Earthbag root cellars provide an eco-friendly way to store food. Their food will remain fresh and healthy through winter without needing electricity or refrigeration; in addition, the cellar helps you limit pesticide contamination of your food supply.
An earthbag cellar is an effective way of protecting food against fungus and diseases that threaten its quality and freshness. Eggs and dairy, for instance, remain fresher when stored here than they would be stored in the fridge, where their quality may deteriorate quickly. Furthermore, its cool, dark environment helps safeguard it against insects, molds, and parasites as well.
Make an earthbag cellar for less than $100 by purchasing sand bags at home improvement stores and filling them with soil before stacking like bricks. It is much less costly than creating a conventional root cellar using concrete blocks.
Root cellars have become more and more popular as they don’t require concrete foundations, allowing homeowners to customize the size and layout of their cellar based on how much food will need to be stored there. Many use converted basements or old chest freezers as root cellars – though for optimal results it should remain free from heat sources like furnaces and stoves.
Temperature and humidity levels in a root cellar are essential to the preservation of produce. Garlic, onions, squash and cucumbers prefer lower levels of humidity to protect them from rotting at higher levels; cabbage, beets and potatoes thrive with 80 to 90% relative humidity levels. Finally, ventilation must be included within the cellar in order to introduce cold air while also dissipating any ethylene gas that might be produced by fruits and vegetables that release ethylene gas into the atmosphere.
DIY root cellars can be constructed using earthbags, cinderblocks or simply dug from the earth itself. Before beginning construction it is essential to thoroughly clear out the area to remove any large stones or other debris that could accidentally make its way into the bags during assembly. Furthermore, covering it with thick layers of hay or straw may help decrease moisture in the ground by trapping air inside its layers.
Root cellars can help save money on food by preserving crops grown on your own and eliminating refrigeration needs. They’re also an easy and sustainable way to reduce greenhouse gases from traveling over 1,500 miles for your favorite Chilean apples or Argentine soybeans to the grocery store – giving your family greater exposure to toxic chemicals found in today’s industrial farming industry and supporting local farmers! Creating your own root cellar could provide huge cost-savings while supporting local agriculture as it supports your own local farmers as well.