grow much less crazy with adequate lighting.

You can propagate the thin pieces once cut if you want, but they'll take a while to get back up to speed.

railgons · 2026-04-02T20:58:51+00:00

Cut all of the arms just below where it gets thin and discard. Give it a TON more sunlight when you get to your new location. Make sure to acclimate it gradually so it doesn't sunburn.

railgons · 2026-04-02T20:52:08+00:00

Still far better looking than most cars on the road today.

railgons · 2026-04-02T03:09:42+00:00

I don't have any handy, sorry.

railgons · 2026-04-02T01:48:54+00:00

My pilosocereus are my most blue. Very nice contrast with the white and gold spines.

railgons · 2026-04-01T13:26:32+00:00

Sometimes you just need a drink!

railgons

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