Food Storage-'Root Cellars'-Underground Storage

Detailed lists from various sources with notes, ideas and hints on all aspects of starting, organizing and using your food storage. Including Buckets, mylar bags, oxy absorbers, shelf life, packaging codes, storage solutions & MORE!
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Food Storage-'Root Cellars'-Underground Storage

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Garbage Can Root Cellar

:!: NOTE: This is an archived post from the American Preppers Network. The original post is no longer available

Thanks to Anne, PlanforPandemic, for this suggestion!
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Garbage can root cellar
Original post can be found at: (Dead Link Removed)

I was reviewing my personal bird flu notes and and came across these instructions. I don't remember where I got them from.

Consider burying a galvanized garbage can in the ground to create your own "root cellar." The root cellar keeps potatoes, carrots, beets, turnips, and apples through the winter. Bury the can upright with 4 in. or so of the top protruding above ground level.

Place the garbage can on a well-drained site, and make a ditch so surface water will be diverted and not run into the container. Make sure the can has a good lid, and cover the lid with straw. Over the straw put a waterproof cover of canvas or plastic.

Put veggies and fruits in perforated polyethylene bags. Root crops like beets, carrots, and turnips should not be put into storage until late fall. Don't store carrots near apples because the apples give off gases that make the carrots bitter. Avoid bruising veggies to prevent rot. Also, I don't recommend sweet potatoes for the "root cellar" because the dampness causes them to decay.
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Re: Root Cellars-Homemade Versions

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Garbage can root cellar

Source: http://www.thefoodguys.com/

Consider burying a galvanized garbage can in the ground to create your own "root cellar." The root cellar keeps potatoes, carrots, beets, turnips, and apples through the winter. Bury the can upright with 4 in. or so of the top protruding above ground level.

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Place the garbage can on a well-drained site, and make a ditch so surface water will be diverted and not run into the container. Make sure the can has a good lid, and cover the lid with straw. Over the straw put a waterproof cover of canvas or plastic.

Put veggies and fruits in perforated polyethylene bags. Root crops like beets, carrots, and turnips should not be put into storage until late fall. Don't store carrots near apples because the apples give off gases that make the carrots bitter. Avoid bruising veggies to prevent rot. Also, I don't recommend sweet potatoes for the "root cellar" because the dampness causes them to decay.
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Re: Root Cellars-Homemade Versions

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Root Cellar-General Info & Metal Trash Can Version

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http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/About/farmlife/home/root-cellars.asp

Excerpt:

A root cellar is nothing more than some sort of underground containment — even a container buried in the ground works. The warmth of the surrounding earth keeps the vegetables (root crops) inside the container free from frost. It needn’t be elaborate, because a dirt floor is actually ideal. The dampness of the earth provides the moisture that most root crops need. A vent pipe in the top is a good idea, but don’t let that complication keep you from simply burying a garbage can out back and then covering it with straw and a layer of plastic. Even an old refrigerator with the latch removed and then laid on its back in a hole the size and depth of the refrigerator will work. (Removing the latch is essential in case a curious kid decides to play hide-and-seek there. It’s also essential to pick up an old refrigerator or chest freezer from an appliance shop that has had the motor, and hence the cooling gases, removed.)

For most crops, the ideal temperature ....... (Continued at link, above)
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Re: Root Cellars-Homemade Versions

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Root Cellars-General Information

University of Illinois

Storing Vegetables-Freshness Is in Store
http://urbanext.illinois.edu/tog/storing.cfm

A box in the basement or a garbage can buried outdoors can provide an excellent and inexpensive means of food preservation. Whether homegrown or store-bought, many vegetables can be stored for several weeks when kept under proper conditions.

Extra vegetables should be kept in the ground for as long as weather permits. Many vegetables can be left where they are grown until mid-November and then harvested and placed in storage.

Root crops (beets, carrots, parsnips, potatoes and turnips) can be left in the ground until there is a danger of the soil freezing. Soil can be piled in hills over the shoulders of carrots and beets to protect from freezing. Straw or soil piled over the row serves as insulation and protects plants for even longer.

When harvesting root crops for storage, remove dirt and cut off the tops. Root crops should not be washed if they are to be stored for extended periods.

Start with the Best
The preserved vegetable will be only as good as the fresh product. Store produce that is mature, free from bruises, cracks and insect and disease damage.

Vegetables that mature in the later summer and fall will store best for longer periods.

Harvest vegetables for storage during the coolest part of the day when they contain less heat.

