Root cellars provide an economical, energy-saving way to store fruits and vegetables throughout the year. From turning an old refrigerator or basement into one to creating permanent underground spaces with temperature, humidity and ventilation requirements in mind – root cellars come in all forms!
The easiest and least-expensive option for underground storage is digging a trench as deep and wide as a hay bale’s height, and covering it with straw or tarps for temporary protection from rainwater runoff. However, this method should be avoided in areas that experience frequent rainfall as the moisture-retaining materials may lead to mold or mildew issues. More permanent solutions include installing an underground cellar on a hillside, using an old concrete water tank, or retrofitting an underground septic tank (although these often cost more than trenches or wooden cellars).
Root cellars require four key elements in order to function effectively: insulation, ventilation, moisture control and darkness. Insulation helps maintain consistent temperatures by preventing ethylene gas buildup that would otherwise hasten spoilage; ventilation ensures there’s enough oxygen in the room and keeps decomposing too quickly; moisture control keeps storage conditions from becoming either too damp or too dry – both conditions could damage and rot vegetables and fruits in storage – while total darkness prevents sprouting or other forms of degeneration from taking place in storage space.
If you don’t have access to a basement, an alternative way is converting an already cool, dark corner of a garage or shed into an effective root cellar. Installing foil-backed insulation panels along the walls can help maintain ideal storage conditions; adding fans and digital thermometer/hygrometers are effective tools in monitoring conditions while opening windows can provide passive ventilation.
Locating your root cellar is of utmost importance in order to facilitate accessing stored food throughout the year. A cellar on a hill or slope offers natural ventilation, making it more easily accessible than one built into the side of your house. Soil must be well-drained and dry; gravel or sand layers may be applied, with reinforced cinder block walls for stability and insulation as well as dirt floors used as moisture regulators to prevent fungus growth.
Root cellars built out of underground septic tanks may be more costly, but their durability makes them worthwhile investments that will last decades. When selecting your tank, select one with at least 1,500 gallon capacity for maximum headroom. New septic tanks typically sell for about $3,000 while repurposed ones cost around $4,000. Which type you select will depend on the size and purpose of your garden as well as what kinds of food items will need storing in it.