A trash can root cellar is an inexpensive, DIY solution to wintertime storage of vegetables and fruits. Ideal for carrots, parsnips, turnips, rutabagas and apples (especially potatoes!), it also makes an effective alternative to expensive underground cellars; many homeowners actually use their garbage can as temporary root storage during renovation projects and discover that its benefits surpass even that of their former cellar!
An inexpensive galvanized garbage can and large tarp are the essential ingredients required to construct an improvised root cellar. Dig a hole that is large enough to accommodate your can, with 4 inches of its lid protrusion above ground level. Fill the bottom of this hole with rock or gravel so surface water does not seep into your trash can, while packing the entire area with straw as insulation. When your trashcan has been buried in its designated spot, cover it with the tarp for additional protection from rainwater seepage as well as wild animals.
Opt for a location with little or no sunlight, avoiding areas where water pools after wet weather, to help keep the soil dry and reduce contamination from fungus or bacteria that could spoil stored produce. A location with slight slope would also provide excellent drainage; soil will move away more quickly from your trash can cellar, decreasing chances of pooling under it and harming its contents.
Dig a hole just larger than your garbage can and allow enough room for at least a foot of straw insulation around its base. The more insulation you add, the better off your trash can root cellar will work.
Once the garbage can is in its new home, make sure it stays dry and warm by covering its top with a tarp secured with rocks, bricks or cinder blocks to protect from being blown away by snow or wind.
Maintaining Cleanliness: Regular inspections of a trash can root cellar are vital in order to keep it free from pests or rodents, while interior surfaces should be disinfected with food-grade disinfectants to remove any residue that could contaminate stored vegetables. Waste removal must also occur promptly so as to stop mold spreading throughout its contents.
Ventilation: Install intake and exhaust vents to allow natural convection; set one intake near the bottom and another near the ceiling for natural convection. Adjust ventilation according to seasonal needs: increase air flow during warmer months for over-humidity prevention while decrease it during colder weather to prevent freezing.
Proper maintenance of a trash can root cellar can ensure that your stored vegetables remain fresh, nutritious, and delicious for as long as possible. With proper care, you can reap the rewards of homegrown vegetables while reducing overpriced, industrially produced produce that uses petrochemical fertilizers at your local supermarket.