Root cellars
Basement
A basement or cellar is one or more floors of a building that are either completely or partially below the ground floor.
What is a root cellar?
Wiki says a root cellar is “ a structure, usually underground or partially underground, used for storage of vegetables, fruits, nuts, or other foods.
Why do farmers put food in root cellars?
A few crops even keep better in low humidity. Root cellars keep food from freezing during the winter and keep food cool during the summer to prevent spoilage. Typically, a variety of vegetables are placed in the root cellar in the autumn, after harvesting.
Does a root cellar need ventilation?
Every root cellar must have proper air flow and ventilation. If you have cool temperatures, high humidity, and stagnant air, you’ll end up with too much moisture in your modern root cellar and rotten food. Therefore, make sure you have a ventilation system in your root cellar set-up.
Can I build a root cellar in my basement?
They require little to no energy to use and very little maintenance. You can build in a root cellar when your home is under construction, but it’s also possible to add a root cellar to your basement, or build one outside your home. What is a root cellar? Root Cellar Location – In the Basement or Buried Outside?
How long does food last in root cellar?
four to six monthsThe cool, humid environment in a root cellar lets most foods last longer than other storage methods. It highly depends on what crops you store, but they will last anywhere from two to nine months, with an average being four to six months.
How effective are root cellars?
A root cellar preserves food because it is both cool and humid – the soil underground keeps the space above freezing temperature and the moisture in the air prevents vegetables from losing water and becoming rubbery. The key is cool, with an ideal cellar temperature range somewhere between 32 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
How cold are root cellars?
Root Cellar Requirements To work properly, a root cellar must be able to hold a temperature of 32º to 40ºF (0° to 4.5°C) and a humidity level of 85 to 95 percent. This means that root cellars may not work in warm, southern climates.
Does a root cellar need ventilation?
There are five major elements that a root cellar requires: Ventilation: Some fruits and vegetables give off ethylene gas, which can cause other produce to spoil. Also, a tightly sealed cellar will increase the risk of mold. Make sure fresh air can get in, stale air can get out, and air can circulate around the produce.
How long will potatoes keep in a root cellar?
5-8 monthsWith a good in-ground root cellar, potatoes can be stored for 5-8 months. As a sustainable alternative to refrigerated or electrically cooled storage for crops needing cool damp conditions, traditional root cellars are a good option.
Can I store meat in a root cellar?
Related Questions. Can you store meat in a root cellar? Meat should not be stored in a root cellar since the optimal temperature is above freezing. Meat will quickly rot if not kept in sub-freezing temperatures.
What is a good size for a root cellar?
Size. A root cellar doesn't need to be large. A five-by-eight space can hold up to 30 bushels—more than enough for most families. To maximize storage and to keep things organized, install slatted shelves along the walls.
How long will Apples last in a root cellar?
Almost any kind of apple will keep for three or four months, or even longer, if stored properly. It's cheap and easy to do. All you need is newspaper, a box or basket, and apples. A root cellar is optional, but not necessary.
Can you store canned goods in a root cellar?
A root cellar or cool, dry basement is the ideal spot for storing canned food. If you don't have those options, there are still plenty of spaces within the home to store your canning jars.
How do I keep mice out of my root cellar?
Consider sprinkling peppermint or spearmint inside of your cellar. The visitors hate it. You could also boil some mint in water and put it in a spray bottle. Spritz your root cellar with the minty mist for an added layer of protection.
How deep does a root cellar have to be?
How deep does a root cellar need to be? In order for temperatures to remain a stable 32º to 40ºF (0° to 4.5°C), a root cellar needs to be at least 10′ (3m) deep in most soils. However, in sandy, loamy, or dry soil, you often need to dig deeper.
How do you keep water out of a root cellar?
How to Waterproof a Root CellarStep 1: Elevate the surface outside of the home. ... Step 2: Well Maintained Downspouts and Gutters. ... Step 3: Landscaping Issues. ... Step 4: Waterproofing Walls. ... Step 5: Install a Sump Pump. ... Step 6: Use a French Drain. ... Step 8: Install a Hydroclay System.
How deep is a root cellar?
How deep does a root cellar need to be? In order for temperatures to remain a stable 32º to 40ºF (0° to 4.5°C), a root cellar needs to be at least 10′ (3m) deep in most soils. However, in sandy, loamy, or dry soil, you often need to dig deeper.
Can a root cellar be used as a refrigerator?
