Community Contributions
Guest Contributors
Posts under this byline come from customers, partners, and friends of Growing Spaces who had something worth sharing. Each one is written by a real person; the contributor is credited on the post itself.
Articles by Community Contributions
Managing Summer Temperatures in Your Growing Dome Greenhouse
August 4, 2021
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.
Iowa Homeless Shelter Greenhouse, Second Chance Through Gardening
July 26, 2014
Central Iowa’s Homeless Shelter Greenhouse The idea of a homeless shelter greenhouse has been spreading recently and we are excited to be a part of this innovative movement. Central Iowa Shelter & Services Center (CISS) built a Growing Dome not only to feed the hungry, but also to teach those needing a second chance how…
Beautiful Blooms in Northern New Mexico Greenhouse – March 2014
March 14, 2014
Fresh lettuce, vegetable and a peach tree flourish in this New Mexico Growing Dome Greenhouse
Columbine Elementary’s New “Growing Dome” Greenhouse – a 21st Century Learning Center
March 14, 2014
Boulder community unites for hands-on, year-round garden education Boulder, CO March 10, 2014 – On Friday students, parents and staff at Columbine Elementary are holding an “Open Greenhouse” – the first chance for the community to check out their recently constructed 33 foot-diameter geodesic Growing Dome Greenhouse. The new greenhouse is considered a pilot for…
Shumei Natural Agriculture Garden Growing Dome Provides Midwinter Solace
March 8, 2014
An update from Eileen Weinsteiger the Shumei Natural Agriculture Garden Manager “Seven years ago when the Shumei/Rodale Team was designing the new Shumei Natural Agriculture Demonstration Garden to showcase a small homestead and Shumei Natural Agriculture principles it was imperative to include a unique greenhouse. We wanted a greenhouse that supported sustainability, efficiency, art, beauty, the…
First Place! Boys & Girls Club of the San Luis Valley
February 14, 2014
We are very excited to announce, albeit a bit early, the first place winners of our 2014 Growing Spaces In-Kind Grant Program! The Boys and Girls Club of the San Luis Valley, CO was moving ahead so quickly that we had an emergency session of the Grant Program Committee to make a decision and keep the club on schedule. As you see it's February in one of the coldest places in the state of Colorado and still they are starting on construction of the Growing Dome Greenhouse. We are more than impressed by their motivation, dedication, and drive when it comes to providing exceptional services for the youth of their community.
Congrats Pine River Library! The “Best Small Library in America 2014”
February 10, 2014
Best Small Library in America! We are excited to share the news that one of our local libraries and the second place winner of the 2014 Growing Spaces Grant Program, has been named the Best Small Library in America by the Library Journal. This is an amazing accomplishment AND we agree completely! The residents of…
Durango Students Lead Movement in Eating Locally Grown Food
November 20, 2013
Animas Valley students and their 22′ Growing Dome school greenhouse make big news, eating locally grown food. From the Durango Herald newspaper November 18, 2014: “Students and faculty at Animas Valley Elementary School were busy on Thursday afternoon collecting tomatoes, red lettuce, radishes and a few carrots from a greenhouse and garden on the premises….
AspenPointe 42′ Growing Dome Summer Harvest
November 14, 2013
An update from AspenPointe: “A 42 ft. Geodesic Growing Dome was added to the garden in April 2013 to allow the community garden to provide programming for our clients and community year-round and to help provide fresh, local produce for our AspenPointe Café throughout the winter months. The Growing Dome was planted with diverse crops…
Aspen T.R.E.E. Growing Dome Community Supported Agriculture Project
November 6, 2013
In October a dedicated crew from Growing Spaces and with the help of local volunteers installed at 42′ Growing Dome Greenhouse at 8,000 feet at Aspen T.R.E.E. Colorado in cold and snowy conditions. Through the donations of the Growing Spaces crew time and donations of labor and funds from numerous community organizations and individuals, Aspen…
Growing Dome Owner Harvests Over 100 Cucumbers
October 7, 2013
From Ross Woolf in Spanish Fork, UT “I love going to my Growing Dome every day as a place to enjoy the peace it brings. We live in a mountain home with a very short growing season. The Growing Dome has made gardening a reality for us (as well as protecting it from the deer)….
Gardener’s Wake-up Call from the Wild
October 5, 2013
From Dee Armstrong in Fort Garland, CO “I’ve been working hard on the cosmetics inside and outside the Growing Dome while my fall crop ripens. I now have seven cantaloupe blossoms, ten beans that are almost ready to pick, eighteen bean plants that have already reached the top of the vent, and nearly eighty tomatoes….
