Regular Greenhouse vs The Growing Dome

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 shape allows for even light penetration throughout the day.

The rectangular shape of a traditional greenhouse gives midday heat when the sun is shining on its broad south facing surface. However, in the morning and evening, light input is negligible.

sunlight reflecting off of a traditional greenhouse

In contrast, the curved surface of the Growing Dome allows for even light and heat input throughout the day.

sunlight penetrating a growing dome greenhouse

Also, the geodesic shape is incredibly strong. The triangles forming the Growing Dome create a geometric pattern of strength not replicated in a simple rectangular design.

22' growing dome covered in snow

The Growing Dome can stand huge amounts of snow and is incredibly wind friendly.

The wind meets no resistance and flows right around it.

It’s the difference between flow and impact.

Instead of wind impacting a large surface area, like the broadside of a rectangular greenhouse, it flows around the geodesic shape which has no large flat surfaces for the wind to push against.

For more on why the Growing Dome stands up to even hurricane force winds, check out Best Greenhouse for Wind.

wind gliding around a growing dome greenhouse
Wind simply flows around a Growing Dome
wind gliding over and around the growing dome greenhouse easily
No large flat surfaces for wind to push against

Insulation and Heat Retention

The Growing Dome is well insulated and it’s passive solar design excels at retaining energy and heat.

Heat from the sun is strategically captured and stored during the day and slowly released at night.

sun low on the horizon during the winter months absorbing into the growing dome
pond releasing heat throughout the night in a greenhouse

A regular greenhouse will get hot but at night, it loses its heat and freezes.

And just as frustrating, they overheat in the summer. Traditional greenhouses can get so hot you can’t grow during the warm months without expensive cooling systems.

However, the Growing Dome greenhouse grows all summer long. It has automatic windows to maintain temperature and air flow. Also, the water tank that keeps things warm in winter and keeps your greenhouse cool in summer.

North wall insulation reflecting rays away form the growing dome when sun is high in the sky during the summer
pond releasing cool air overnight during the summer

Growing Dome Foundation

Another difference between the Growing Dome and a regular greenhouse is that it comes with a heated, insulated foundation.

With a regular greenhouse, the glass wall goes all the way down to the ground. Snow builds up against it and creates a lack of sunshine in the winter.

Man pointing to the insulated foundation wall on a growing dome during winter
Foundation wall is strong sturdy and insulated

The Growing Dome foundation keeps the structure up out of the snow, and it never suffers from moving and frost heaving.

With a regular greenhouse, you have to have concrete to stop it from moving in the winter.

A Regular Greenhouse is Simply a Season Extender. The Growing Dome Grows All Year-Round.

A regular greenhouse is simply extending your season for two or three weeks in the spring and fall. However, a Growing Dome creates an enclosed, indoor garden producing fresh fruit, vegetables, and flowers all year round. In the Rocky Mountains, the growing season is 90 days. But with a Growing Dome, you can grow all year long without a hitch, with no extra heating or cooling.

man showing green gardens during the winter inside a growing dome
Year round enclosed indoor garden

Here’s What A Growing Dome Can Do For You

The Growing Dome is not like other greenhouses. The frustrations and challenges of traditional greenhouse gardening are resolved with the unique passive solar design of the Growing Dome.

If you would like to:

  • Grow Year-round High Quality Organic Food
  • Gain Healthy Independence And Self-Reliance
  • Keep Your Greenhouse Heating/Cooling Costs Low
  • Create A Closer Connection with Nature
  • Have Gardening Peace of Mind, No Matter the Weather

Then give us a call today to welcome the Wonderful World of The Growing Dome into your gardening life.

1-800-753-9333

author avatar
Jason Stuck
For three days in March 2008 Jason Stuck shoveled gravel into a Growing Spaces’ 33’ Growing Dome. That was Jason's first “project” working for Growing Spaces. Jason easily fell in love with the product, the people, and the philosophy of helping the earth by helping others grow their own food. Jason wore many hats at Growing Spaces over the years. Shovel slinger, metal fabricator, shopkeeper and author. Jason wrote many articles for our website and newsletter.

2 Comments

  • What fun to see your video, and notice how things were growing even in the cold last Feb/March!! I love how the uniqueness of this Growing Dome Greenhouse is illustrated for visual people like me. Nice! I have enjoyed mine for 26 years.
    Puja

  • I want to learn more about your product and will stop by soon when in Pagosa Springs. I currently live in Littleton, CO (moving to Pagosa) and only grow orchids. Around 500. Heat, air movement and humidity being important. Have been unable to add crops due to bug attractant and soil that contains fungus and bacteria that affects orchids. Is anyone growing orchids along with food sources?

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