Greenhouse Information, Greenhouses Research & Home Geodesic Dome Greenhouses

 

How many Growing Domes are there?

Growing Spaces has been building and supplying the geodesic Growing Dome® Greenhouse Kit since 1989! The Growing Dome stands its ground in 48 states, including Alaska and Hawaii and now our international outreach is to 13 countries!

Why the dome shape?

Several reasons: the dome shape is both functional and beautiful; it encloses the maximum volume using the least amount of materials, creating optimum energy efficiency. A dome handles wind & snow loads effortlessly! It gives a much more even heat input throughout the day than a rectangular greenhouse, and its global shape symbolizes caring for the planet we live on.

Can this geodesic dome really grow food all year long?

Most emphatically yes! The Growing Dome® has two seasons: hot and cool. In the summer it grows all the heat-loving plants: tomatoes, pepper, eggplant, zucchini, squash, cucumbers, etc.

In the winter it grows the hardier, cool weather crops: lettuce, spinach, swiss chard, peas, beets, kale, the cabbage family, leeks, the onion family, and lots of other greens and herbs. During severe cold spells, growth slows and may even stop - the dome can freeze - but as soon as the sun shines again, growth continues! The unique combination of special features of the Growing Dome® greenhouse allow for year-round gardening producing fresh vegetables, fruits, and flowers every day of of the year!

Why does the dome kit have a water tank?

The tank is the POWER PACK of the dome. In winter it soaks up the heat of the sun by day and releases it at night, moderating nighttime temperatures. During summer the water tank acts as a cooling mass, preventing the dome from overheating. Use your tank as a beautiful water garden to grow aquatic plants, or an indoor pond for growing fish. Some have installed our Solar Fountain Option to provide a peaceful ambiance, others have used it as a giant potting bench where they plant seedlings.

How much food can the Growing Dome® grow?

Depending on your gardening skills and soil fertility, you can figure about 2.5 pounds per square foot per year. Thus, a 22 foot diameter dome (350 square feet) can produce over 800 pounds of veggies per year!! The average American consumes about 200 pounds of vegetables per year, so that's enough to feed 3 or 4 people. To learn how many people each size feeds visit our Sizes and Prices Page. In full production the Growing Dome can return your investment every 2 to 4 years. See our Return on Investment (ROI) chart for more information.

Will this greenhouse dome ever freeze?

Yes, the dome can freeze during extended, severe cold with little sun. Some people provide supplemental heat; even a tiny heater works well as the dome is so well insulated. However, most cold-hardy plants will continue to grow once the sun shines again. See our suggestions for solar greenhouse site selection, to optimize the energy efficiency of your Growing Dome®.

Is this going to be a lot of work?

The main "work" here is picking all of your wonderful produce, and finding people to share it with! Most find on average that they spend 4 hours per week in their dome. It's not a chore, as the dome is such an attractive place to be. The problem is keeping away from it! The automatic vents mean no worry of overheating, or coming home late on a frosty night forgetting that you left the window open!

What about building permits?

The dome is regarded as a temporary structure by some building departments, as it does not have a foundation and can be easily disassembled. Yes, even if you move you can take your dome with you! Click here for answers to questions often asked by local building departments, officials, homeowners associations, etc. It's Always best to check with your local building department about permitting ahead of time.

Does this greenhouse need a concrete foundation?

No, the dome is so light it can sit on a gravel foundation. It needs to be anchored down, however, which can easily be done with supplies from your local building materials supplier. We have prepared a short discussion of foundation options detailing the range of foundations used with our Growing Dome® Greenhouse.

Is everything included in the cost of the dome?

No, the Growing Dome® greenhouse comes as a kit, however some items are bulky and too expensive to ship, these items are inexpensively available at your local building supply store. Items not included are the undersoil heating ducts, perimeter insulation, and sheet metal necessary to assemble the water tank. Growing Spaces provides a detailed list of items and quantity with your Installation package. Growing Spaces can also provide our skilled Installation Team to put up your dome, see our Installation page.

Are pests and disease a problem?

Every greenhouse is a wonderful place to be, and that means for insects as well. We recommend organic methods of biological pest control. There are many excellent books on this subject. We recommend the book Greenhouse Gardening Companion by Shane Smith! You can visit the natural pest control section of our blog for helpful tips and if you have questions feel free to leave them in the comments. Remember, vigilance is the best weapon!