Walipini, The Underground Greenhouse

[Gone-and-Back]

I do not know how many people actually know about this great construction idea for a greenhouse, so I wanted to share this with the community.

Caring For Those In Need

Caring For Those In Need

www.bensoninstitute.org

I give you, the Walipini, or the underground greenhouse. The idea is that when dug into the ground far enough, the earth can trap the energy from solar radiation and keep the greenhouse warm enough during the winter months to continue to grow without the need for expensive heating systems. It is a great idea, and it should be implemented more when thinking of building a greenhouse.

Its cost can even range from $200-$300, if your and family or friends build it with volunteer labor. That is a LOT cheaper then building a traditional greenhouse. It is something to look into and consider if anyone wants to build a greenhouse soon.

The above link goes into great detail about the construction process. Its worth the read.

Would love to hear the communities input about this.

 

[Nicita]

This is a great ressource. Thank you very much! I will definitly remember this when it comes to planing a greenhouse. Although I already have a few alterations in mind, to make more growing space, higher durability and some other practical improvements.

 

[Gone-and-Back]

Improvements can always be made, that's for sure. The basic idea is a great one though. I hope bringing this to the attention of this community can help others in their gardening needs. Not to mention a good way of keeping certain plants out of view from potential nosy neighbors!

 

[thymamai]

Inspiring design. It would be a lot of digging, and not work so well in wetland areas so preferably against a hill. But I would definitely want to try this if I had land.

What alterations, Nicita? say off the top of your head? My curiosity is piqued.

 

[sleepypelican]

very cool idea!

i'm not sure it would work to well in the swampy wetlands where i stay, but still very neat

 

[Gone-and-Back]

Yes, the swampy areas would not be the most ideal place to have this. I'm sure you could still make it work though, if there were to be plastic sheeting placed behind the earthen walls, to prevent seepage through them. However, the floor may be an issue. If you were to place sheeting under the floor of it, then the water could not drain out.

If in a swampy area, I would recommend placing plastic sheeting behind all the walls, stretching from the top of the wall to a few feet under the floor. This should help seepage in the walls, and somewhat from the floor. From there I would build small tables to place throughout the room, and place plants in pots onto the tables. This would elevate them from potential flooding.

 

[thymamai]

I have dug into places very wet not far underground, not always necessarily due to climate type, but simply level of the area's water table. East washington for instance is very dry and virtually desert-like, but where there is water anywhere close by it only takes a few feet of excavation before you hit mud. Obviously the design originated out of much warmer climates than E. WA. so what I'm saying is irrelevant. Anyway, I didn't think of plastic sheeting, good idea.

 

[Gone-and-Back]

The same type of sheeting that is used for the roof could be used for the walls. Then just pack a bunch of dirt or cob or something that will hold heat onto the sheeting in a decent thickness.