O/T: Building a root cellar

tjdub · Apr 3, 2009

I'm considering making an outdoor root cellar primarily for storing potatoes. Potatoes don't cost much, so the only way it's going to happen is if I can do it on the cheap. I've heard of people burying new concrete septic tanks that were damaged in curing or transport, but I just can't figure out a cheap way to do that. I've also heard about using large culverts, but I have my doubts about finding those cheap.

My dad has a mini-excavator and I have a loader on my JD 2950 (tractor related post now). I do not want to hire any work done.

Has anyone done something similar? Any other ideas?

just another old geezer · Apr 3, 2009

while traveling through nebraska I saw a few small storm cellars made from large old plastic tamks. and one made out of an old school bus.

greenbeanman in Kansas · Apr 3, 2009

I don't know your location and how cold it gets, but some folk bury an old non-working freezer to store their produce in. I suppose they cover the door with straw bales or something else to provide some insulation.

I've also read of barrels being placed in the ground on an angle with access through a cover. Sure wouldn't be as rodent secure as a freezer.

The one on our homestead was simply earthen walls (heavy clay once below topsoil) with steps and a slant door at one end. Of course a roof over it that was wide enough to keep water away from the walls. The roof was rafters fastened with ridge pole, decking over them, builders felt and then soil covering it for insulation. Bottom line---expense would be for steps, door, and roof. It was in western Kansas where there was no shallow ground water to contend with and low rainfall didn't rust or rot everything within a short while.
Root cellar plans.

Anonymous-0 · Apr 3, 2009

Every "old culvert" tubes (metal) I've seen used as a root cellar has caved in. Once you bury the ends, without support, they don't last long.

tjdub · Apr 3, 2009

Hadn't thought of using a freezer/fridge. That would sure simplify things. However, I'm in Minnesota, so I have a deep frost to deal with. I'm not sure if i could get away with doing this since I would probably have to bury it so deep that I would need support walls for the hole that it's in anyway.

Bret4207 · Apr 3, 2009

There's a book, probably avaialble used, called "Root Cellaring" or something like that by Mike and Nancy Buell IIRC. Lots of suggestions and plans. I want to build a good big one, but location is the issue. Seems like every hill I could use faces southwest.

JDemaris · Apr 3, 2009

We've got two root cellars here. Do your homework. Proper temp, ventilation, and humidity are essential. And, it all differs depending on what type of produce you want to store.

GA Dave · Apr 3, 2009

These are big potato storage buildings but you can scale them down. David................

http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/abeng/cropsplans.htm

Anonymous-0 · Apr 3, 2009

our old root celler was just a shored up hole in the ground.purty high class though,we did have rail road cross ties for steps!probably be too wet where you are though.it served for alot of years.finally dug the top up and filled it in.

tractormarkb · Apr 4, 2009

I made one out of an old freezer and the frost or the weight of the dirt made the freezer cockeyed. the door does'nt shut anymore.

O/T: Building a root cellar

tjdub

Member

just another old geezer

Member

greenbeanman in Kansas

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

tjdub

Member

Bret4207

Well-known Member

JDemaris

Well-known Member

GA Dave

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

tractormarkb

Member