Because soil is a poor conductor of heat, the temperature only a couple of feet underneath the ground generally remains cool and constant throughout the year. So, root cellars are great places to store food because of the stable, cool temperatures that essentially act like natural refrigerators.
How do you keep a root cellar from flooding?
Root cellars can be constructed out of heavy-duty plastic or galvanized metal garbage cans to avoid moisture and flooding issues. This simple technique requires a hole dug to the size of the can, which is placed directly into the hole with the top 3 to 4 inches above ground.
Can I use my basement as a root cellar?
If you have a basement, you can construct a root cellar fairly easily. You just need to wall off a basement corner and add vents to allow cold air to flow in and warm air to flow out.
What is root cellar?
Wiki says a root cellar is “ a structure, usually underground or partially underground, used for storage of vegetables, fruits, nuts, or other foods. “. Dig a deep enough hole, and you’ll find that the ground is cool (and often moist).
How to measure root cellar performance?
Track temperature and humidity to measure your root cellar performance. Don't open the root cellar unless you have to, unless the entry is protected. Letting heat in or very cold dry air in will reduce the storage life of your fruits and vegetables.
Why is it bad to store food in an underground cellar?
This is bad because some foods give off ethylene gas, which speeds ripening (and rotting). A root cellar that is too airtight may also build up excess humidity, leading to mold and mildew.
How to keep a root cellar warm?
A north facing door is preferred, to avoid sun beating in and heating your cellar up. Try for at least one to two feet of soil covering the root cellar. Consider a pre-made option such as a septic tank or large pre-cast culvert. Otherwise use materials that are rot resistant and can stand the weight of wet soil.
How much does it cost to build a root cellar?
The cost of a root cellar varies widely. If you build a underground sandbag root cellar yourself it can be as little as $500 but most will cost $2500 to $25,000+. The more soil there is insulating the root cellar the closer you get to ground temperature.
Where to store root vegetables?
Most root vegetables store best in the root cellar if they are wiped off rather than washed. Wipe excess dirt off of carrots, beets, rutabagas and turnips and store them in lightly dampened leaves or straw. Use fresh leaves each year to prevent potential pathogen buildup.
What is above ground root cellar?
Above ground root cellars are usually partly sunken with earth mounded on 3 sides and the door avoiding the direct sun. See the Above Ground Root Cellars post for more information.
Why is root cellaring important?
Root cellaring has been vitally important in various eras and places for winter food supply. Although present-day food distribution systems and refrigeration have rendered root cellars unnecessary for many people, they remain important for those who value self-sufficiency, whether by economic necessity or by choice and for personal satisfaction. Thus they are popular among diverse audiences, including gardeners, organic farmers, DIY fans, homesteaders, preppers, subsistence farmers, and enthusiasts of local food, slow food, heirloom plants, and traditional culture.
What was the root cellar made of?
Most root cellars were built using stone, wood, mortar (cement), and sod. Newer ones may be made of concrete with sod on top.
What are some things that can be stored in a root cellar?
Apples are one of the crops that give off enough ethylene gas to hasten the overripening or spoilage of other crops stored nearby, although this effect is variable and many farms successfully store vegetables without segregating their apples. Water, bread, butter, milk, and cream are sometimes stored in the root cellar. Items such as salad greens, fresh meat, and jam pies are kept in the root cellar early in the day to keep cool until they are needed for supper.
How to build a cellar?
Common construction methods are: 1 Digging down into the ground and erecting a shed or house over the cellar (access is via a trap door in the shed). 2 Digging into the side of a hill (easier to excavate and facilitates water drainage). 3 Building a structure at ground level and piling rocks, earth, and/or sod around and over it. This may be easier to build on rocky terrain where excavation is difficult.
What temperature do potato roots need to be?
Many crops keep longest just above freezing (32-35 degrees Fahrenheit or 1-3 degrees Celsius) and at high humidity (90–95%), but the optimal temperature and humidity ranges vary by crop, ...
What is the purpose of digging into the side of a hill?
Digging into the side of a hill (easier to excavate and facilitates water drainage).
Can plants survive in a cellar?
In some cases plants are transplanted from the field to the dirt floor of a cellar in autumn, and they then continue living in the cellar for months. The fact that they cannot thrive or grow larger in the low-light, low-temperature conditions is not a problem; the only objective is to keep them alive instead of dead, thus warding off decomposition. This is a form of season extension in which the growing season is not extended but the harvest season is substantially extended.
