Root cellars in Florida provide an effective means of extending the shelf life of vegetables and fruits, particularly during Florida’s short growing seasons. Root cellars are popular among Northerners as their winter temperatures rarely dip below freezing, yet can also prove useful in Central Florida where fresh produce doesn’t always keep well at local grocery stores. Root cellars use passive refrigeration systems that use natural insulating properties of ground and air to extend our undoubtedly limited growing seasons deep into wintertime; an ideal root cellar should have temperatures between 35 and 55 degrees F with high humidity of 80-90 percent, good air circulation and good air circulation for maximum freshness!
Root cellars are cool underground storage spaces typically used to preserve fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Root cellars come in all different shapes and sizes depending on what food needs to be stored there as well as local climate conditions; some might be built into hillsides or underground to protect from frost, while others are constructed aboveground with access points that may even include windows for easier use.
As root cellars depend on underground soil to cool and preserve food stored inside them, building one requires some trial and error. Every root cellar differs, so some experimentation may be required in order to establish which areas provide the coolest temperatures while also holding high levels of humidity. Furthermore, certain foods need to be cured first in order to safely store them, so understanding which conditions each vegetable requires before storing is also crucial for success.
Once completed, your cellar should be stocked with foods you intend to store – beginning with vegetables that require curing like potatoes and squash. Be careful handling these foods though as rough handling could damage their skins more rapidly – also be sure to seal off the root cellar as a way of keeping rodents at bay and to put up an entrance cover to protect it further from potential infestation.
To optimize root cellar efficiency, installing wood shelves inside its structure is recommended to prevent produce from touching metal, which conducts heat and shortens storage times. Furthermore, adding adjustable vents may allow cooler air into the cellar when temperatures outside drop; they should also open when temperatures increase in summer to provide cooling breezes.
When building your root cellar, use wood that has been treated with non-toxic waterproofing materials and avoid using pressure-treated wood as these contain chemicals that could leach into stored food items. In addition, add a locking door that protects contents from elements and insects.