About Growing Domes

A geodesic dome greenhouse is structurally and thermally different from anything else on the market, and understanding those differences is the foundation for getting the most out of a Growing Dome. This category brings together deeper-dive writing on the dome itself: how the geodesic design works, the role of the central pond in thermal regulation, the relationship between dome size and what you can grow, and the engineering decisions behind the kits. Explore the technical and conceptual nuances behind one of the most distinctive greenhouse designs available, with content for both new and experienced dome owners.

all growing dome sizes at Growing Spaces campus
Gardener holding freshly harvested carrots outside a Growing Dome greenhouse surrounded by snow

How to Grow Food Year-Round Without Spending a Fortune on Greenhouse Heating

August 21, 2026

Learn how to grow food year-round without relying entirely on expensive greenhouse heat. This guide covers thermal mass, heat loss, winter sunlight, microclimates, crop selection, ventilation, and strategic supplemental heating, with practical tips for any greenhouse and examples of how we apply those principles in a Growing Dome.

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Dark storm clouds and lightning above three Growing Dome greenhouses

The Best Greenhouse for Hail

June 5, 2026

Choosing the best greenhouse for hail starts with the right covering and design. Learn how Growing Domes combine multiwall polycarbonate glazing, geodesic strength, and real-weather performance.

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Growing Dome under construction

On Pricing, Durability, and What We're Actually Selling

April 24, 2026

Most of what I know about money, I learned the hard way. One idea I kept coming back to was cost per wear: good leather shoes resoled a few times often cost less over ten years than a string of cheaper pairs. A solid hand tool that lasts decades is usually cheaper than replacing a weaker one every few years. That's the frame I bring to the question we get all the time: why does a Growing Dome cost what it costs?

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A 26' Growing dome with large amount of fallen tree branches in front of it

Best Greenhouse for Wind

February 17, 2026

What’s the best greenhouse for wind? Explore how shape, materials, and wind load physics make dome greenhouses more resistant in high-wind climates.

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Growing Dome greenhouse during construction with mountain range in background

The Truth About Growing Dome Installation Options

January 26, 2026

Learn the real differences between Growing Dome installation options and choose the build path that fits your skills, comfort level, and budget.

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Black sheet metal pond in a geodesic greenhouse with green foliage in front and reflective insulation behind

Thermal Mass Made Simple: A Warmer, Greener Greenhouse

September 24, 2025

Learn how thermal mass in a Growing Dome pond stores solar energy, reduces heating needs, and keeps your greenhouse warm through cold winter nights.

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Growing dome covered in fresh winter snow

Growing Through Deep Winter: A Comparison of Greenhouse Approaches

February 6, 2024

I compare Minnesota deep winter greenhouses, Growing Domes, and hoop houses through their heat storage, insulation, structural requirements, and intended use, with field accounts showing how growers adapt to different climates.

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Plug In or Power Up? Unveiling the Secrets of On-Grid and Off-Grid Greenhouse Options

January 2, 2024

Our company, Growing Spaces, began as a 100% off-grid greenhouse company with emphasis on helping people live a more sustainable, healthy lifestyle. While the driving force behind what we do has not changed, i.e. we are still here to help you take the steps to live a more sustainable and healthy life. We have realized…

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Two people waving through open roof vents at the top of a Growing Dome greenhouse

A Year Round Growing Dome Greenhouse, How Does it Work?

December 1, 2023

The technologies behind what make our product one of the best greenhouse options on the market are not rocket science. They are Dome science! You might already be familiar with our seven features, but if not we are going to get down to the basics so that you can understand how they work and why they make the Growing Dome Greenhouse the best greenhouse option for you!

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Build the Perfect Greenhouse Kit for Your Climate

May 6, 2022

Over the years, as our reach has extended to all 50 states and 14 countries worldwide, we’ve developed some components and guidance for customers who live where it may be cloudier, more humid, much colder, or even hotter than the Rocky Mountain West.  We like hearing about our Dome owners’ experiences and learning from their feedback and then making improvements to what we offer.

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Wooden-Greenhouse-Kit-Dome

The Best Wooden Greenhouse Kits On the Market

March 8, 2022

In most cases, greenhouse kits include a constructed frame and a translucent material that encourages the sun's rays, like 8mm twin-wall polycarbonate or our more durable 16mm five wall polycarbonate. The frame can be aluminum, steel, wood, and even plastic. So why do we make wood greenhouse kits?  We can think of quite a few reasons.

