There are many challenges to consider when planning the ideal modern homestead garden: crop failure, limited time, limited water, limited resources, a limited growing season, and proper protection. Most of those can be solved with the addition of a Growing Dome greenhouse.
Nestled in a canyon just south of Pagosa Springs along the Blanco River sits the quaint little cabin of Joe and Nancy Drake. Not far from their cabin, right in their backyard, a 22’ Growing Dome stands full of life. A welcome contrast amid the stark white blanket of snow.
Today the community venture known as The Geothermal Greenhouse Partnership, Inc, consists of three 42’ Growing Dome greenhouses run on geothermal power, a native plants garden, a rotary club garden, and an amphitheater along the San Juan Riverwalk. The greenhouses use geothermal energy from nearby natural hot springs. This renewable energy source helps to maintain a consistent temperature within the greenhouse, allowing for the growth of a variety of plants year-round in USDA hardiness zone 5a.
Deborah Rich and Mark Oppegard built their 26' Growing Dome in southwest Colorado to keep the critters and deer out of their garden and protect them from fluctuating weather conditions. In just a few short months, they have built raised beds, created a thriving pond environment, and implemented an age-old gardening practice called hugelkultur in the greenhouse.
Every Growing Dome greenhouse kit comes with a mini climate battery of sorts that we refer to as the Undersoil Ventilation System, previously known as the central air system or undersoil heating & cooling system. A climate battery is a ground-to-air heating system made up of a series of underground tubing that circulates air several feet below the soil's surface. The circulating air helps regulate temperature and moisture.
Cooke City might be a town of only 140 residents, but there is nothing small about it. Located between Yellowstone National Park and the Beartooth Mountains in hardiness zone 4a, this quaint school is no stranger to big mountain weather. In fact, Cooke City has been referred to as the snowiest town in Montana, averaging 207 inches of snow per year. So you can imagine the disbelief had by many when Lara Belice, Cooke City schools only teacher, poised the idea of year-round gardening.
One of the values Growing Spaces holds most dear is helping those without access to fresh, healthy food sources. According to the USDA, the current rate of food insecurity is 10.5% of all households in the US. That means 13.8 million people in this country are without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. and beyond to alleviate food insecurity challenges through education, community outreach, and donations.
Imagine yourself in Canada's cold, harsh winter, where fresh food is scarce during many months of the year. Now imagine yourself walking out of the cold into a lush Growing Dome oasis where the air is warm and the fresh food is flourishing. It almost seems impossible, right? Well, it’s not! The not-for-profit Green Iglu, formerly known as Growing North, is making the impossible possible by bringing fresh food sources to communities across Canada.
Alycia worked with her husband Lou at Belle Valley School District #119 for over 20 years as the elementary school’s science teacher and dome manager. At Belle Valley, Alycia fell for more than just Lou. She also fell in love with the school's 33’ Growing Dome Greenhouse, where she shared her love of gardening and passion for science with hundreds of students over the years.
In 2017, they took their first step towards bringing farming back to their community by building a 42' Growing Dome Greenhouse. The Dome provides food for the cafeteria, attracts many new people, and acts as classroom space for the campus farm program. Since then, the Growing Dome has been referred to as the beacon on the hillside.
The last time we caught up with Jeff and his puppy Theo was in December of 2020, not long after he planted his first round of crops. We are excited to jump back in one year later and tell you a little about the changes and improvements Jeff has made since then.
Like many in our Growing Dome community, Laurel and Will Biedermann’s Growing Dome adventure started with a dream. A dream for a more sustainable, self-sufficient lifestyle. In 2016 Laurel and Will retired from city life in Colorado Springs and relocated to the small mountain town of Coaldale, Colorado, to begin their self-sufficient journey.
The last time we caught up with Jeff and his puppy Theo was in December of 2020, not long after he planted his first round of crops. We are excited to jump back in one year later and tell you a little about the changes and improvements Jeff has made since then.
