Midwest Greenhouses
The Midwest's continental climate, agricultural traditions, severe weather, and shorter-than-expected outdoor seasons make it natural Growing Dome country. Across the region, dome owners are producing fresh food year-round in conditions that constrain outdoor gardens for much of the year. This category brings together stories, growing strategies, and practical advice from the Midwest Growing Dome community: how dome owners across the region handle long winters, severe summer weather, prairie wind, and the integration of dome production with traditional Midwest gardening calendars. Explore content from the Dakotas down through Missouri.
Urban Agriculture Takes Root in Omaha with City Sprouts
May 1, 2024
When you envision Omaha, Nebraska you might think of Lewis and Clark or world-renowned steaks. It might surprise you with its growing urban agriculture movement and the world’s largest indoor desert housed within the world’s largest glazed geodesic dome. That is not the only dome in Omaha, however. Tucked into a residential neighborhood on an…
Unity Gardens Destigmatizing Free Food and Education for Everyone
October 4, 2023
Unity Gardens, a nonprofit in South Bend, Indiana, is on a mission to improve community health through accessible fresh produce, education on nutrition, and fostering social connections. Their innovative approach, known as "Unity Gardens," allows the community to collectively grow and share food, destigmatizing free access to fresh produce. With the addition of a Growing Dome greenhouse, Unity Gardens not only provides fresh food but also serves as an educational hub, drawing people from near and far to explore its wonders and learn about gardening
Growing Dome Food Banks: Feeding Our Communities
July 5, 2022
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.
Growing Dome Greenhouse in Southern Illinois
May 7, 2022
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.
News and Events, Fall/Winter 2020
December 1, 2020
2020 will always be a difficult year to put into words. But for us here at Growing Spaces, New York Times author Dorie Chevlen put it best: "When the pandemic forced everyone into isolation and threatened food supplies, some people decided to build their own greenhouses."
5 Charities Fighting Food Insecurity
July 1, 2020
We wanted to take a moment and show our appreciation to five outstanding non-profit charities that are actively fighting food insecurity. Navajo Nation, Mattersville Vets, Urban Growers Initiative, GoFarm Coop, and the Food Coalition 4 Archuleta County and the GGP are all working to improve the health and nutrition of the people in their respective communities. See what Growing Spaces is doing to support these great causes, and learn how you can help. We are also excited to announce a new Urban Community Garden Grant opportunity for 2021!
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…
January 2014 Dome of the Month Winner
January 2, 2014
Congratulations to Denny Smith on winning the January Dome of the Month contest with his beautiful evening photo of a moon rising over his 33′ Growing Dome Greenhouse in Indiana! The installation of his greenhouse kit in early 2013 was a memorable one for the team as it was cold and wet! Denny was a…
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.
Restoring Keweenaw Bay, Michigan
August 7, 2012
In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, a program to restore native ground cover is underway. It is called the Zaagkii Project, and one of the tools they have is a Growing Dome that they utilize for propagation of endangered and culturally significant plants. This 33′ Growing Dome built in Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC), is also used to give…
March & April 2012 Dome of the Month Winners
April 16, 2012
Congratulations to Kris Gunning for this gorgeous photo of her families 42′ Growing Dome Greenhouse in British Columbia, Canada garnered the most attention of any entry to date. For how well received and liked the photo was and because we liked it too, this photo won the Dome of the Month contest for March 2012….