Root cellars are underground storage areas designed to preserve vegetables and fruit. A simple root cellar could consist of just a barrel buried into the ground, while more sophisticated structures may include rooms built into your home for maximum preservation of produce. Root cellars take advantage of natural temperature fluctuations beneath ground levels as well as higher humidity levels to lengthen its storage life and extend produce’s shelf life.
Root crops and other vegetables should be stored at temperatures ranging between 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit, with an ideal humidity between 85-95%. Both these conditions help avoid mold growth and decomposition – two major contributors to reduced food quality.
Root cellars provide many advantages beyond being used year-round; from cutting down dependence on grocery stores and providing peace of mind during emergencies or disasters to saving energy costs by not needing to refrigerate food items.
Root cellars may work well for certain plants, while others require special techniques in order to stay fresh and vibrant. It is especially important that potatoes and carrots don’t come into direct contact because this produces an ethylene gas which shortens their lives significantly and causes sprouting, wilting, discoloration and other issues – the best way to combat this would be storing each crop separately in your root cellar.
Insulation is often underestimated as a means to protecting cellars against both cold winter temperatures and hot summer heat, helping keep ground temperatures stable while keeping stale air at bay. Installing four inch PVC vent pipes would allow cool air in and stale air out – helping prevent odor build-up and keep out small rodents alike.
Root cellars require regular care and maintenance. It’s essential that stored foods be checked weekly for damage or decaying; this ensures only healthy food remains. Furthermore, curing foods before placing them into storage increases their shelf life significantly.
Alternatively, if you don’t have enough space, try digging a small hole in your yard and setting down a barrel – this DIY solution can accommodate many kinds of produce including root veggies like carrots, beets and parsnips. Insulation may include blankets, sawdust or sand; make sure you put a thermometer inside for monitoring temperatures and humidity levels! For something more complex consider building one out of concrete walls lined with cardboard, sandbags or other non-toxic materials – basement cellars could even work!