Every year the seniors at the Colorado School of Mines participate in a Capstone Design Project. In the fall of 2020, Marla, Christine, Hannah, Juliana, Andrea, Micah, and Zoe took on the Mines Greenhouse Capstone project. They were met with the challenge to establish a “campus greenhouse that will supply local organic produce to Mines students and Mines Market. The team rose to the challenge raising over $7,000 for the project and splitting the solution into two parts. The first part is raised outdoor garden beds that serve as a community garden space where students can rent plots and grow food. The second part is a 22’ Growing Dome better known by students as “Mines Tiny Greenhouse.”
In spring, early high temperatures are a huge benefit--especially in our mountain location with a short growing season. But as spring turns into summer, the increasing heat in the dome can turn our sanctuary into an oven unless it’s managed correctly. Over the years, we’ve learned how to adapt our growing practices, our plant choices, and even our plant locations to make the most of summer heat and provide much-needed shade for the water tank.
You might ask yourself how someone who was "never really was a gardener" found herself with not one but two greenhouses. Well, according to Kate, the answer was simple, "peas." They didn't have enough room to grow all of the peas they wanted (10 pea plants) and other varieties of fruits and vegetables to eat.
Being a gardener in Colorado is tricky. Especially at high altitude (7,600 ft) in Bayfield, where amateur gardeners Bob and Radel Mckibben have made their home. If it is not wind or hail destroying their outside garden, it's critters and cold weather. That is until 2020, when they fell in love with a Growing Dome greenhouse after hearing of it from a friend and taking a tour in person—deciding to purchase a 26' greenhouse kit as a 50th-anniversary gift for each other.
Like many in our Growing Dome community, Laurel and Will Biedermann’s Growing Dome adventure started with a dream. A dream for a more sustainable, self-sufficient lifestyle. In 2016 Laurel and Will retired from city life in Colorado Springs and relocated to the small mountain town of Coaldale, Colorado, to begin their self-sufficient journey.
In spring, early high temperatures are a huge benefit--especially in our mountain location with a short growing season. But as spring turns into summer, the increasing heat in the dome can turn our sanctuary into an oven unless it’s managed correctly. Over the years, we’ve learned how to adapt our growing practices, our plant choices, and even our plant locations to make the most of summer heat and provide much-needed shade for the water tank.
Mardell Gunn and her partner, Mark Kistler, aka Diz, had been gardening in Haines, Alaska, using standard hoop houses for several years. In 2016, they searched for a polycarbonate structure that could withstand heavy snow loads and humid summers while providing a protected environment to grow fresh heat-loving vegetables that can't be grown successfully outside. Specifically, tomatoes. That's when the internet led them to a 26' Growing Dome.
The above-ground pond included with our greenhouse kits creates an optimal opportunity for growth. -- It aids the growth of your plants in your raised beds, acting as the greenhouse's primary source of thermal mass, but it can also foster the growth of aquatic plants & fish. It can even promote the growth of a peaceful environment with soothing sounds and art.
Retirement, and the past year at home, has allowed Udgar and Puja to slow down and experience the joy of their Growing Dome® as a place of sanctuary from a Growing Dome® owner’s perspective as opposed to that of busy business owners.
Along the border of New York and Connecticut in the Northwest Hills, there is an “intentionally small” school. The Marvelwood School in Kent, Connecticut, is a school for grades 9-12 who are inspired to find their passions through hands-on experiences and where gardening is considered an “essential skill that enriches lives.”
Homesteading is a dream for so many of the Growing Spaces community. A step back in time when life was simpler. Riding your horse and carriage into new territories, staking your claim to a piece of fertile land, and planting seeds that will root down into your new lifestyle. It is about self-sufficiency, living off the land, healthy livestock, and sustainable agriculture.
