Having lived in Pagosa since 2001, I’m very familiar with Growing Spaces and have been interested in their geodesic dome design since we moved here. I got my start in gardening in the challenging conditions that Pagosa has to offer. In a previous role with the Southwest Land Alliance, I was able to contribute my graphic design services to the Geothermal Greenhouse Project, which features these unique domes.
When I’m not working, I’m camping and exploring with my husband and dog, or I may be found tinkering with new creative projects like knitting or picking the mandolin.
I’ve worn a lot of hats over the years and am excited now, in the spring of 2024, to be joining the marketing team and supporting the Growing Spaces community.
Articles by Laura Dollar
2026 Calendar of Events
February 15, 2026
Join us at one of our 2026 community events where you can learn more about our Growing Dome greenhouses. What’s on the calendar? Open Houses & Seed Swap, Earth Day, the Modern Homesteading Conference, and Rhythms on the Rio
Grow Better: Easy Seed Starting Tips for a Bountiful Garden
January 23, 2026
Starting your seeds indoors, whether in a traditional setting or within the protected environment of a Growing Dome greenhouse, is a rewarding step toward a bountiful harvest. By carefully managing the key elements of moisture and humidity, light, and heat, you provide your young plants with the optimal conditions to break dormancy and thrive. Whether you choose to transplant your healthy starts or direct sow certain varieties, these foundational seed-starting principles will help you extend your growing season, practice effective succession planting, and keep your garden vibrant and productive year after year.
Delightful Roasted Radish & Broccoli Pesto Pasta Salad
January 22, 2026
A versatile recipe that makes the most of reliable winter greens and spring vegetables like radishes and broccoli. Our nut-free pesto dressing is adaptable (try different greens or make it vegan!), and the whole dish is satisfying as a warm dinner or a refreshing chilled lunch. We’ll show you how to make the flavorful pesto, perfect roasted pepitas, and the final simple assembly. Enjoy customizing the pesto with whatever you have in your garden!
Southwest Ratatouille: A Flavorful Twist on a Classic Dish
September 19, 2025
Discover Southwest Ratatouille! This flavorful twist on a classic dish that uses green chiles and helps you enjoy abundant summer veggies. Find the recipe here!
Sustainable Gardening: Why Crop Rotation Matters
July 15, 2025
By thoughtfully implementing crop rotation, you can significantly enhance the health and productivity of your Growing Dome garden. This essential permaculture practice not only minimizes soil depletion and deters pests and diseases but also contributes to a thriving, balanced ecosystem within your greenhouse.
Composting 101: How to Compost for a Thriving Garden
May 16, 2025
Composting is a valuable permaculture practice that transforms organic waste into a nutrient-rich resource for regenerating soil. While composting has challenges such as odor and pests, its benefits, including waste reduction, carbon sequestration, and soil improvement, are significant.
Herbs for the Heart: Plants for Love, Lust, and Longevity
February 10, 2025
Our favorite plants traditionally used as aphrodisiacs or to support cardiovascular health and the best gardening tips for cultivating them in your Growing Dome
Pickled Beets and Fig Jam Make Festive Holiday Gifts
November 25, 2024
When the fig trees started producing in our Growing Domes this summer, I rushed to dry or freeze as much as possible. I knew there would be a jam recipe this fall. It just so happened, that the green chiles were ready to harvest at the same time I found this recipe for a Serrano…
Preserving the Harvest: Home Canning, It’s Simple, You CAN Do It!
November 18, 2024
Ready to embark on a culinary adventure? Let’s dive into the world of home canning, where you can transform fresh produce into delicious, long-lasting treats. Canning is a method of food preservation where food is processed in sealed containers to extend shelf life. Those containers can be glass jars or metal cans. For the home…
Preserving the Harvest: Dehydrating, Dry It Out
October 23, 2024
Drying foods is one of the oldest forms of food preservation. Using the sun or the heat from a fire were the methods used by ancient peoples. Drying removes the moisture from fruits and vegetables, preventing the growth of bacteria or mold. As with many types of food preservation, the recommendations are often changing and…
Preserving the Harvest: Pickling and Fermentation
September 24, 2024
Pickling includes both preserving food by submerging in vinegar or by fermentation in a brine. Discover the differences and similarities between these preservation methods.
Preserving the Harvest: Freezing Food for Nutrition and Convenience
August 22, 2024
Freezing food is one of the easiest and most common forms of food preservation. It works because the cold temperatures inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Historically, if you lived in a cold climate this form of preservation by freezing had been used for centuries. The quick-freezing methods we use today, are credited to a Canadian…
Celebrate the Harvest Season with Green Chile Recipes for Every Occasion
August 19, 2024
Come September in New Mexico and parts of Colorado, the onset of Autumn is heralded by the smell of roasting chiles in the air. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or creating a special date night dinner for two, we’ve got a green chile recipe to celebrate the harvest season. In my family, Thanksgiving or Christmas…
Garlic Chicken, Lebanese Djaj Biltoom, Fit for a Feast
July 31, 2024
This roasted Lebanese Garlic Chicken, Djaj Biltoom, with a Toum dipping sauce will be the unexpected star of your next backyard BBQ. If you’re a garlic lover, skip the chicken and go straight for the toum.
Preserving the Harvest: In Oil, Salting, or Sugaring
July 30, 2024
In this article, we’ll look at extending the shelf-life of food by salting, sugaring, and storing in oil. In the modern kitchen, these techniques alone are not safe for long-term storage. As you will see, they are best used when combined with another food preservation method, such as drying, refrigerating, or freezing. Sugars and salts…
Customer Appreciation Event 2024
July 29, 2024
We hope you’ll join us for our Annual Customer Appreciation Event September 14th from 9:00 am – 2:30 pm at the Growing Spaces campus located at 1868 Majestic Drive in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. It’s all about you! We want to thank you for your loyalty and support as customers and give you a forum to gather with…
Preserving the Harvest: Cold Storage and The Root Cellar
June 26, 2024
From drying to freezing there are many food preservation methods to make the harvest last longer. Today, we're highlighting the cold storage method and exploring the idea of building a root cellar.
Happy National Pollinator Week!
June 17, 2024
Pollinator Week is a time to celebrate the vital role these insects play in our environment. It's also an opportunity to reflect on our practices to be sure we're doing our best to help them thrive.
Nasturtium Recipe Collection—Our Favorite Ways to Use Them in Cooking
May 29, 2024
Looking for a nasturtium recipe? Find your fave in one convenient collection: nasturtium pesto, spring rolls, shrimp salad with pine nuts, pickled seeds