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About Applegater. (Jacksonville, OR) 2008-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2018)
Applegater Summer 2018 9 DIRTY FINGERNAILS AND ALL Walipini, a place of warmth BY SIOUX ROGERS Using the earth’s natural underground warmth is not a new concept, but a timeless one. Hmm, do you think plants, such as potatoes, asparagus, and peonies, figured out that going underground in the winter would keep them alive and warm for their spring debut? Walipini, meaning “place of warmth,” is an interchangeable word for underground greenhouse or pit greenhouse. Four to eight feet underground, the earth’s temperature is a stable 50 to 70 degrees. The thermal mass of the surrounding earth plus the passive solar energy account for the stability of the soil. There is documentation of underground structures, called walipinis, being used in South America for a few decades in the early part of the twentieth century. And the use of earth-sheltered greenhouses in the United States was very popular in the late 1800s. The concept, as I understand it, is multifold. Basically, the pit or underground greenhouse is used to extend the growing season for plants needing warmer weather. This means you can extend the growing season for tomatoes, basil, dill, eggplants, some flowers, cucumbers, melons, squashes, etc. Perhaps even grow dwarf citrus trees year-round. It does not freeze that far underground. Plants that do fine in cooler weather, such as cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, spinach, carrots, and even potatoes, has a backhoe. can also Consider thrive in an incorporating underground recycled greenhouse as material or they can be whatever other kept cool in materials are the summer. available. While the Keep in mind underground that materials gardening used must be concept is long-lasting fascinating, Cover your walipini with plastic or underground. i t a l s o glass panels (i.ytimg.com). Materials makes good to consider economic and ecological sense. I have only read about, are native stone and/or cinder blocks. but never constructed, a walipini. Thus, Combine them if necessary. If you’re not this article is exploratory for me and using stone, cinder blocks, or concrete, hopefully interesting and wanna-do-too check with a local hardware store or online about what else might work for below- for you. Building a pit greenhouse sounds grade construction. Placing a French drain is tantamount to daunting, but apparently it is not if one a structurally successful Walipini. A good incorporates a few rules and essentials. Ideally, greenhouses are built four to site to educate yourself about French drains eight feet underground but need to be at is easydigging.com/Drainage/installation_ least five feet above the water table or a french_drain.html. Be creative and do not ever think you can’t ask questions. muddy, sloppy-gloppy mess may ensue. Clearly, as with chicken soup, every This project need not be overwhelming nor expensive. Aside from gathering many builder of a walipini will have a different friends for free labor, nab one friend who recipe. Some designs incorporate a natural Photo, left: Consider native stone, cinder blocks or concrete for walipini walls (permies.com). Photo, right: Framing of a walipini in progress (1.bp.blogspot.com). Applegate Store & Cafe Open 7days a week! Deli & Picnic Supplies Breakfast • Lunch •To-Go Orders Gas • ATM • Espresso Beer & Wine 15095 Hwy 238, Applegate, OR 541-846-6659 Horsefeather Farms Ranchette Guesthouse Stayovers B & B 13291 Hwy 238, Applegate, OR Stay at a real country farm on the Applegate River! Call for information and reservations: 541-941-0000 www.horsefeather-farms-ranchette.com Bring the kids ! Pet friendly ! hill slope. Others Sioux Rogers go straight down with stairs or a ramp. Style and methods will vary with site, exposure, experience, size, and material and labor available. The entire walipini can be completely passive or you can do a few easy but enhancing additions to ensure success. Don’t forget the greenhouse needs to “breathe.” According to greenhousecatalog. com/greenhouse-ventilation, “Ventilation is perhaps the most important component in a successful greenhouse. This is because ventilation serves four major purposes within the greenhouse. First of all, it helps to regulate temperature. It also ensures that your plants get plenty of fresh air that they can use to photosynthesize. Additionally, good ventilation prevents pest infestations and will encourage important pollination within the greenhouse.” In the winter, you can supplement with grow lights or have several black barrels filled with water. The water in the black barrels will warm up and insulate the area while also providing readily available water for the plants. The next decision is what material to use to frame the greenhouse. Well, consider esthetics versus function, available material versus labor, and time versus money. Ideally one would use metal hoops, such as those used in large commercial greenhouses, or wood if it is readily available. Cover with plastic of at least .6 ml and/or glass panels. Be creative; it may not always be necessary to use the commercial material promoted on some websites. Different “recipes” for different folks. Sioux Rogers • 541-890-9876 dirtyfingernails@fastmail.fm