Robyn & Martin Schulze purchased their property in Chromo, Colorado, many years ago, with a dream to move away from Longmont, Colorado, upon retirement. This is where they first heard of Growing Spaces on one of their many weekend trips to the property. At the time, Robyn was doing her best to tend an outdoor garden in Longmont where the weather was wild, and the winds were strong. She knew that someday she would have her very own Growing Dome.
Terry believes that the Growing Dome is more than just a backyard greenhouse and encourages "others to look at it as a piece of art. It's just so cool!" Terry spends many nights 'glamping' in her Growing Dome, and has added many other artistic touches like a fireplace, colorful LED lights, and even spray painted her pond with a beautiful sunset scene.
In addition to gas, electricity, and water, Richard ran an Ethernet cable underground through the conduit to a PoE (Power over Ethernet) switch in the dome. This allowed him to plug a WiFi node and a SmartThings hub into the switch. He then installed three PoE cams in the Dome: one on the north end, one on the south, and one underwater. "I can watch the dome interior on my phone or computer anywhere. I put in a set of three 6 watt LED lights on the bottom of the pool, so now I can see the fish more easily. For backup, there is a SmartThings temp/humidity sensor in the dome and a door sensor that can warn me if I’ve left the door open.
When most people think of a tropical getaway, they imagine it on a beach in the Bahamas or a bungalow in the Caribbean. You would never imagine such a lush tropical place to exist in a greenhouse in New York unless you are the students of Homestead School, that is.
Richard went the extra mile to ensure the greenhouse is a place to be admired. He added beautiful wooden raised beds, stepping stone flooring, and electric-powered oscillating fans for additional ventilation. Shortly after completing the beds, Caroline expressed her desire for a place that she could sit and enjoy her garden.
Paula & Keith Rigby’s 26’ backyard greenhouse in Kamiah, Idaho sits on their retirement property nestled in between the new home they are building and Keith’s workshop. Yes, they did in fact build the greenhouse first.
Every Growing Dome greenhouse has micro-climates. Each micro-climate provides different optimal growing areas for different types of plants. Growing the right plants in the right location will help to ensure your gardening success. The zones vary depending on the size of your dome, your raised bed design, and your vent and fan locations. Generally speaking, they correspond with the North, East, South, and West sides of your dome.
The Elder's, Jerilyn, Jay, Maddog, and Samantha, got their 33' Growing Dome with the hopes of generating enough food for themselves and others in the community. In just a year, their Dome has become so much more than a year-round gardening space. The Dome has acted as a getaway location for the entire family during the pandemic. Jerilyn called the expanse "the perfect place to slow down and veg out." It is truly their dream greenhouse garden getaway.
Rachel is one of those people who never really liked working for anyone else. Luckily she is also one of those people that believes that you can "manifest your dreams"...and manifest them she did. In 2015 Rachel used her skills as a certified chef to open a quirky farm-to-table food truck, coffee shop and she shed Greenhouse in South Fork, Colorado dedicated to fresh local eats.
Michael and Susan are both educators committed to making the world a better place whenever they can. In June of 2013, they purchased an 18' Growing Dome. Their dream was to create a sustainable greenhouse that balances natural and man-made environments while growing food year-round.
Daunelle and Weldon have always enjoyed gardening, but the weather in Lake Tahoe left them with very little time to enjoy it. Seven years ago, they decided to make the short move from Lake Tahoe to Gardnerville, Nevada. Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at approximately 4,751 ft their valley is known for it's thermal winds. The climate is similar to Tahoe; but "hotter and windier."
At the end of 2010, Deb's doctor diagnosed her with an autoimmune disorder and recommended she make a lifestyle change and consume a more nutrient-dense diet. So, in January of 2011, Reg and Deb Miller packed up their city life in Alberta and left to start a new adventure semi-retiring in Anglemont, British Columbia.
Daniel and Kerry Branagan use their 26' Growing Dome a little differently than most. Instead of growing food or flowers, their greenhouse is filled with beautiful lush succulents of all shapes and sizes. Kerry's love for succulents came about as a child at her grandmas when she saw her first hen and chick succulent. She was fascinated by it.