How does a root cellar work?
The cellar works by using the earth to preserve the temperature, light, and humidity. A root cellar works best when the temperature is between 32* and 40* Fahrenheit. The humidity levels are best when at 85 to 95 percent. For the root cellar to succeed it needs: great ventilation, darkness, and humidity.
What is a Root Cellar?
A root cellar is any kind of storage location that uses the earth to naturally cool, insulate, and humidify. One huge benefit of a root cellar offers is a natural way to keep your food from freezing in the winter time and keep them cool in the summer time.
Why is temperature important for root sellers?
The temperature is a huge asset to the root seller. Controlled temperature allows for the ethylene gas to release slowly. This process allows for the growth of microorganisms that create the decomposition process to completely stop and allow the food to be preserved.
What vegetables can be stored in a root cellar?
Root vegetables like: carrots, turnips, beets, parsnips, potatoes, and other root vegetables are what are best stored in a root cellar. So the next time you find a great price on can time, you can stockpile. Think canned food, medicine, produce, and tools as great options. It can be used a shelter from tornadoes, ...
Why is root cellar important?
When you create you root cellar, it is vital that you control the light exposure. Light is going to be one of the largest enemies to food storage. The problem is that light will bleach out the colors of the nutrient and value of the food.
What are the common mistakes people make when designing a root cellar?
According to Common Sense Home, one of the most common mistakes that people make when designing/installing a root cellar is forgetting ventilation. The problem is that a room can become too airtight and this can build up excess humidity.
How to keep mice out of a room?
Common Sense Home suggests using at least two vents that are about 3-4 inches in diameter and screen up the vents to keep the mice out. Run one of the vents up top of the room to exhaust stale air and ethylene gas. The second vent can be vented down near the floor of the room. This helps to drop in fresh air.
WHAT EXACTLY IS A ROOT CELLAR AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
I am not the type to assume that every one of you knows what a root cellar is. Some of you could be hearing about it for the first time and are wondering what it could be.
What do you need for a root cellar?
A root cellar does not necessarily have to be fancy to meet your needs. All you need is a storage space that can be covered with earth. One of the cellars is built from cinder block or cement and covered on three sides, leaving one side of the door.
What temperature should a root cellar be?
For more effectiveness, certain conditions have to be maintained inside the root cellar itself. The temperature should be between 32 0 and 40 0 F while the humidity levels should be between 85 and 95 percent.
What do you need to dig a hole?
What you need is a shovel for digging, buckets for storage, and the strength to dig. The buckets full of potatoes and veggies are placed in the hole, a wooden door is used to cover the hole, and then the organic matter is used as cover. This provides the necessary insulation.
What factors ensure longer fresh produce?
All the factors that ensure longer fresh produce are considered too. That includes humidity and proper ventilation. And for the tidy arrangement of materials inside, storage shelves can be mounted into place.
Can earthbags be used for root cellars?
There is just a certain thing about earthbags that makes them quite appealing for root cellars. They form a pretty cheap construction material, and sand or any soil can be filled into bags and then stacked together into a desired shape.
Can you use a root cellar in a septic tank?
If your storage property happens to be located in a hilly area, and you have access to a concrete septic tank, then this root cellar could match your storage needs.
Root Cellaring Basics
There are three basic conditions a root cellar should provide. The closer you come to matching these ideal conditions in your vegetable-storage area, the better your vegetables will keep.
The Root Cellar For You
The kind of root cellar you build or adapt will depend on the floor plan of your house, the lay of your land and the temperatures and snow cover in your area.
An Excavated Root Cellar
As we mentioned before, there are many options when it comes to root cellaring. But unless you’re lucky enough to have an existing usable structure or live in a warm climate where a garden row is a good choice, you’ll want to consider an excavated root cellar.
Other Keys to Root Cellar Success
Now that you know how to construct your root cellar, a few hints on how to make the most of it:
Why do people build root cellars?
Our ancestors built root cellars to keep their produce fresh without refrigeration. These days you may want to consider making a modern root cellar, as it is still a viable option to store large harvests, saves you electricity, and some types can even double as a storm shelter.
What is an inground root cellar?
An inground root cellar is what pops in most people’s minds when considering a root cellar. This style of cellar is either dug directly into the ground or in the side of a hill.
What temperature should a root cellar be?