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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.

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How to Create a Beautiful Pond Garden

June 17, 2021

The above-ground pond included with our greenhouse kits creates an optimal opportunity for growth. -- It aids the growth of your plants in your raised beds, acting as the greenhouse's primary source of thermal mass, but it can also foster the growth of aquatic plants & fish. It can even promote the growth of a peaceful environment with soothing sounds and art.

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Interior of a Growing Dome greenhouse with healthy plants and ventilation features

Why Greenhouses Need Ventilation: Fans, Vents, Airflow & Plant Health

February 26, 2021

Greenhouse ventilation helps prevent heat stress, humidity buildup, and stagnant air so plants stay healthier year-round. Learn how vents, fans, and seasonal airflow strategies support better growing conditions.

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Growing Dome greenhouse beside a house, connected by a covered wooden walkway

Planning Your Geodesic Dome Greenhouse

November 2, 2020

Planning your greenhouse is one of the best parts of purchasing a Growing Dome. You get to design an energy-efficient backyard greenhouse that is uniquely your own. Most of our customers start with their imagination – seeing themselves inside a lush greenhouse, a little bit of “Eden” right in their backyard, planting starts, watering…harvesting and eating fresh produce that takes no longer than 5 minutes from garden to kitchen prep!

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Black-and-white photograph of Buckminster Fuller wearing a geometric paper hat at a table

Buckminster Fuller and the Geodesic Biodome

July 10, 2020

Buckminster Fuller was first and foremost a great teacher and humanitarian. He described his research and teachings as "comprehensive anticipatory design". The term Dymaxion he used so frequently was a combination of the design principles he often used: Dynamic, Maximum, and Tension. But to Bucky, it also meant "doing more with less."

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Presenter in a garden beside an illustration comparing dome and rectangular greenhouses

Regular Greenhouse vs The Growing Dome

May 15, 2018

The Growing Dome® is not your run-of-the-mill “regular” greenhouse. In the world of greenhouses, it’s completely unique and leads the field in a new paradigm of year round gardening, a net zero energy greenhouse. Why is it Different, or Superior, to a Regular Greenhouse? Regular Greenhouse vs the Growing Dome The Geodesic Shape First, the geodesic…

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Illustration of a Growing Dome greenhouse with a map of the world across its glazing

The Growing Dome Insulated Greenhouse: Revolutionizing the Greenhouse Industry

March 9, 2018

Welcome to the Wonderful World of the Growing Dome® Insulated Greenhouse The Growing Dome is a net-zero, energy-efficient, insulated greenhouse. You can grow year-round with no heater, even in cold climates. A unique system that truly revolutionized the greenhouse industry. How is that possible? It’s always fun to have Udgar mic up and wander out to the…

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Snow-covered Growing Dome greenhouse with a white door and a garden bench outside

Winter Gardens. Punxsutawney Phil. And the Promise of a Growing Dome.

February 3, 2017

Winter Gardens: The Only Suitable Response to Punxsutawney Phil The most wanted groundhog in America, maybe the most wanted groundhog in the history of mankind, makes a case for winter gardens. No other groundhog sees tens of thousands of people gathering to hear the final say on the conditions of their next six weeks. The crowds…

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Vegetable plants and hanging flower baskets along a curved raised bed inside a Growing Dome greenhouse

Secrets of Year Round Gardening Revealed

August 4, 2016

Why Growing Dome® Gardening is Unique and Easy. Gardening in a Growing Dome is different. It’s different in a good way. It’s easy. It is not like growing outside, and compared to growing in a regular greenhouse, they are as different as night and day. Plants do grow easily in the Growing Dome. However, to…

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Best Greenhouse Covering For Extreme Weather

April 28, 2016

Polycarbonate glazing has proven to be the Best Greenhouse for Hail, Wind, Snow and Cold Temperatures Impact Resistance 200 Times Greater Than Glass People claim the weather is unpredictable these days, especially in the Rocky Mountains. I call shenanigans. It is predictable; in its unpredictability. It will hail, it will snow, it will get windy and that’s…

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Hanging baskets of pink and purple flowers above vegetable beds inside a Growing Dome greenhouse

Gardening How-To Video Series

July 26, 2011

If you haven’t been on our YouTube channel lately, we’d like the chance to share the episodes from this Summer’s Gardening Tips video series. Our favorite is the most recent Hand Flower Pollination video: Also check out these fun videos on cooling your greenhouse in the summer:

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