Colorado Growing Dome Greenhouse Successful First Summer
October 2, 2013
“My name is Nancy. I am writing today to tell you how much I enjoy my 26′ Colorado Growing Dome greenhouse. I had my greenhouse installed in August of last year so this is my first summer with my Growing Dome. It has been amazing the way everything has grown, and so quickly. I did…
Growing Dome Survives Baseball Sized Hail
September 27, 2013
A severe hailstorm caused major roof damage, yet the 22-foot Growing Dome solar greenhouse from Growing Spaces remained unharmed.
Update from Green Angel Gardens Greenhouse
September 24, 2013
Larkin Stentz emailed us this beautiful picture of their 22′ Growing Dome Greenhouse at Green Angel Gardens in Long Beach, WA.
Freeman Public School Teacher Puts Purpose to FFA Studies
September 18, 2013
Freeman Public School FFA program now has a Growing Dome. Introverts are typically viewed as unlikely agents of change, and it's so wonderful when that stereotype is blown out of the water by someone like Tony Jensen of Freeman Public School. In this article that outlines the leadership role he took on to bring his students, school and school district along with building a 33 ft. Growing Dome, Tony says, "I am not one to stand up and talk to a big crowd." That didn't stop him from leading his community to raising $30,000 for the project. The creativity of the students and their teacher has made this endeavor beyond an educational mission. They are growing food with a purpose at Freeman Public School. The produce will be incorporated into their school lunches at Freeman Public School as well as go to their local Food Bank.
Freeman Public Schools’ New Greenhouse Classroom
May 30, 2013
Freeman Public School students in Nebraska are just now settling into their new 33 ft. diameter Growing Dome greenhouse classroom. Over the course of about nine months they were able to write grants and receive enough funding to purchase the greenhouse classroom. The main contributions were grants from DuPont Pioneer and Farm Credit Services of…
Success Gardening Indoors in Winter on the Oregon Coast
December 6, 2012
This Growing Dome Greenhouse is flourishing on the Central Oregon Coast
The Return Customers
August 10, 2012
Meet David and Edna Allan, some home gardeners who have enjoyed their Growing Dome, enjoyed it so much in fact that they have actually bought seven of them. In this video they talk to Puja Parsons about their many Growing Domes, and some of the techniques they use to to grow all year long.
Story Time With Truckee Community Farm
August 9, 2012
Bill Kelly and Susie Sutphin, two of the people who have started a project they call Truckee Community Farms, came to Growing Spaces and explained what their focus is and how they got started. We love to hear from people like these who take a good idea and put it into action, and we are…
The Harvest Center Makes News
May 25, 2012
The Harvest Center non-profit boosts a membership of 95 gardeners and donated 477 lbs. of produce to families in need last year. This high-elevation community garden has two outdoor gardens and a 22′ Growing Dome where they grow food year round. Under the leadership of Lee Willoughby this outstanding vision has become a dream… The…
Students Learn Firsthand About Growing Food
May 15, 2012
A great partnership between Taos’ Chrysalis Alternative School and the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps has come to fruition with the building and gardening of their new 26′ Growing Dome. Thanks to an article from The Taos News we get to share with you their outstanding progress. “Students at Taos’ Chrysalis Alternative School are learning about…
Testimonial from May’s Dome of the Month Winner
May 11, 2012
We picked this photo of Urs’ 22′ Growing Dome as May’s Dome of the Month before receiving this wonderful letter from him. It just so happens that his photo received the most “likes” to date, a lucky 111. Nice work Urs and thank you for the kind testimonial letter! Dear Puja and Udgar,Thank you so…
A Featured Favorite Blogger
April 18, 2012
This Growing Dome Greenhouse owner in New Mexico writes wonderful pieces on healthy off-grid living
Cripple Creek Kids Start Their Own School Garden
March 7, 2012
This high altitude 22′ Growing Dome is finally coming to fruition for these elementary school students in Cripple Creek, Colorado and their story made the local newspaper. We are very excited for them and wish them happy gardening! Here’s an excerpt from the article: On the theory that kids are more likely to eat vegetables…
School Garden Program Inside and Out
November 11, 2011
We’ve been keeping you in touch with the happenings at Galileo School of Math and Science in Colorado Springs, CO from the very start of their school garden program. You’ve seen many snapshots along the way including some great segments from the local Fox news station. All of those pieces were great fun to share…
Agriculture Education Sees Growth
October 17, 2011
We always love when the school year starts as we get updates on how the school Growing Domes are doing. This year is no exception. Roaring Fork High School and Yampah Mountain High School located high in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado were both featured in the Sunday news in the article Agriculture Education Sees…
Randall Geo-Conservatory Grand Opening
September 9, 2011
Flagstaff AcademyRandall Geo-ConservatoryGrand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. Join us Tuesday, September 13 at 6 p.m. as we celebrate the completion of a project three years in the making. The Randall Geo-Conservatory is a living classroom for Flagstaff Academy K-8 students. The indoor, year-round garden will provide students…
Nurturing community while moving towards sustainability
August 16, 2011
Across continents, Growing Dome projects are more than just structures; they're catalysts for community bonding and sustainability. Witness our journey from Costa Rica, where a dome became a beacon of hope for special needs children, to Colorado's Flagstaff Academy, where it transformed into a living laboratory. These builds, akin to barn raisings, fuse construction with cultural exchange, creating profound emotional experiences and a shared vision for a sustainable future. Join us in exploring these inspiring stories of community, collaboration, and hope.
