Planning a Roots Cellar

Root cellars have long been used to store vegetables and fruit fresh throughout winter. Today, homesteaders are turning basements into root cellars while others build them outside their homes – whether old cellars, barns or sheds are used – or building them within. Successful root cellar storage requires careful planning and regular maintenance – any one bad vegetable could ruin an entire crop, while having ideal temperature and humidity conditions inside is key for longevity.

Root cellar temperatures should ideally range between 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit to reduce natural decay and extend its storage life. Humidity requirements vary by food type; carrots require higher levels than squash or potatoes. Before entering a root cellar, potatoes may benefit from curing to harden their skins and seal any cuts, cuts or scratches which allow bacteria to enter and cause foodborne illness.

Planning a root cellar requires knowing the average soil temperature in your area, which you can find by consulting your hydrology map or using tools such as Calypso Farm & Ecology Center’s soil temperature calculator. Furthermore, it’s wise to plan for cold weather during its initial years of operation in case there’s sudden extreme cold; be ready for sudden arctic blasts by moving food storage away from vents and doors temporarily and plugging them.

Tom and Kalin Seatons had only recently discovered homesteading when they constructed an underground root cellar three years ago. Since then, they have used it for storing root vegetables, tomatoes and squash; making gardening and meal prep much simpler.

When planning a root cellar, it’s essential that professional contractors build it for maximum safety and security. A properly-insulated cellar keeps cold air inside while hot air escapes. Furthermore, its roof should feature an arch so condensation won’t drip onto vegetables and cause spoilage.

Experts in soil and water conservation can also be very useful when digging your cellar hole and laying its foundation, to ensure proper berming and drainage for successful root cellaring. Furthermore, an engineer or architect should review your plans to recommend any necessary modifications; alternatively there are pre-manufactured root cellars on the market which can easily be installed into basements or underground locations.


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