The question of whether or not to grow sage is pretty cut-and-dry (pun totally intended) because it's got so many uses. Beyond its beauty in the garden, sage is a sacred plant, a valued seasoning, and an herb with therapeutic properties. Learn more about how to grow sage.
April 2020 Dome of the Month – Rob and Barb Rodney Hoffman and Barb Smith do everything they can to live more sustainably. Their 18′ Growing Dome, located 8,000ft above sea level in Conifer, Colorado, is a 100% solar-powered greenhouse. They even gather rainwater to keep the tank full. The Dome was initially supposed to be...
A 15′ Greenhouse in Ontario, Canada March Dome of the Month – Ron Cole March’s Dome of the Month features a 15′ Growing Dome in Ontario, Canada. Ron Cole built his greenhouse with our 15′ Geodesic Dome Greenhouse Kit in October 0f 2014 to experiment with plants he can’t usually grow. The 15′ Growing Dome...
February 2020 Dome of the Month Veteran Jerry Bailey’s Montana Greenhouse February’s Dome of the Month features a 15′ Growing Dome in Philipsburg, Montana. Jerry Bailey, a US Army veteran, and avid outdoorsman built his greenhouse with our 15′ Geodesic Dome Greenhouse Kit in May of last year to become more self-sufficient. The 15′ Growing...
Stories From Growing Domes Across the Globe Andrew Trujillo – Green Thumb Daddy The Growing Spaces team often refers to Andrew as the face of Growing Dome Greenhouses. Although he doesn’t work for Growing Spaces, he is one of our biggest supporters and provides outstanding feedback, content and wonderful pictures on our social media channels....
Stories From Growing Domes Across the Globe Matt & Christie’s New Mexico Mountain Greenhouse is growing beautiful tropical flowers year-round If you are an avid user of the Growing Spaces Facebook Group “Growing Dome Enthusiasts”, then you are no doubt familiar with our December Growing Dome of the Month owner, Matt Larson. He often posts...
Laura & Dwane’s Lush Alaskan Greenhouse Getaway Novembers’s Dome of the Month features a 22′ growing dome in Wrangell, Alaska. Laura and Dwane decided to purchase their Alaska greenhouse a little over a year and a half ago due to the lack of good quality produce where they live and Laura’s passion for organic gardening....
Restaurant Greenhouse The Restaurant’s story. Taspen’s Cosmic Kitchen “is a place for everyone no matter what you eat.” They are a family-owned restaurant located in the Aspen Park Village Shopping Center at 25797 Conifer Rd B112, Conifer, CO 80433. All of their food & drinks are over 95% organic and 100% delicious. The idea to...
Stories From Growing Domes Across the Globe Suzanne’s Growing Dome Desert Greenhouse Suzanne’s journey with a desert Growing Dome Greenhouse has reoriented her towards a more holistic way of living. After extensive travel as a leadership coach and business consultant, Suzanne’s life took a drastic turn when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Luckily, after...
The construction of their geodome greenhouse was a school-wide effort with students contributing from all grades. It took them three weeks to build the structure.
Velma Orcutt's Growing Dome Greenhouse in Maine has been thriving for four years
Taken on the 4th of July during a fireworks ban across the state of Colorado, Richard Black was able to find a perfect substitute for fireworks, a double rainbow! It just so happened to end at his 42′ Growing Dome in Durango, CO. Fancy that! Great picture Richard, and keep on growing!
Congratulations to the Benjamin’s on their beautiful 33′ Growing Dome Greenhouse in British Columbia, Canada! Our Facebook community has voted, and this is the picture they liked the most this month. Hailing from Cariboo, British Columbia, Canada, Darcy and Simone love their Growing Dome Greenhouse. “It looks very cool out there, almost like a UFO...
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