See how a retired mailman is using his backyard greenhouse in Nebraska to grow oranges in the snow, and without paying for heat.
Tired of fighting to keep your orchards alive through the cold winters? You’re not alone – most farmers have spent years trying every trick in the book, from wall-to-wall soil insulation and expensive greenhouses, only for their crops to perish. It turns out that the answer to this problem may lie in a surprisingly simple solution – Walipini greenhouses.
A Walipini greenhouse is an ingenious structure that utilizes geothermal energy from beneath the Earth’s surface – allowing plant life to thrive even in insanely cold climates. The walls are made up of soil with walls several feet high around it and angled toward the winter sun. This helps keep temperatures inside its walls at a comfortable 65°F (18°C) even when outside temperatures drop below zero. And as well as keeping you warm during colder months, these greenhouses also come with huge financial savings by dramatically cutting utility bills since they use natural heat source throughout winter and store it away during summer.
But what else do you need to know before deciding on investing into a Walipini greenhouse? How much does one cost? How deep does such greenhouse need to be buried? We’ll try our best to give answers for all of these questions here at “How To Use The Earth’s Natural Heat To Grow Oranges In The Snow” article – plus instructions on how can one safely heat their own greenhouse for free during winter.
What Is A Walipini Greenhouse?
A Walipini greenhouse is an innovative structure designed to make local fruits and vegetables available year-round. It is also known as a sunken greenhouse, underground greenhouse, pit greenhouse, or earth-sheltered greenhouse. The design of the Walipini takes advantage of the Earth’s internal heat to warm the structure. The floor is dug down 4 feet below the surface and the roof is slanted toward the south to catch as much sun as possible. This helps to maintain a temperature inside that can reach well into the 80s during the day but drops dramatically at night.
The thermal benefits of using a Walipini are twofold: it stays cool in warm weather and warm in cold weather due to being located below ground level. This helps protect plants from extreme temperatures and allows them to thrive even when outside conditions are not ideal for growing produce. Additionally, because it relies on geothermal energy, it does not require large amounts of electricity or other energy sources for heating and cooling purposes. This makes it an environmentally friendly option for growers who want to reduce their carbon footprint while still producing quality fruits and vegetables year-round.
In addition to its environmental benefits, a Walipini also has practical advantages over traditional greenhouses. For instance, because it is located below ground level, there is less risk of damage from strong winds or hail storms that could otherwise destroy crops if they were grown above ground in a traditional greenhouse setting. Additionally, because there are fewer materials used in its construction than with other types of greenhouses (such as glass), there are fewer costs associated with building one—making them more affordable than other options on the market today.
Finally, since they rely on geothermal energy rather than electricity or gas for heating purposes, they can be installed almost anywhere—even in areas without access to these types of resources—which makes them ideal for growers who may not have access to traditional power sources but still want access to fresh produce year-round without having to worry about damaging their crops due to extreme temperatures outside their control. In short, Walipinis provide an efficient way for growers everywhere—from rural areas all over America’s Midwest region—to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables throughout every season without having large amounts of energy costs associated with their operation or worrying about damaging their crops due extreme weather conditions outside their control
How Much Does A Walipini Greenhouse Cost?
A Walipini greenhouse is an affordable and effective alternative to traditional glass greenhouses. The cost of a Walipini greenhouse can vary depending on the size and materials used, but typically they are much more affordable than glass greenhouses. For example, a 20-foot by 74-foot walipni field model in La Paz cost around $250 to $300. This is significantly less than the cost of a traditional glass greenhouse which can range from several hundred dollars to thousands of dollars.
The cost savings of a Walipini greenhouse come from its design which does not require conventional heat sources or expensive materials like glass. Instead, it uses the earth’s natural insulation properties to keep temperatures warm even during cold winter months. Additionally, the walls are made from inexpensive plastic sheeting that can be easily replaced if it becomes damaged or worn out over time. This makes it an ideal choice for those looking for an affordable way to extend their growing season without breaking the bank.
Another factor that contributes to the affordability of a Walipini greenhouse is its low maintenance requirements. Unlike traditional greenhouses, there is no need for expensive heating systems or complicated ventilation systems as the natural insulation provided by the earth helps keep temperatures consistent throughout the year. Additionally, since these greenhouses are sunk into the ground they don’t require additional support structures like frames or foundations which further reduces construction costs and makes them easier to build and maintain over time.
