How Winter Growing is Possible

The difference between the inside and outside of the dome on a cold winter night depends on how many sunny days you are having. With the domes 7 unique features for heating and cooling, we are able to grow year-round, even in the Rocky Mountains, because we can keep the temperature at a decent level from the dome’s unique design. Here’s a synopsis of the 7 features:

1. The dome’s 5 layer, 16mm glazing provides insulation for the dome, and stability for the snow mass.
2. The undersoil heating/cooling fan blows air through the soil year-round to keep the soil temperature at a moderate range.
3. The automatic vents in the top of the dome will open if the heat becomes too much during the summer, allowing the dome to cool using a chimney effect. On our larger domes (26′ and larger, optional on smaller domes), the cooling fan(s) that are mounted on the side of the dome have automatic shutters that open at the right temperature, as well as a thermostat on the fan to cool the dome in summer if needed.
4. The perimeter insulation that is placed around the outside wall of the dome where the dome meets the soil prevents frost from penetrating under the wall of the dome.
5. The insulation in the wall of the dome has an R value of R12 which insulates the dome and the soil from frost.
6. The north wall insulation has an R10 value, and provides insulation and reflection of the sun’s light into the water tank.
7. The water tank, which absorbs the heat from the sun during the day, and emits it at night, acts as a heat mass to help bring the temperature up at night.

This winter we have had temperatures colder than -20 degrees Fahrenheit, and our plants were just fine inside the dome even though they frozen a little. As for temperature range, on a sunny day during the winter, storing heat in the water tank and the soil from the sun allows for there to be an average temperature difference of 30 degrees warmer than what is outside. However, if you’ve had lots of cloudy days and it gets cold, the dome doesn’t have the stored heat built up, and will not perform as well. The difference is only 20 degrees in this case on average. There’s always a temperature gradient within the dome itself, meaning you will have different temperatures inside the dome as well. If the temperature outside for example is around 5 below, the temperature in the outside bed might be 25 degrees, but the temperature of the bed near the water tank might be 35 or 40 degrees. So, you should take this into account when placing crops for winter growth. The crops near the water tank will grow faster in cold conditions than the ones on the south side due to this.

author avatar
Kyle
Kyle joined the Growing Spaces team in 2015, and enjoys being involved in all the exciting projects and developments happening around here!I graduated from Pagosa Springs High School in 2009 and moved to Gunnison, Colorado to pursue a degree in Environmental Studies. After graduating from Western State Colorado University, I moved back to my home town Pagosa Springs. Since moving back home in 2013, I have been working to develop a farm in Arboles. In my spare time, one may find me backpacking in the wilderness, cruising on a mountain bike, slacklining in the park, or skiing Wolf Creek. I also enjoy creating art when I am not outdoors. The mediums that I enjoy working with are yarn, canvas and paint, and clay. I have been experimenting with aquapoinics and am always excited to share knowledge on the subject with others. I joined the Growing Spaces team in 2015, and enjoy being involved in all the exciting projects and developments happening around here!

2 Comments

  • I don’t think the undersoil heating/cooling fans were ever set up in my dome by the previous owner. There are black coregated pipes in the soul, and a block of wood with a fan is laying somewhere in the dome, but it isn’t hooked up to anything. How would I go about setting it up properly? Do you have any directions I could see? Thanks.

    • Hi Abbe, Destiney from Customer Care will be in touch soon with an answer to this question and your question about the vent openers. Have a great day! Stacey

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *