Maggie Connell is a homesteader who, along with her family, grows much of their own food and raises poultry. About seven years ago, she installed a 20 ft by 12 ft double-walled polycarbonate greenhouse to help extend the growing season in response to increasingly unpredictable and extreme weather patterns.

The greenhouse is now central to her food production system, allowing her to reliably grow greens in early spring and later transition to heat-loving crops such as basil, sweet potatoes, okra, and melons. She uses raised beds, straw mulching, soaker hoses, and additional hoop coverings to regulate temperature, retain moisture, and protect crops through both cold snaps and intense summer heat.

Maggie describes the greenhouse as a key adaptation tool in a changing climate, particularly for managing increasingly unstable “shoulder seasons.” While the structure cost approximately $5,000 and was difficult to assemble due to poor instructions, she notes that careful planning and research are essential for anyone considering a similar installation.

Over time, the system has contributed significantly to household food production, alongside 32 raised beds and broader preservation practices, reducing grocery costs and increasing food self-sufficiency.

Challenges have included frost heave affecting the structure, overheating in summer, and the need to adapt planting strategies for changing conditions. She has since added shade cloth, improved airflow, and adjusted crop choices accordingly.

Maggie also highlights pest management, occasional hand pollination, and ongoing experimentation as part of the learning process. She emphasizes that while the greenhouse has been highly rewarding—especially in successfully growing crops like sweet potatoes—broader access to information and resources would help more people adopt similar systems for climate resilience.