Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
insulation being several inches of soil. Your root cellar can be as elaborate as a full-sized room dug
into the side of a hill, or as simple as a trash can buried in the ground.
Trash Can Root Cellar
This simple technique allows you to create a mini-root cellar if you don't have a basement or large
root cellar. It will also allow you to store different crop items apart from each other. For instance,
you can keep your apples away from your potatoes so everyone will be happy. Best of all, this root
cellar system can be done in a single day, so you'll be able to capitalize on an unexpected bounty or
awesome special you found on bulk veggies at the farmer's market.
To build your trash can root cellar, you need a large trash can with a lid. Don't worry about paying
extra for the cans with wheels because you'll just bury the trash can anyway. It doesn't matter
whether the can is metal or plastic—I've seen these built with both types.
Dig a large hole in the ground in an out-of-the-way location where you won't be walking directly
over the area. You want the trash can to fit well into the hole except for a little gap directly
underneath the trash can to allow moisture or condensation to drain. You can use a drill to create
a couple small holes in the bottom of the trash can to allow any collected water to drain away. The
very top and lid of the trash can will be just above ground level.
After the trash can is buried, you can line the bottom with straw. Then add your veggies or fruits
in milk crates filled with straw or sawdust to keep them insulated. Stack the baskets of crops on top
of each other until the can is full. You can place extra straw around the gaps in the sides, but the
main insulation for your veggies will come from the soil around the trash can.
Place the lid securely on the trash can and cover over the top of it with straw. If you live in an area
with a damp winter, you could cover the top of the lid and straw with a tarp secured with rocks or
bricks.
Check your produce on a regular basis as you would with any root cellar. Look for veggies or fruits
that are getting soft, or showing signs of mold or rot. These should be removed immediately and
eaten if salvageable or added to the compost bin otherwise.
Basement Root Cellar
The most common and familiar setup for a root cellar is a full room underground. Often, this is
a basement area under the house itself. Sometimes it can be a simple dug-out room at the base of
a hill outside the house. Both provide for the crops to be stored in a cool location that is insulated
during the winters from frosts and freezes.
