Root cellars provide an effective means of food storage without refrigeration, enabling you to preserve fresh vegetables and fruits for months or years, saving money on food costs while cutting waste and increasing energy independence by decreasing electric usage.
Root cellars must possess four essential elements for their effectiveness: insulation, ventilation, moisture control and darkness. Insulation helps maintain consistent temperatures to minimize ethylene gas from ripening produce while ventilating allows air circulation while preventing mold growth. Moisture control is critical as too dry crops shrivel while too wet cause them to rot; while complete darkness slows sprouting of root vegetables while protecting their nutritional quality; an adequately-insulated space and shelving help minimize heat loss.
Root cellars come in all forms, but one of the most popular is to create an underground room. This can range from something as basic as a wooden-framed room buried in the ground to an entire building dug out into a hillside; some people even build them under stairs leading down into their basements! What matters most when choosing a location for a root cellar is being protected from sunlight and easily accessible during winter.
Some root cellars feature sophisticated thermometers and hygrometers to monitor temperature and humidity levels, while a simpler option would be using an old refrigerator or freezer lined with plastic, sand or straw to provide insulation and maintain low temperatures. Some people also store their root cellar foods in crates, tubs or wooden sheds.
Once you have chosen both size and location for your root cellar, the next step should be planning its construction process. If digging into a hillside is your choice, ensure the area offers sufficient drainage while being away from any septic systems or running water systems. Furthermore, footers (poured concrete pieces that hold walls together over time) must also be added.
Root Cellaring: Natural Cold Storage of Fruits and Vegetables by Mike and Nancy Bubel is an authoritative root cellar guide, offering detailed instruction on how to store foods properly with specific temperature and humidity recommendations for different kinds of veggies. Available through Rodale Press, there are also plenty of online resources that can assist in selecting an area for your cellar and beginning its construction project. Once up and running, you’ll be able to store plenty of delicious veggies while making home-canned pickles, ferments and broths of your own making – the possibilities truly are limitless! Good luck and have fun!