Root cellars provide an effective and affordable means of storing the fruits of your labor. A root cellar provides access to healthy, raw foods while cutting down on store trips; plus you can keep all seasonal produce stored away so it can be enjoyed throughout the year! Plus it makes an ideal space for medicine storage and tools!
Proper ventilation systems are integral to ensuring the success of a root cellar, providing fresh air into the cellar while forcing out any stale air that might build up over time. Proper ventilation also protects food stored there from mildew, mold and other issues which might threaten its content.
To properly ventilate a root cellar, two vents must be installed: an intake vent close to the floor and an exhaust vent near the ceiling. Both should be spaced far apart so you can arrange shelves in such a way as to allow optimal air flow through your cellar; additionally, these should also be closed off in winter to block heat and moisture entering.
Root cellar temperatures should ideally range between 32deg F (0deg C) and 40deg F (4.5deg C), for optimal storage conditions of vegetables and fruit. Temperatures lower than this will drastically shorten shelf life of produce stored there; additionally, slower respiration rates ensure better quality results whereas increased temperatures increases respiratory activity and diminish flavor and texture of produce produced therein.
Root cellar storage life depends upon a number of other factors, including light, odors, and the water content in its surrounding soil or compost. Light can bleach fruits and vegetables quickly leading to rapid rotting; to minimize exposure it’s wise to cover any lights with cardboard or other material to reduce light exposure. Furthermore, strong-smelling vegetables like onions cabbage turnips etc can taint other produce stored there so odorous produce should be placed separately within their own chamber in the cellar.
Root cellars are most effective when built into the ground or an underground pit at least 4 feet deep, while above-ground root cellars typically use sheds, barns or other structures with walls constructed of either masonry or insulation to provide sufficient insulation from cold ground temperatures and seasonal frost.
When using a shed or barn as a root cellar, ensure that its roof is well-insulated against warm air entering during summer. Furthermore, ensure the foundation of the building is solid so as to not be affected by heavy snowfall affecting direct underneath a floor that could disturb or disturb by an underground chamber directly below. A sand or gravel floor would be more stable and durable than concrete in terms of stability and durability.