Walipini Year‑Round Garden

We line the 40-foot wide growing pit with 330-gallon repurposed syrup tanks (tote tanks). Water has a very high R value and the weight of the water provides stability.

A walipini is an earth-sheltered cold frame. It allows for crops to be grown in a greenhouse-like setting while requiring li􀆩le to no heating. Our variation uses a repurposed shipping container as the anchor structure.

Key Features

A Simple System, Built to Nourish

Lightweight aluminum frame — easy to set up
Full-spectrum LED lighting for year-round growth
Self-feeding drip irrigation — no plumbing needed
100% natural, mineral-based nutrients
Low-maintenance — harvest in just 3 weeks

Roof & Collection

Empowering All Ages to Grow with Purpose

2x10 joists on roof

Plastic above and below (insulation)

Traditional gutters

Tanks used as pit walls

Advantages

From a Single Tent to a Movement

Simple and code-compliant: Shipping containers are structurally sound and often meet local building codes.

Multi-purpose container: Serves as the access point and houses food cleaning and packaging operations.
Flood-resistant access: Entry is above ground through the container door.
Low cost and easily replicable: Affordable materials and design allow for easy duplication across the country by local contractors.
Year-round growing: Supplemented by low-cost LED lights, enabling cultivation even in cold climates.
Proven method: Similar underground systems (e.g., walipinis) have been used in Siberia since the 1950s for citrus production.

High-efficiency growing: We use all-natural hydroponic nutrients to enhance crop nutrition and maximize yields.

Build a Walipini

Join us to create year-round underground gardens.