Building a geodesic dome greenhouse

Of Course! Also, I'll see if I can dig up pictures of that 1980s dome; I might still have some around. That was before digital, so I'll have to scan them if I find them.

OK, here's a pic from the vault; it shows the finished dome with shade cloth in the background and one of my hybrid EEs (Alocasia portora) in front. The Alocasia is over 4 feet tall and the dome is about 10' to the apex (20' diameter dome overall). I did not make a special door opening, but instead made a triangular door that was hung within one of the dome triangles.

I plan for my new dome to be set on a platform built on concrete pylons so as to avoid rot. The location I have picked is the lowest part of the yard so the dome will be accessible via a small bridge and after heavy rain, will be in the middle of a pond! Can't wait to get started, but have a couple other projects ahead of it.

Dave's garden and your insight are a God send. I am in the process of doing exactly what you have done and I'm happy to see interest from so many. I have just gotten interested in gardening and have been interested in geodomes for a long time. My winter garden is all in horse watering troughs and I have built little domes over each one for the cold nights here in northern Nevada. I am in the process of planting an 1100 gallon water tank to be the center of my greenhouse, I plan on sinking it deep enough to use the top as a potting bench, leaving me room around it for veggies. The water tank will serve as emergency water storage and as a heat sink to help keep things warm at night. I don't suppose you would be interested in sending me all of your contruction details along with photos? I found Dave's Garden by accident or maybe insiration, man what a find!!! And you have been a great inspiration, Thank you!!!

LariAnn-
Thanks for the picture! Looking forward to seeing more about your new project when you get to it.

sturgsw-
Glad to be of some help. Pretty much all of my pictures and construction detail are in this thread, though I need to get around to posting the final pictures of the dome fully covered and the door installation. If there's some details you have questions about, I could discuss it further, but I'm afraid I've already been a bit overly-explanatory in parts.

Here's the dome covered, awaiting a door.

Tropicalaria,

Well, time flies and here it is nearly a year later. It looks like the www.tekcad.com website is no more at this time. Dave Anderson's blog indicates that the TekCAD website is being re-located, but does not say where or when. I hope to keep track of it when that happens. I am still interested in TekCAD and related "dome-ish" stuff.

http://def-end.blogspot.com/

MM

tropicalaria,

Very nicely done. This is the most complete dome construction info I have seen.
Would you care to provide total cost information so comparisons may be made to other greenhouse possibilities?
I would agree that domes are too cool to worry about price, but it's the economy don't you know.

Thanks for sharing so much,

EP

I would like to know how the pvc has held up all these years? Has there been any degredation from the sun?
Thanks
Julia