Walipini or Pit Greenhouse
The walipini, also called a pit greenhouse, is built partly underground. The walls are framed in concrete or stone below ground level, and the roof sits at or near ground level. The earth around the structure acts as natural insulation, which keeps the interior cooler in summer and warmer in winter than an above-ground greenhouse. The walipini is most useful in southern climates with infrequent snow and significant summer heat. The cooling effect of the earth is the design’s biggest advantage, and the energy savings over a season can be significant. Gardeners in hot regions sometimes find a walipini the only practical way to grow tender crops through the worst summer weeks. The downsides are real. A pit greenhouse receives less light in the early morning and late afternoon because the sun’s low angle is blocked by the surrounding earth. Excavation costs and permitting can be significant. Drainage matters more than with any other greenhouse style; a poorly drained pit fills with water in heavy rain. And because the roof sits at ground level, pets, livestock, and people can damage the roof or fall into the structure by walking on it. Most installations include a perimeter rail or warning markers for safety.
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