Root cellars can help protect vegetables, fruits and other foods from spoilage while extending their storage lifespan. Root cellars can be constructed in many ways that best suit different situations – from digging into hillsides to using an old shipping container as its structure. It may even be possible to retro-fit one into an existing basement; though this tends to be more challenging.
Root cellar success depends upon its proper placement: in an ideal situation, this would mean choosing an area with low rainfall that features both slope and drainage for proper airflow; ideally on the cool side of your home ideally with excellent internal temperatures while protecting against frost damage.
To prevent mold growth in a cellar, optimal humidity levels of 85-95% must be reached to dissipate ethylene gas that prematurely ripens produce. Ventilation must also play an integral part; cold air should enter but warm air must exit without creating such high temperatures that rot or mildew is formed.
As well as temperature and moisture requirements, an ideal root cellar location should also be convenient. An easily accessible cellar makes going out there less of a task during frigid winter evenings or rainstorms, encouraging regular usage. Setting it up near your garden or harvesting area or within reach of your kitchen would be wise.
Root cellars typically sit tucked into the side of a hill for easy entry and natural cold food storage, though building one under a deck or even turning an existing basement into one is also viable options if insulated and ventilated correctly.
Create an effective root cellar on a budget with an innovative yet budget-conscious solution: use an old tin trash can. This innovative solution is particularly suited to those living off-farm who don’t have space for an underground cellar; all it requires is digging a hole that fits your can before surrounding it with cinder blocks for stabilization; you are then ready to fill and store food items!
An effective root cellar can also be created easily in any corner of your garage or even an old refrigerator. Meg Cowden, author of Plant, Grow, Harvest, Repeat created her root cellar out of an unheated compartment in her Minnesota garage which features an open vent to outside air; this allowed for optimal temperature and humidity conditions without disrupting her otherwise well-insulated garage space.
For in-depth guidance on building a root cellar, there are various books available. Mike and Nancy Bubel’s “Root Cellaring” is considered a classic on this subject; other similar publications can also be found online for under $5 each. Phyllis Hobson published her DIY guide “Build Your Own Underground Root Cellar” back in 1983 but remains an invaluable source.