Amish Root Cellar

Amish farmers use an ancient and tried and true technique known as root cellaring to store fruits and vegetables underground, where their natural cool temperature keeps food fresh for extended storage life. This time-tested practice offers an environmentally-friendly alternative to modern refrigeration systems like fridges or freezers.

Root cellars can be built both below the ground and alongside of houses. Root cellars are typically accessible via either a door in the wall of the cellar, or through a trap door on its floor; often times root cellars can be found under sheds or the rear of houses, though some people build them directly into hillsides for added convenience.

Root cellars must be well sealed to prevent the entry of heat and moisture, otherwise rot will quickly take hold and spoil vegetables quickly. Vents at both ends should also be installed as soon as the cellar is constructed to ensure fresh air can enter freely; and to minimize future issues that may arise from their absence.

“Build Your Own Underground Root Cellar“, by Phyllis Hobson is an excellent guide for building your own root cellar. This easy-to-follow book offers helpful hints and strategies for designing your own cellar.

Dependent upon how your cellar was designed, adding a fan can help ventilate it effectively and reduce condensation levels in the area as well as mold or mildew growth. Especially useful in locations near houses or receiving high winds. Ventilation also serves to lower costs by keeping humidity levels under control in your cellar while simultaneously helping prevent the growth of mold or mildew.

Consider also the temperature of your soil. Soil temperatures depend on both latitude and any running water in the area; utilize a hydrology map to find out what it would mean for the temperature in your cellar.

Root vegetables like carrots and beets should be stored where temperatures are the coldest, while crops like squash or tomatoes benefit from slightly warmer environments. You should monitor both temperature and humidity in your root cellar regularly to make sure it’s working as intended – unwarranted opening could cause fluctuations that shorten its storage lifespan significantly.

If you are serious about creating your own cellar, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with all aspects of this project and obtain quality books on this subject. Although this project will require much time and energy from you, once complete it will provide all the benefits associated with producing produce at an affordable price without needing electricity or ice as storage spaces.


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