All Articles
Surprise Spring Snow – May 2013 Dome of the Month
May 21, 2013
Congratulations to Cate Graber on winning the Dome of the Month contest for May 2013. This fun pair of photos of her 26′ Growing Dome greenhouse in Trinidad, Colorado shows how quickly the weather can change in the Rocky Mountains. Her peach tree had just decided to start blooming above 6,400 feet. Then Mother Nature…
It’s Earth Day
May 17, 2013
It’s Earth Day, and this is being celebrated in many places around the globe (see Earthday.org ). In our own small town, the people of vision were out on a cold day in their booths giving away small trees to celebrate Earth Day. There were many examples of innovation and many contributions to the awareness…
Finished! 33′ Growing Dome at the Shumei Natural Agriculture Garden
May 8, 2013
4-25-13 Thursday: I love round tanks, especially when it comes to leveling. Today we were busy finishing the tank. Don’t you love Janet’s pleats in the tank liner? And, yes, for a charge she will come redo your tank! Other tasks included finishing the fans, final odds and ends at the door, and leftover parts! 4-27-13: Thursday…
Part 4: 33′ Growing Dome at the Shumei Natural Agriculture Garden
April 22, 2013
We thought we might be nearing a close with the construction of the 33′ Growing Dome at the Shumei Garden at the Rodale Institute, but this story sure has had it’s twists and turns! It turns out that Richard is headed back east to work on some finishing touches and to help with consulting on…
Part 3: 33′ Growing Dome Installation at the Shumei Natural Agriculture Garden
April 19, 2013
As the 33′ Growing Dome at the Shumei Natural Agriculture Garden at the Rodale Institute continues to take shape we see how many wonderful volunteers are pitching in to make this project happen. Richard Miller, Growing Spaces installation supervisor, has been kind enough to send us updates as they go. 4-9-13 Tuesday: I checked hubs…
Our Dirt Work Leads to a Food Revolution
April 17, 2013
Celebrity Chef Jamie Oliver endorses the Growing Dome Greenhouse while visiting Navajo Nation in Arizona
Garden Art – April 2013 Dome of the Month Winner
April 12, 2013
We feel fortunate to have people like April's Dome of the Month Winner, Larry Berger, in our lives. They turn their passion, no matter what it is, into an art form. His passion just so happens to be our passion, gardening. He won April's contest with this lovely overview shot of his full garden and it's so rewarding to see his 22' Growing Dome Greenhouse in Wisconsin incorporated into a larger garden. A stunning larger garden at that. We couldn't do Larry's garden justice, although, without including a few of our other favorite pictures he's sent over the years.
Part 2: 33′ Growing Dome Installation at the Shumei Natural Agriculture Garden
April 9, 2013
The 33′ Growing Dome at the Shumei Natural Agriculture Garden at the Rodale Institute is going up nicely. Richard Miller has been kind enough to send us updates as they go, so you can feel like you’re right there with them! 4-2-13 Puxatawney Phil is part of a stew right about now. No, not because…
What You Need to Know About Eating Safe Fruits and Vegetables
April 8, 2013
In this day and age of the deluge of bad news, everyone does their best to filter out the pertinent information about what will affect their health and safety. In this article we’re going to do some filtering for you and review important information about the safety of your fresh fruits and vegetables. We’ll offer…
33′ Growing Dome Installation at Shumei Natural Agriculture Garden
April 3, 2013
“Off Again To High Adventure”with Richard Miller, Growing Spaces Staff Question: What do Growing Spaces, Rodale Institute, and Shumei Natural Agriculture have in common? Answer: A 33′ Growing Dome Yes, it’s true…Here we go again. Janet and I, the lowly vent maker, are “off again to high adventure”. Well, 15′-6″ high at least, to the…
Success with Community Garden Grants
March 13, 2013
Examples of how some communities have used garden grants to build a community garden greenhouse Community gardens create a wonderful space where neighbors and families can spend time outdoors, get good exercise and good food, and, most importantly, connect with each other. They also provide access to gardening for people who might otherwise not have…
March 2013 Dome of the Month Winner
March 6, 2013