Temperature and moisture (humidity) are the most important factors for good storage. The requirements vary for each vegetable. Avoid warm temperatures as they promote rot. Moisture should not collect on vegetables in storage.

It's the Pits
Outdoor Pit
For storing vegetables a barrel, drainage tile or garbage can may be buried upright with 4 inches of the top above ground.

The container should be located in a well-drained area. Make a ditch so the surface water will be diverted and not run into the container.

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Use the lid for the garbage can. A wooden lid can be made for the drainage tile or barrel. Cover the lid with 6 inches to 1 foot of straw, grass clippings or sawdust and put an old rug or a canvas or plastic cover over this.

Storage Mound

A storage mound may be used where ground water is a problem. It also is useful for a short storage period under mild temperatures.

Pile vegetables on a layer of straw on top of the ground. Cover the vegetables with a layer of straw held in place by a layer of soil.

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One to 2 bushels of vegetables may be used for the mound. When the mound is opened, all of the vegetables should be removed for use.

Cool Basement

An unheated, well-ventilated basement can be used for storing some vegetables.

Crops may be kept in bins or on shelves for storage. Moist sand, wet burlap bags and layers of wet sphagnum moss will help to add moisture.

Watch It
If food starts to rot during storage, remove it. Use vegetables that show signs of shriveling or growth. Vegetables do not stay fresh for long after storage so use promptly. Remember to keep the storage area clean.
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Re: Root Cellars-Homemade Versions

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Pallet Root Cellars

Epicenter

Emergency food storage: The Pallet Root Cellar.
http://www.theepicenter.com/tow1102.html

By Author and survival expert, Ted Wright!

Construction of the Pallet Root Cellar is very simple and can be made and put into use in a weekend. Here's how:

* Collect six pallets from outside stores and garbage pick up points or the local furniture movers.
* Measure your pallets (usually 4'x4') and dig a hole several inches bigger all round than the pallets. Be sure to allow enough depth for the top pallet to be below ground by 6" when it is put on. ---- CONTINUED with FULL INSTRUCTIONS at LINK, above ---
Last edited by Readymom on Fri May 08, 2020 3:58 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: Root Cellars-Homemade Versions

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Imagetigger2 @ American Preppers Network!

Use Old Deep Freezer or Refrigerator to Make Root Cellars

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How to Make a Deep-Freeze Root Cellar

http://www.ehow.com/how_5806_make-deep-freeze.html

No way to store some of your extra vegetables for winter? Then turn an old refrigerator or deep freeze into a root cellar.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

Things You'll Need:
  • Straws Bales
    Clear Plastic Sheeting
    Plastic Sheeting
    Shovels
    Old Deep-freeze Or Refrigerator
    Shovels
Step 1
Remove motor, shelves and lock from door (so no child can get locked inside).

Step 2
Dig a hole large enough to hold the deep freeze where the top of the freezer is ground level or slightly below ground level.

Step 3
Place some rocks in bottom of the hole for drainage.

Step 4
Place the freezer into hole on its back. The door will open like a lid.

Step 5
Fill around freezer with soil

Step 6
Place vegetables in freezer. Follow storage guidelines for vegetables just as if you were using a cellar.

Step 7
Cover freezer with a sheet of plastic to keep water from freezing the lid shut.

Step 8
Place bags of leaves or bales of hay or straw on top of the freezer to help with cold weather.


Tips & Warnings

* Apples, potatoes, beets, carrots, turnips, celeriac, kohlrabi and rutabagas work well in this type of storage.
* You may need to add a small vent pipe from the freezer to the outside to let in fresh air.
Last edited by Readymom on Fri May 08, 2020 4:01 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Food Storage-Under Ground Solutions aka 'Root Cellars'

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What Foods Can You Bury Underground For Winter?
http://www.askaprepper.com/what-foods-can-you-bury-underground-for-winter/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=AAP

Are you familiar with the term “starving spring”? How about “the hungry gap”? Well, these were two terms that represented the struggles of the average person, pre-convenience foods, to store enough food to sustain themselves and their families.

Winter would come to an end, but there would not be a crop to harvest for months yet. Animals would be sparse, and it would be a few weeks or more before anything would be ready to hunt or eat. This issue was exacerbated by the fact that spring is a time of hard work for those who settle on the land.

Spring is a time for tilling and planting. This means there is an increase in caloric needs. Without an increased calorie consumption, we are quickly faced with an issue. Thus, the above-mentioned names.

Without having adequate provisions stored you would starve to death. Such was the case in Jamestown in the winter of 1609 to 1610, where 500 settlers dwindled to a mere 60 through starvation. These survivors jumped on a ship and headed for the Chesapeake Bay where another supply ship was set to arrive.