Overall, Walipinis offer an affordable solution for those looking to extend their growing season without having to invest in expensive materials or complex heating systems like those found in traditional glass greenhouses. With prices ranging from $250-$300 for larger models such as those found in La Paz, these greenhouses provide an economical way for gardeners and farmers alike to enjoy year round harvests without breaking their budget
How Deep Does A Geothermal Greenhouse Need To Be?
Geothermal greenhouses are a great way to extend the growing season for local fruits and vegetables, and can be used to create a more reliable supply of produce year-round. To make sure that the greenhouse is able to maintain a consistent temperature, it needs to be deep enough to avoid the freezing temperatures that occur during the winter. Generally, this means having a depth of at least 12 feet. The pond or lake volume should also be large enough so that it can absorb the energy needed for heating or cooling without significantly affecting water temperature.
Open loop systems are often used in geothermal greenhouses as they allow for greater control over water temperature. This system involves drilling two wells: one well pumps hot water from underground into the greenhouse while another well pumps cold water back into the ground. The hot water is used to heat up air in the greenhouse while cold water is used to cool down air when necessary. This process helps maintain consistent temperatures throughout different seasons and ensures that plants have optimal growth conditions all year round.
Greenhouses require a lot of energy in order to keep them warm during colder months, but geothermal greenhouses are an efficient way of using natural resources like Earth’s internal heat instead of relying on electricity or gas-powered heating systems. By tapping into this natural source of energy, growers can reduce their reliance on external sources and create an environmentally friendly way of maintaining optimal temperatures for their crops all year round without having to worry about high costs associated with traditional heating systems.
In conclusion, geothermal greenhouses need to be at least 12 feet deep in order for them to avoid freezing temperatures during winter months and ensure consistent temperatures throughout different seasons so that plants have optimal growth conditions all year round. Open loop systems allow greater control over water temperature by pumping hot and cold waters from underground into the greenhouse while tapping into Earth’s internal heat provides an environmentally friendly way of maintaining optimal temperatures without having high costs associated with traditional heating systems.
How Warm Is An Unheated Greenhouse In Winter?
An unheated greenhouse in winter can be quite cool. Depending on the climate, nighttime temperatures can drop to below freezing. During the day, temperatures may reach a high of about 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but this is not consistent. For cold-tolerant vegetables such as cabbage and broccoli, this temperature is sufficient for growing during the winter months. However, it is not ideal for warm-season plants or citrus trees which require a minimum nighttime temperature of around 50 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent leaf drop.
Snow removal in an unheated greenhouse can be challenging due to the lack of heat to melt it away quickly. Shedding is often used as a method for snow removal in these structures, where the snow will slide off due to gravity and wind pressure. This technique requires that the roof and sides are angled correctly so that there are no flat surfaces where snow can accumulate and cause damage over time.
Despite the cooler temperatures in an unheated greenhouse during winter months, hardy plants can still be grown with ease. It may take some trial and error before you find which vegetables grow best in your climate area; however once you understand what works best for your environment you will have success with growing crops in your unheated structure year round.
How Can I Heat My Greenhouse For Free In Winter?
One of the most effective ways to heat a greenhouse in winter for free is to use a ground to air heat exchanger. This method takes advantage of the sun’s heat collected during the day and pumps it through a network of pipes below the soil. The thermal mass inside the greenhouse can be strategically positioned to create a heat sink that will absorb energy during daylight hours and slowly release it at night when temperatures drop. Additionally, bubble wrap can be used as an insulation technique for the walls of the greenhouse, helping to maximize warm air capture.
Another way to keep air circulating in your greenhouse even on cold winter days is by using an electric heater with a fan. Heaters intended for garage and workshop spaces are ideal for larger greenhouses, as they provide a steady airflow throughout, eliminating cold spots and maintaining temperature consistency. Air heating is quite cheap and easy to install, but it may not be very effective in extremely cold conditions.
A third option is Citrus in the Snow, which involves placing citrus fruits such as oranges or lemons inside your greenhouse overnight when temperatures are low outside. The warmth from these fruits will help keep your plants warm while also providing them with essential nutrients like vitamin C that they wouldn’t otherwise get from artificial heating methods. This method may take some trial-and-error before you find what works best for your particular climate conditions but can be very beneficial if done correctly.
In conclusion, there are several free ways you can use to heat your greenhouse in winter, including using ground-to-air heat exchangers, electric fans with heaters, and Citrus in the Snow techniques. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on climate conditions so it’s important to do research beforehand so you know which one will work best for you before investing any money into heating solutions