A root cellar is an area which can maintain a temperature (ideally) between 32° Fahrenheit and 40° Fahrenheit. If you don’t have an area which can maintain these cool temperatures, aim for an area which can stay between 40° Fahrenheit and 50° Fahrenheit.
How to maintain humidity in root cellar?
This will let you know if you’re in range or not. The best way to maintain proper humidity in a root cellar is to add dirt floors. This allows you to spray the dirt with water when you need more moisture in the air.
How many types of root cellars are there?
There are three main types of root cellars to choose from. They each serve a different purpose, and you may find you could incorporate more than one type of root cellar in your food storage system. Here are the options to choose from:
What would happen if the root cellar pipe was at the bottom?
Therefore, the pipe at the bottom of the root cellar wall would allow cool air to come in. This would keep air circulating.
How to keep cold air out of root cellar?
Use anything you can to keep the air flowing through your cellar. Be sure you add screens to your vents to keep unwanted visitors out of your root cellar and be sure you have a way to open and close the vents when winter comes, as you must keep freezing temperatures out of your root cellar.
Why do we need a root cellar?
Starting a root cellar garden is one of the best ways to give your family independence, nutritious meals, and security during lean times – whether that’s the winter or during a national crisis like the coronavirus pandemic. While you could just toss your crops in a cool area and call it a day, to make the most of your root cellar, ...
How to make the most of a root cellar?
While you could just toss your crops in a cool area and call it a day, to make the most of your root cellar, you need to choose plants that do well in long term storage. Then, you need to know the right way to harvest and prepare those plants.
How cold does a root cellar stay?
A good root cellar stays around 45°F with humidity around 90%. It also needs ventilation and some shelves to store your fruits and veggies.
Why do you space out vegetables?
There is a reason we recommend that you space them out. Vegetables that are in a pile generate heat, which in turn may lead to spoiling. Check your vegetables regularly, and immediately remove any with signs of rot. From the lessons of the root cellar comes the saying, “One rotten apple spoils the whole barrel!”.
Why should apples be wrapped in newspaper?
Apples and pears both do well in the root cellar with some forethought. They should be wrapped in newspaper to inhibit the release of ethylene gas because the ethylene can cause other produce to go bad.
Can you store garlic and onions in root cellar?
Hang them from the root cellar ceiling or place them individually on the top shelf. Onions and garlic must be cured before storing. Don’t store them near root crops .
Overview
A root cellar (American English) or earth cellar (British English) is a structure, usually underground or partially underground, used for storage of vegetables, fruits, nuts, or other foods. Its name reflects the traditional focus on root crops stored in an underground cellar, which is still often true. A wide variety of foods can be stored for weeks to months, depending on the crop and conditions. Th…
Function
Root cellars are for keeping food supplies at controlled temperatures and steady humidity. Many crops keep longest just above freezing (32–35 °F (0–2 °C)) and at high humidity (90–95%), but the optimal temperature and humidity ranges vary by crop, and various crops keep well at temperatures further above near-freezing but below room temperature, which is usually 65–70 °F (18–21 °C). A …
Construction
Common construction methods are:
• Digging down into the ground and erecting a shed or house over the cellar (access is via a trap door in the shed).
• Digging into the side of a hill (easier to excavate and facilitates water drainage).
• Building a structure at ground level and piling rocks, earth, and/or sod around and over it. This may be easier to build on rocky terrain where excavation is difficult.
Regional variations
Historian Sean Cadigan writes, "Newfoundland and Labrador's climate and soil have not been conducive to agriculture, but outport isolation and poor incomes in the fishery have made supplementary farming crucial." Growing enough vegetables to last the winter was imperative to the survival of Newfoundlanders in the past. Without refrigerators, root cellars were one of the few methods to preserve their bounty. Most people grew root vegetables: potatoes, carrots, turnip, c…
See also
• Basement
• Spring house
• Canning
• Grubhut
• Larder
Bibliography
• Bubel, Nancy; Bubel, Mike (1991), Root Cellaring: Natural Cold Storage of Fruits and Vegetables, ISBN 978-0882667034, OCLC 40137781.
• Coleman, Eliot (2009), The Winter Harvest Handbook: Year-Round Vegetable Production Using Deep-Organic Techniques and Unheated Greenhouses, Photography by Barbara Damrosch, Vermont, USA: Chelsea Green Publishing, ISBN 978-1603580816, OCLC 262883165.