Remove any debris or vegetation that will be a problem during construction or future use, and grade the soil to a suitable elevation. If you are going to leave an earth floor in the addition, compacting the soil probably will not be necessary. Make sure the floor material will withstand expected weather conditions year-round. for the supporting posts. Check the placement before, during, and after you dig. The distance between posts depends on the load of the rafters, roof, and any future snow load. Check your local building code for guidelines. Measure the distance between the wall to which you will fasten the lean-to and the starting corner. You can start by pulling string lines along the planned addition. Use the 3-4-5 rule to confirm the outer corners are square before you dig the holes. If the outer wall is not parallel to the shed, the rafters will be difficult to place. Secure each post as follows: Plumb two adjacent sides of the post to confirm the post is level. Secure those two sides with temporary diagonal cross bracing, using two 1" x 4" boards. Drive a wooden stake into the ground next to each board. Fasten each 1" x 4" board to a stake and to the post using easily removed nails or screws. Once the end posts are in place, repeat with the intermediate posts. For best results, mix a "post mix" concrete and pour it into the post hole. Leave the bracing in place for at least 24 hours or until the concrete sets, then remove it. If your lean to is small and your area does not experience strong wind or severe storms, you may be able to backfill the post holes with dirt instead. This line will determine the bearing height of the rafters. Start by marking the end posts, and use either a plain line or a chalk line to mark the intermediate posts. Draw a notch about 1-1/2" (about 4 cm) deep into your post. Use a circular saw set to a 1-1/2" (about 4 cm) depth to cut into the post at the base of the notch. Set the circular saw to maximum depth. Measure out 1-1/2" (about 4 cm) on the top side of your post and cut into the top of the post on the same side as you made the first cut. When your saw blade meets the first cut, the wood block should fall off, leaving the notch for your nailers. If necessary, finish the cut with a hand saw or a reciprocating blade saw. Repeat the process with each post. If you choose to, you may simply nail directly into the side of the post, but doing so places all the weight on your fasteners. You could also use metal hangers or brackets to attach the top beam or plate to the posts, using heavy gauge TECO nails. If the nailer is not long enough to span the total length of your shed, make sure any joints are set against a post to ensure maximum bearing potential for the nailer. Nail the nailer into place, making sure the spacing between your posts remains correct. Remember to nail everything solidly as you install it, so you will not overlook a critical connection before moving to the subsequent step in the project.

Summary: Lay out the area within the footprint of your addition. Dig your post holes Drive each end post into a hole with a sledgehammer. Backfill the post holes with concrete. Use a line level or builder's level to mark a bench elevation (a reference grade) on each post. Notch the top of your posts so the rafter nailer or rafter supporting joist will rest on the notch. Set the nailer on the notches. Attach any purlins you plan to use on the outboard side of your lean-to.

Peonies are incredible plants, but they require deep root development before they can bloom. This means that fully-bloomed peonies will die if you plant them without giving the roots time to develop. Purchase peony roots in the fall so that you can plant them in 2-8 weeks before the first frost of the season. This will give the plants plenty of time to settle into the soil. Peonies actually need a cold winter to grow and bloom. If you plant them in the spring or summer before exposing them to a cold winter, they may never grow. Peonies don't do well when they're transplanted to new locations. Take particular care when selecting a location for your flowers so that you get it right the first time. If you live in a slightly warmer part of the world, get tree peonies. They only require 100-300 hours of cold weather a year to adequately grow. You can't grow peonies where you live if you don't regularly experience near-freezing temperatures in the winter. Peonies require a lot of direct sunlight to reach maturity. Select a part of your garden that isn't covered or under shade to ensure that your plants have plenty of access to the sun. Peonies will tolerate a little shade, but putting them under a tree or awning is a surefire way to keep your flowers from blooming. Peonies typically need 6-8 hours of sun a day. You can grow peonies in a pot indoors, but peonies require a lot of sun and a lot room to grow. It is extremely difficult to keep peonies alive in an indoor pot and is not recommended. If you do want to plant peonies indoors, use a pot that is at least 1ft (30cm) deep and 1ft (30cm) wide for each plant. If you're keeping your flowers indoors, put them next to an east-facing window so that they have adequate exposure to sunlight throughout the day. Peony roots will grow deep and wide. These flowers do not like to compete with the roots of other plants. Select a location in your yard where there are no other nearby plants or obstructions. Ideally, there should be no other plant or tree within 34ft (0.911.22m) of each of your peonies. If you're planting peonies that have already begun to bloom or flower, plant them in the early spring to ensure that they fully bloom before winter comes. Don't stick the peonies in a totally isolated area, though. It's good to have some shrubs, trees, or buildings nearby to break up the wind and protect your flowers from strong gusts. Peonies do best in well-draining soil. Avoid planting peonies in parts of your yard where water tends to pool or settle. If you're using your native soil, look for sandy, looser sections of soil. If you don't have the right type of soil in your yard, buy a well-draining planting soil from your local gardening store and use it to supplement the soil in your yard. Peonies can do fine in clay soil so long as it isn't too compacted. A mixture of bark, peat moss, and perlite will create a simple well-draining mix.
Summary: Purchase peony roots in the early fall before the first frost. Select a part of your yard or garden that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. Avoid planting your peonies near any other trees, flowers, or shrubs. Look for a section of your yard with well-draining soil.