Greenhouse Chocolate Zucchini Cake
October 8, 2010
Our friends in Taos, New Mexico once published this recipe – we just couldn’t get enough of this yummy treat, and wish to pass it on to our fellow gardeners…(** as originally from a friend of Yart, Janine N; Yart leaves out the ingredients with the asterisks.) Chocolate Zucchini Cake Cream together: 1/2 cup **margarine…
Growing Dome Greenhouse Presentation in Farmington, NM
September 21, 2010
Fosters.com A service of the Rochester Times By JOHN NOLAN Thursday, September 9, 2010 FARMINGTON, NM — Farmington New Mexico Gardeners’ Round-table received a talk, last week, on greenhouses that allow year-round cultivation, but yet require no electricity, nor propane, nor kerosene to keep temperatures above freezing in the depths of winter. The big…
Fall Planting in Home Greenhouse Kits
August 10, 2010
I spent a bit of time this weekend in my 26′ Dome getting it tidied and ready for a fall planting. We just had 3 weeks of monsoon rains and our temperatures have moderated somewhat, so I am hoping to get my fall crops planted this week. In so doing I am hoping to be…
Greenhouses a Growing Interest in Colorado Communities
July 26, 2010
Greenhouses a growing interest amongst Colorado Janet Urquhart The Aspen Times Aspen, Colorado Greenhouses like the new dome behind Roaring Fork High School in Carbondale, Colorado could become a more common sight in the Roaring Fork Valley. Pitkin County is contemplating code changes to better accommodate greenhouses. With community gardens cropping up around the Roaring…
Exotic harvests: The Mast family grows grapefruit, limes and many other fruits & vegetables
July 6, 2010
This summer, Kellie Mast is looking forward to harvesting grapefruit, limes and maybe even olives and avocados. But she doesn’t live in Spain, she lives in Silver Creek, British Columbia. Thanks to a funky-looking 33-foot round geodesic dome greenhouse, Mast can grow exotic produce, as well as an array of regular plants, vegetables and flowers….
Enchanted Valley Farm Grows Year Round
June 16, 2010
Enchanted Valley Farm uses Growing Dome to provide for its fresh, homemade spreads! Find this homestead on the Archuleta County map where you least expect to find anything close to an organic export food processing facility, and you find Archuleta County’s finest organic export food processing facility. Of course, when you find such a facility…
Community Rallies Around Jay Middle School in Maine
June 15, 2010
By Bobbie Hanstein • Jun 13th, 2010 On Saturday, about 100 or so volunteers helped assemble a geodesic Growing Dome Greenhouse at Jay Middle School in Maine. The design and grant funding for the geodesic dome greenhouse at Jay Middle School is thanks to two 14-year-old students. The actual construction of the 22-foot-radius wood and…
Green Living 101: Grow Your Own Food
June 4, 2010
Green Living 101: Grow your own food in Colorado Worried about America’s addiction to oil? Do you want to rely less on oil and live off the vegetables and fruits of your labor? Want to grow your own organic food all year around, even in the dead of winter in the bitter Colorado Rocky Mountain…
Building, Heating and Enjoying the Growing Dome
March 1, 2010
Good Morning, I am happy to share with you my personal Growing Dome experiences. In response to a recent question about where to place the Southern Burner Heater (Update: Southern Burner closed in 2019) inside the Growing Dome…you place it so the hot air is blowing on the water tank. This allows the tank to…
Toyota & Growing Spaces
November 18, 2005
Toyota Takes Factory Efficiency to the Next Level Treehugger.com -November 16, 2005 07:30 AM – John Laumer, Philadelphia Plenty of businesses encourage recycling and perhaps “green purchasing”. Some, even a few of the big multinationals, are famed for their occasional green designs. We haven’t seen many big companies, though, which continually green their designs, continually…
Karen & Glen Everitt in Manti, UT
November 29, 2004
A note from Karen & Glen Everitt in Manti, UT: We received our 22 ft. greenhouse kit on April 11 and by May 23 it was completed except for a couple of finishing projects like a trellis and potting table which are now completed on May 30. We LOVE our greenhouse. It’s the first place…
Larry Jones’ 42 foot Growing Dome in Kansas
October 9, 2004
Hi Udgar, Puja, Nicky and Wirt, I just wanted to take time to thank you for the Dome. We love it! It has been the best thing that we have done in years. We love to garden and our “Kansas Plains” climate is very inhospitable to many of the plants we love. We have very…