Reminding us of a season soon to pass…this beautiful photo from Kathy Pitts & John Stone of their 26′ Growing Dome Greenhouse in Northern California captures the essence of the winter solstice it was photographed on. One of the comments about the photo that was posted on Facebook sums it up best for us, “Lovely…
Planting Early Season Catch Crops
February 28, 2013
There are some terms we year-round gardeners throw around pretty easily and “catch crop” is one of them. It sounds complicated, but is actually very simple. A catch crop is a fast-growing, quickly maturing crop that can be grown between cold season (winter) and warm season (summer) crops. January is most definitely too early to…
Dancing with Stress, Managing Overwhelm
February 20, 2013
What IF I could live in such balance that the energy needed for my everyday commitments was an OVERFLOW out of the peace and natural enthusiasm I carry within me? What if I could re-set myself, when I was thrown off balance? And make recovery an art form? This has been my developing goal since…
Replenish Your Garden’s Footprint
February 15, 2013
Let’s start out by first acknowledging that gardening is an inherently Earth-friendly activity. The basic acts of turning the soil, sowing seeds, watering, and nurturing the plants literally consists of acting in a loving, gentle and kind way toward the Earth. Gardening is also eco-friendly in less direct but as conspicuous ways. The most obvious…
Floating Row Covers in the Greenhouse
January 24, 2013
It’s been an especially cold winter for many parts of the country. We here in Colorado had the brunt of it during December and now the Midwest and Northeast are experiencing exceptionally cold temperatures. We’ve received a flood of questions about when and how to heat the Growing Dome. It largely depends on the amount…
Truckee Elementary and the Dome Raising Project Come Together
January 23, 2013
Awhile back we introduced you to Susie Sutphin and Bill Kelly of Truckee Community Farm in California. They had recently purchased and built a 33′ Growing Dome from Growing Spaces and were already looking to expand beyond their current garden. They had a vision for the Dome Raising Project as a part of their budding Tahoe…
A Dream to Award Good Food to All
January 23, 2013
I write on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the day of our President’s second inauguration. Many synchronicities stir me as I consider this time January 21, 2013 and what it means to me. In his speech, fifty years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King reminded us of the power of “having a dream” that is,…
Winter Wonderland – January 2013 Dome of the Month Winner
January 9, 2013
Congratulations to Katja Wichland and Josh Rapaport on winning the January 2013 Dome of the Month with this lovely winter photo of their 26′ Growing Dome Greenhouse in Colorado. Protected by their adopted Chow Chow named Bella, they are at 9,000 feet elevation near Telluride and are coming up on their two-year anniversary of owning…
Happy Holidays …
December 13, 2012
This is the time of year that my inner child delights in the music, Christmas lights and spirit of giving. My excitement is an appreciation for the turning inward of the shorter days, the relief of cozying our home and coming inside for more reflection. A reverence for inwardness symbolized by the Solstice, as well…
Proof that Gardening Gives a Natural Mood Lift
December 12, 2012
How many people do you know who are affected by depression, anxiety, stress or other emotional illness? Or maybe the better question is: Who do you know that is not affected? The pressures of today’s increasingly fast-paced, high-tech society that demands you know all things at all times and learn to do them all at…
Oregon Tropical Flowers in Winter
December 7, 2012
This Growing Dome Greenhouse in Oregon is flourishing in winter
Success Gardening Indoors in Winter on the Oregon Coast
December 6, 2012
This Growing Dome Greenhouse is flourishing on the Central Oregon Coast
Shumei International Institute Members Visit Growing Spaces
December 5, 2012
Last week, staff members of the Shumei International Institute in Crestone, Co. took advantage of the mild November weather and travelled to Pagosa Springs for a day of relaxing, sightseeing, and, of course, soaking in the “Healing Waters” of the hot springs. After a breakfast hosted by Growing Spaces at the “Famous” Pagosa Baking Co.,…