How to build an underground green house - Walipini

[Amish Country]

The idea of an (Walipini) underground greenhouse "was developed in South American to help the impoverished people there grow their own food year round by taking advantage of the more constant temperature of the ground." The PDF at the link details the construction of one. I wonder if these may be of benifit to those living in colder climates as well for the same reason?

http://www.bensoninstitute.org/Publication/Manuals/Walipini.pdf

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: How to build an undergorund green house - Walipini

Re: How to build an undergorund green house - Walipini

Interesting concept.

It may work well in areas close the equator where the sun is always overhead, but in northern latitudes, the sun is so low in the winter that you couldn't utilize solar heating with this design. However, doing something similar, but building into the side of a south-facing slope might utilize some of the same advantages.

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[Amish Country]

Re: How to build an underground green house - Walipini

In colder northren lattitudes the heat probably would have to be suplimented and the design modifed to allow more southern light.

 

[Laidback Al]

Re: How to build an underground green house - Walipini

Note that these plans were developed for an underground green house in the southern hemisphere. People implementing this plan in the northern hemisphere will need to reorient the underground greenhouse 180 degrees.