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).
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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
