Discussions in 2008 with Teller County Public Health, Gordon Jackson Foundation, and Pikes Peak Community Foundation laid the groundwork for a grant from LiveWell Colorado through TCPH. One outcome of the grant was the building of a 22 ft dome greenhouse from Growing Spaces in Pagosa Springs, CO. This greenhouse at Aspen Valley Ranch provides a four-season growing environment for vegetables at our 8,600 ft elevation location just a few miles from Pikes Peak. Solar heat stored in a 900-gallon water tank keeps the dome contents warmer in the Winter and cooler in the Summer. Only contemporary solar power is used… no fossil fuel. We are demonstrating that four-season food production is possible in the mountains using only solar power.
December, 2009 temperatures were colder than historical data for the past couple of decades. The dome contents faired quite well. Kathy is shown above slogging through the snow to tend the plants. A report on the December, 2009 indoor and outdoor temperatures is available for download.
The dome experienced another challenge in January, 2011 when temperatures plummeted beyond -23 degrees F at night for several cloudy days. The nighttime temperature inside the dome was 46 degrees warmer that outside! The dome has also performed well during days with full sun without overheating.
