Nate runs Norway Homestead - a property where he grows his own food and tries to rely less on grocery store prices. A greenhouse had been on the list for years. He kept putting it off because he'd watched cheap structures fail and didn't want to go through that twice.
This year he bought the World's Most Popular Polycarbonate Greenhouse. It went up on a hillside, came through one of the worst winters he could remember, and ended up sheltering his ducks before a single tomato plant went in the ground.
From Greenhouse Showroom. Real customer. Real success.
1. Why He Waited
The affordable greenhouses Nate had seen were thin galvanized poles and plastic sheeting - fine until the first real storm. He wanted polycarbonate panels, a proper steel frame, something that would still be standing in ten years. The 10-year warranty on the panels, was part of what made the decision easier.
If you're still in the research phase, 5 things to know before buying your first greenhouse is a good place to start.
2. The Build
The greenhouse arrived on a pallet - roughly 800 lbs of steel frame, hardware, and polycarbonate panels. Nate's site was on a hillside, so he leveled a pad, dug trenches for the ground anchors, and started on the frame. Winter came early and slowed things down. At one point the structure sat half-assembled through a full storm and held without issue.
3. The Winter
One of the coldest, windiest, snowiest winters Nate could remember. The greenhouse came through without damage - the arch shape sheds snow and gives wind nothing flat to catch. It also got used in ways he hadn't planned for: when temperatures dropped hard enough, his ducks moved in.
"I had no idea how great a greenhouse was for keeping animals in a pinch in the wintertime. But that turned out to be really awesome." — Nate
4. Spring
Nate put in raised beds on either side of a mulched walkway and started plants weeks ahead of what outdoor conditions would allow. At the time of filming, outside temperatures were still dropping to 28°F overnight. Inside, his tomatoes and peppers were already established. It stays dry inside regardless of what the ground outside is doing - which matters more than it sounds.
5. The Comparison
In his video, Nate holds a flimsy galvanized-pole structure next to his greenhouse and makes the contrast plain. His take: the only reason it's still standing is that it was never covered in plastic.
"There's a big difference between this building and that one." - Nate
Take a look at our polycarbonate greenhouse collection
Thanks to Nate for sharing his story. If you want to know more watch the full story on Youtube
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a polycarbonate greenhouse handle heavy snow and high winds?
It depends on build quality. Nate's came through one of the hardest winters he'd seen — including a storm while it was only half-assembled. The arch shape sheds snow and gives wind nothing flat to catch. Cheaper tube-steel structures with plastic glazing tend to fail under the same conditions.
Do you need heavy equipment to install one?
No. The anchoring is manual work: a hole at each foot, backfilled, then frame assembly with the included hardware. No concrete or special tools required.
Is a polycarbonate greenhouse worth it for growing your own food?
The main benefit is season extension - earlier starts in spring, longer harvests into fall. Nate was growing inside while outside temperatures were still dropping to 28°F at night. An unexpected bonus: a solid greenhouse works as emergency shelter for animals during cold snaps.
