Gardening & Nature
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/9/4/23943812/288763.jpg)
Winter always makes me crave greenery. I have been watching gardening shows, and am getting plans together to build a “walipini” or underground greenhouse. Up here in the mountains, the underground aspect will help extend the very short growing season, and also help keep critters out. I love the looks of a Victorian glass greenhouse, but, alas, they are not a practical alternative for me.
Getting back to the walipini, I found some instructions online (http://www.bensoninstitute.org/Publication/Manuals/Walipini.pdf) and they can be made with some sweat equity and very little cash outlay. This is basically a hole in the ground with a plastic cover/roof at an angle that allows the most winter sun to penetrate. I'm thinking of a modified version, with polycarbonate panels instead of plastic sheeting, due to snow load. I'm also planning to put in a cold sink, both to help protect the plants from colder temperatures, and also as an excess moisture drain. I also heard of a really great idea to put an insulated tarp on guy wires just inside the roof, so that it can be easily raised or lowered as needed, to give added insulation when needed. I'm still in the planning stages, and am considering putting a gutter around the roof, and run that rainwater into barrels for added mass, and also to water the plants with.
I'm also thinking of modifying the plans to add a chicken coop to the back. Connected with an above ground fenced run by a ramp, this might be a way to help the chickens stay warm over the winter months. Might be an experiment to try....
Getting back to the walipini, I found some instructions online (http://www.bensoninstitute.org/Publication/Manuals/Walipini.pdf) and they can be made with some sweat equity and very little cash outlay. This is basically a hole in the ground with a plastic cover/roof at an angle that allows the most winter sun to penetrate. I'm thinking of a modified version, with polycarbonate panels instead of plastic sheeting, due to snow load. I'm also planning to put in a cold sink, both to help protect the plants from colder temperatures, and also as an excess moisture drain. I also heard of a really great idea to put an insulated tarp on guy wires just inside the roof, so that it can be easily raised or lowered as needed, to give added insulation when needed. I'm still in the planning stages, and am considering putting a gutter around the roof, and run that rainwater into barrels for added mass, and also to water the plants with.
I'm also thinking of modifying the plans to add a chicken coop to the back. Connected with an above ground fenced run by a ramp, this might be a way to help the chickens stay warm over the winter months. Might be an experiment to try....