So, what did people bury underground to try and stave off the starving spring. ---CONTINUED---
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Re: Root Cellars-Homemade Versions

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How To Make A Mini Root Cellar In Your Backyard In Less Than Two Hours
http://www.askaprepper.com/how-to-make-a-mini-root-cellar-in-your-backyard-in-less-than-two-hours/

Once upon a time, root cellars were the only way people had to preserve their food. These wonderful cold-storage areas became less common when refrigerators became affordable. Houses were no longer automatically built with a root cellar beneath them or nearby.

A root cellar is still a great way to store fruits and vegetables though, especially when you need to store more than you have room for indoors. They will also keep fruit and vegetables fresh without electricity. If your house doesn’t have one you can still take advantage of “nature’s ice box.” All it takes is a shovel, a little elbow grease, and a barrel.

Building your own modern mini root cellar will only take a few hours. You will need the following: ---CONTINUED---
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Cold Storage Rooms

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How to Build a Cold Storage Room
https://www.thereadystore.com/featured/17505/how-to-build-a-cold-storage-room/

Now, that you've got a stockpile of food and gear for an emergency you might be wondering where you're going to put all of it. Building a cold storage room in your basement or spare room is a great idea to keep everything organized. This will free up cupboard space in your kitchen. Keeping food in a cool dark space will lengthen its shelf life. A cold storage room could also double as a storm shelter in the event of an emergency. ---CONTiNUED---
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Re: Food Storage-Under Ground Solutions

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Root Cellaring Basics:
https://www.backdoorsurvival.com/root-cellaring-basics-extending-the-season-without-canning/

Root cellars have long been used to extend the harvest. There is so much you can do to make veggies last longer no matter what space you have to utilize. The key is finding the cooler and more temperature stable areas of your home. You don’t have to get out the shovel and dig and an old-fashioned root cellar to use some of the techniques.

My basement is not a place I go often. We have a small house with a craw space style basement except for in the front there is a space that is 6 feet tall. This year, however, we started using it for some root vegetable storage. ---CONTINUED---
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Re: Food Storage-Under Ground Solutions aka 'Root Cellars'

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Above Ground Root Cellars – Enjoy Your Local Produce Longer
https://commonsensehome.com/above-ground-root-cellars/

Post a reply Above-ground-root-cellars Over the years I've received many inquires about what above ground root cellar type options might be available for people in cold and warm climates. For those in warm climates – sorry, the physics are not in your favor, unless you have a spring house, but this post will give you some ideas to keep homegrown food on the table year round. For those in cold climates – there are a number of above ground options that may help you store your harvest without processing for at least part of the non-growing season. We'll cover those, too. First, let's talk root cellar physics. (Don't worry, I've got a minor in physics to go with my math degree – I'll get you through this.) ---CONTINUED---

Includes:
Root Cellar Physics
Above Ground Food Storage Options for Cold Climates
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Re: Food Storage-Under Ground Solutions aka 'Root Cellars'

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Root Cellars 101- Root Cellar Design, Use and Mistakes to Avoid
https://commonsensehome.com/root-cellars-101/

In this article we'll talk about 5 things you must include in a root cellar design, plus 10 tips for fruit and vegetable storage. There's also a printable storage guide for over 30 fruits and veggies, and jump links to additional information at the bottom of the post.

A root cellar is a great low-cost way to store food – not just root vegetables, but other fresh produce, too. They require 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. ---CONTINUED---

Included:
What is a root cellar?
Building a Root Cellar
Types of Root Cellars and Natural Cold Storage Options
10 Tips for Fruit and Vegetable Storage in a Root Cellar
Fruit and Vegetable Storage Chart
Root Cellar Location – In the Basement or Buried Outside?
Retrofitting a Root Cellar in an Existing Home
Adding a Root Cellar in a New Home
Building a Root Cellar Outside the Home
Traditional Root Cellar
Earth Berm Root Cellar
Barrel in the ground A (approximately Zones 6-9)
Barrel in the ground B (approximately Zones 3-6)
Root Cellar Ventilation
Ethylene Gas
Root Cellar Lighting
Root Cellar Humidity – Keep Things Moist But Not Wet
Root Cellar Shelving
Recommended Root Cellar Books
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Re: Root Cellars-Homemade Versions

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AskAPrepper has updated their Trash Can Root Cellar Instructional (We're keeping both versions):

