Growing and Gardening Through the Winter - Growing Dome Greenhouses
Greenhouse and horticulture technology has progressed to an exciting new possibility: passive winter gardening.
As a Canadian company, we know this idea is a bold claim, and that “winter” itself is a subjective term. Admittedly, there are certain conditions and limitations to winter gardening. However, with the right tools, preparation, and knowledge, you can enjoy 365 days of growing potential!
That means year-round fresh produce, a space for a winter hobby garden, or even having functional space perfect for growing enthusiasts, botanists, horticulturists, businesses, families, and more.
Here’s how.
START WITH A CONTROLLED SPACE
First and foremost, you will need a contained and controlled environment to maintain suitable growing conditions. The solution here is a greenhouse, but not just any greenhouse! Most greenhouses are limited to just three seasons each year, and are not designed to provide the heat, light, airflow, humidity, space, or optimal soil conditions necessary for winter growing. In certain climates (which includes much of Canada), the external conditions provide too great a challenge to allow for four growing seasons.
That’s where Growing Domes come in. Designed to be durable, effective, and efficient growing environments, this unique design has been developed and refined for winter-use. Originally developed in Colorado by Growing Spaces Inc, these domes were created with extreme weather and winter in mind. Growing Domes engineering and functionality has been tried and tested through snow, hail, wind storms, heatwaves, and more. Now there are domes in nearly every province and territory across North America, including the Canadian Arctic!
These amazing domes are an innovative and effective solution to your growing challenges. They aren’t just greenhouses - they are Growing Domes.
GROWING DOMES VS. CONVENTIONAL GREENHOUSES
Growing Domes have many unique advantages over conventional greenhouse designs, starting with their shape. The aerodynamic shape provides an incredible amount of strength, allowing Growing Domes to withstand winds as high as 180-200 km/hr (depending on the dome size), withstand 250lbs/sqft of snow load, track the sun across the horizon, stand strong for decades, and even with heat regulation and distribution. Growing Domes are second to none in many respects, including their amazing energy efficiency.
Growing Dome kits come equipped with numerous features and accessories that put them leaps and bounds above the competition, many of which are specifically designed to make your dome a comfortable and controllable 365 day-use space!
16mm polycarbonate panels: 16mm thick, r-value of 2.8 / 0.68 solar heat gain coefficient / 0.78 shading coefficient. Impact-resistant; 200x stronger than glass, 10x stronger than acrylic. Recyclable and light weight.
Reflectix insulation materials: reflects 96% of radiant energy, fiber-free, and class A fire rating. Resists growth of fungi, mold, and mildew. Non-toxic. Fire resistant.
Above ground pond: multi-use water tank great for aquatic plants and even fish. However, its primary purpose is as a heat battery and as a natural regulator for your space.
Drip edge flashing: standard with every dome, this feature protects the foundation wall from water damage, rot and mildew. In the winter it protects your dome from ice, snow, and condensation that can get trapped in small spaces.
North Wall Insulation: uses our reflectix materials and careful positioning on the interior north-facing wall to help keep the greenhouse warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Reflects light and radiant energy, and provides shade for the above ground pool.
Foundation wall: in addition to keeping your dome structurally-sound, the foundation wall serves as an extra barrier between frost and cold ground, and your cozy space.
Undersoil heating system: used for both heating and cooling, air enters pipes buried in the soil of your garden beds or flooring, circulating air as well as heat in the winter and helping regulate your dome’s internal temperature.
Snowshed entryway: this overhanging entryway gives you easy access to your dome in addition to keeping the elements outside for simpler management and upkeep.
HOW DO GROWING DOMES HEAT OVER THE WINTER?
The greenhouse is heated with a self-regulated system that uses the sun’s natural heat, focusing it through special insulated panels in order to heat up a central water tank that helps maintain ideal growing conditions. An insulated north-facing wall helps trap warm air, and an insulated foundation ring keeps out frost and prevents the ground from cooling the dome.
Every Growing Dome Greenhouse also comes standard with a geothermal climate control system that is installed under the soil of the raised garden beds. Its purpose is to utilize the consistent temperature of the soil, tap into the thermal mass, and have the ability to store and release that thermal energy. The fans used in these systems help circulate the air within the greenhouse as well.
These two components allow the dome to heat itself about 20º warmer than outside temperatures. For very cold temperatures in the winter, owners usually opt for an additional heating system, such as an electric or propane heating unit.