Root cellars provide ideal conditions to preserve fresh vegetables and fruit for extended freshness and quality. Their optimal temperature and humidity level helps stop ethylene gas from ripening produce releasing, microorganism growth that cause spoilage or decomposition, moisture loss due to withering and prevent ethylene gas release from ripening produce releasing. Traditionally a root cellar would consist of a room below ground; however an attic, basement, or any building can serve as root cellar storage space as well.
No matter the structure you select, it’s crucial that you carefully plan out its layout and design before beginning construction. Once you have an understanding of its size and location, footers must be installed on which your walls will stand securely over time.
As your next step in constructing a root cellar, the next step should be constructing its walls. There are various methods you can employ here, but one of the cheapest and fastest is earthbag construction – using filled sand bags stacked and tamped down like building blocks along rows. With practice and help from one or two others, earthbag walls can typically be constructed within three hours with limited effort needed.
Another option for digging a pit in the ground is to excavate it yourself. To achieve this goal, select an area with good drainage and partial shade; trenches with sloped bottoms work best as these promote drainage while decreasing chances of future leaks.
Once your hole is dug, it’s a wise idea to add crushed rock as filler material for extra stability and to prevent water seepage from seeping into your cellar and ruining your harvest. This will also prevent it from seeping into it from outside sources and spoiling it!
Install a ventilation system in your cellar that brings fresh air from outside and releases any stale air that accumulates, as this is essential for healthy conditions and long-term success. If possible, consider situating it near windows so you can bore holes for ventilation pipes to pass through them.
Find an old refrigerator or chest freezer to use as the foundation for your root cellar, budget-friendly and easy to install – just ensure all food materials and materials from within are removed before beginning digging!
Once the frame of your root cellar is in place, it’s time to add insulation and complete its final touches. A sloping roof is essential to proper ventilation as well as keeping heat outside the cellar. In addition, install doors and exhaust fans. If pouring concrete isn’t your cup of tea, a precast basement cellar kit may provide the solution you need – just be sure to contact your local building department beforehand in order to comply with legal requirements before beginning construction! A successful root cellar build makes all the difference when it comes to cultivating delicious crops all year round!