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How To Make A Mini Root Cellar In Your Backyard In Less Than Two Hours
https://www.askaprepper.com/make-mini-root-cellar-backyard-10-one-hour/

A root cellar is still a great way to store fruits and vegetables, though, especially when you need to store more than you have room for indoors. They will also keep the fruits and vegetables fresh without electricity. If your house doesn’t have one, you can still take advantage of nature’s “ice box.” All it takes is a shovel, a little elbow grease and a trash can. ---CONTINUED---
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Re: Root Cellars-Homemade Versions

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How To Build A Root Cellar In Your Backyard (A cinderblock version)
https://www.askaprepper.com/build-root-cellar-backyard/

We decided that our little farm needed a root cellar to store our produce in. For those unfamiliar with the term, a root cellar is an underground room that acts like a natural refrigerator, maintaining temperatures in the mid 30’s F in the winter and mid 50’s in the summer.

#Step One:

Dig a hole in the ground. We are fortunate to have a local gravedigger who is a real artist with a backhoe. He can carve a hole with straight sides almost within an inch of what you ask for. ---CONTINUED---
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Re: Food Storage-Under Ground Solutions aka 'Root Cellars'

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How To Keep Produce Fresh Underground During the Winter
https://www.thereadystore.com/diy/2282/storing-food-underground-for-the-winter/

Winter is coming and it’s that time of year where you can start reaping the fruits (or veggies!) of your labor. There are a couple of different methods to ensure your produce stays crisp, fresh, and unspoiled. Today, we will be discussing what options you have as a homesteader to keep your produce fresh during the cold months.

When deciding what produce to store during the winter, keep in mind that biennials (plants that flower and set seed during their second growing season) are the most reliable. This means vegetables like Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, kohlrabi and onions to name a few. Whatever you choose to store, it’s very important that you prep the produce before storing. ---CONTINUED---
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Re: Food Storage-Under Ground Solutions aka 'Root Cellars'

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Storing Your Harvest Without a Root Cellar
https://www.almanac.com/news/gardening/garden-journal/storing-harvest-without-root-cellar#

Now that you have grown and harvested some beautiful winter-keeping vegetables, how are you going to store them? Not everyone has access to a root cellar. Here are other ways to store your harvest! ---CONTINUED---
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Re: Food Storage-Under Ground Solutions aka 'Root Cellars'

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No Refrigerator – No Problem!
https://theprovidentprepper.org/no_refrigerator_no_problem/

I read a story written by a seasoned friend of mine, Kathleen Kay, which intrigued me. It was entitled, “Grandma’s Ways.” She writes:

“Have you ever wondered how Grandma ever functioned without electricity? … Let’s start with root cellars. We had one out on the ranch. It had been dug down into the ground about 7 or 8 feet. The sides were reinforced with cement. It wasn’t the fine quality we have today, oh no! There were all these chunks of rock sticking out of it. Gravel wasn’t crushed in those days. ---CONTINUED---
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Re: Food Storage-Under Ground Solutions aka 'Root Cellars'

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lifehacker

Turn a Dead Chest Freezer Into a Miniature Root Cellar
https://lifehacker.com/turn-a-dead-chest-freezer-into-a-miniature-root-cellar-5936047

If you're a gardener you know that storing your home-grown veggies and fruits is the step that lets you enjoy your produce even in Winter. Freezing is a great way to eat fresh veggies all year but even if your freezer dies you can bury it and use it as a miniature root cellar. ---CONTINUED---
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Re: Food Storage-'Root Cellars'-Underground Storage

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Hat Tip: Image to Rick1, over at EHP-D

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13 Root Cellar Alternatives
https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2015/10/root-cellar-alternatives.html

(SNIP) ... I don’t have a root cellar yet (I know– some of you suggested we build one onto the new house, but we weren’t quite ready to deal with the logistics/code issues that arise from having a exposed earth room attached to a finished basement…), so I decided to research root cellar alternatives this year.

Turns out, there are plenty of ways to store your lovely garden harvest without a root cellar. Here’s a list to get your wheels turning ---CONTINUED---
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Re: Food Storage-'Root Cellars'-Underground Storage

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Hat Tip: Image to 'Violet', over at EHP-D:

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Trash Can Root Cellar: Why, How To Use, Food Storage
https://earthineer.com/self-sufficiency/trash-can-root-cellar/

(SNIP) ... Trash can root cellars help prevent spoilage of the food and slows or stops the growth from potatoes, onions, and more.

Since they can be super valuable, we’ve created a guide on how you can get started and what steps you should take once you’ve installed one! ---CONTINUED---
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