Anybody who has/built a Walpini?

[Chicks Galore3]

For those of you who looked into this thread because you thought, "What the heck is a Walpini?!?!" It is an underground greenhouse for year around gardening. Now you can continue your browsing and have learnt your something new everyday.

ANYWAY

I found out about walpinis (spelling? Walapini maybe?) and am enthralled. I want to build one this summer!!! I've got a few questions.
What type of plastic are we talking about for the roof? Like, sheet plastic or more down the plexi-glass plastic road? Do you need a specific type of plastic?
Will this work in Northern Iowa?
How deep? Is 6' deep enough?
I am thinking about a 10'x10'...is that big enough to be warm enough?
Am I crazy to think about maybe hand digging it?!?! I do have access to a backhoe-ing neighbor. That would be easier and saner, huh?
Do you have problems with deer walking on it?
Any tips for keeping it warm?
How do you access it? Besides a slide. That'd be awesome.

What can you grow in one of these babies?

I HOPE someone has heard of a Walpini! Even if you can't answer my specific questions, or just have an answer to even 1, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEEEEASE post anything you know, or a picture of your Walpini!


THANK YOU!!!!!!!

 

[boskelli1571]

Never heard of 'em!! Have you looked on Mother Earth news site? If anyone has info they do.....sounds interesting. I would be concerned about dampness/flooding.

 

[Chicks Galore3]

Thank you for the suggestion! I will check that out.

 

[R2elk]

For those of you who looked into this thread because you thought, "What the heck is a Walpini?!?!" It is an underground greenhouse for year around gardening. Now you can continue your browsing and have learnt your something new everyday.

Here are some links found via google.

http://www.forcedgreen.com/2010/08/diy-underground-greenhouse/

http://www.inspirationgreen.com/pit-greenhouses.html

http://www.readypreparedness.com/year-round-gardening-in-an-underground-greenhouse/

Hope some of this helps. It is an interesting idea. Good luck.

 

[Chicks Galore3]

Thank you! I looked on Google but couldn't find much...apparently I didn't look hard enough.

 

[DaveOmak]

I saw one on u=tube a few months back... don't remember what they called it... It was very elaborate....

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=below ground greenhouse&sm=12

 

[boskelli1571]

Try www.permies.com The dude on there is building a Wofati house with greenhouse etc.