Saturday, November 24, 2012

"Cool, Cheap, Mini Root Cellars" and Memories of Dad!

  I saw this yesterday and just had to share it with you all! It reminded me of how my dad used an old "Chest Freezer" one time to store root veggies in. He barred it in the ground right up tho the edge of the door, so you could get into the mini root cellar with easy access! Now granted we had an an old conventional root cellar, about 15x20 in size with a room over top of it, but dad never through anything away and usually found a use for it, one day! There are many ways you can make a mini "Root Cellar", as long as you keep the veggies dry and cool. We could probably do a whole series on mini root cellars but we won't. This is just to stir the thinking of the "Urban Gardener" that can not build a conventional cellar or even have the room to build one!
  Well here is what reminded me of the Ol' Root Cellar and of my Dad, "Mother Earth News".


Other Examples "Mini Root Cellars" are:
1) Use a larger trash Can with lid
2) Cut the top of a plastic 55 gallon drum off
3) Plastic storage containers

If you would like to Build a larger "Root Cellar" Here a a few good How-To links!
1) How to Build a Root Cellar
2) A Basement Root Cellar
3) Tips on Building a Root Cellar

VEGGIES AND APPROXIMATE STORAGE TIMES:
You want to maintain temperatures at 32° to 40° F (0 to 4 C)
Cabbage.......3-4 months
Brussels Sprouts.....3-5 weeks
Jerusalem Artichokes..1-2 months
Carrots........4-6 months
Chinese Cabbage...1-2 months
Eggplant........1-2 weeks
Parsnips........1-2 months
Rutabagas......2-4 months
Squash........4-6months
Radishes........2-3 months
Tomatoes.......1-2 months
Cauliflower......2-4 weeks
Broccoli.........1-2 weeks
Beets........4-5 months
Pumpkins......5-6 months
Potatoes.........4-6 months
Turnips.......4-6 months
Although the above storage times are approximate, check periodically for spoilage.

  Well I hope you get inspired and inventive? If you have any other ideas for any type of root cellar, mini or conventional, please share with us! 




Proverbs 12:3 "A man is not established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous cannot be moved."

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34 comments:

  1. I like the idea of the old freezer. Would keep critters out well I think.
    Wish I had that much produce to need one!

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  2. I've been wanting to try this for a while now. Such a cool idea.

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  3. Great ideas! Thanks for linking this up at Our Simple Farm!

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  4. I had no idea a root cellar could be so easy!
    But come to think of it...the old couple next door to us when I was a kid had an old refrigerator buried partially in the ground and had bales of hay stacked around it and ...well, I think they had a worm farm in their's but she would throw them out in the garden!
    They did lots of 'weird' things like that...but had a beautiful garden. I should have paid closer attention.
    I'm going to read the links to learn more.

    I wish I had 55 gallons worth of produce to bury! That would be awesomely ridiculous! (in a good way)

    HAPPY THANKSGIVING! -Pat

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    1. I have heard of people using them for warm farms as well! My dad saved and used everything he could, lol! He was kinda wired as well, lol!

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  5. I want to create our own root cellar - thank you for sharing!!! Great ideas!

    Found you through Deep Roots at Home, visiting from teachthemtruth.blogspot.com

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  6. Thanks for these great ideas. We're struggling to find ways to do root cellaring here in central FL because of the high underground temp and the high water levels. If anyone has ideas for us we'd love to hear them!

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    1. I lived in Sarasota for 2 years and if I remember right, we saw a cellar built above ground with the dirt pushed up around it to make a mound of sorts.I think it was up in the northern part of the state. You could do that or make one in your house and just control the temp and humidity. Good luck to yah!

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  7. This is a great idea Clint... Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours...
    Blessings!

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  8. I can't wait to share this with my husband. Thank you for linking to the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. xo

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    1. You are so welcome! I bet you keep him very busy?

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  9. We would LOVE to have a real root cellar. We bought a book and read and read in it, but we can't come up with a great spot for it and we have no bsmt. I'm glad you shared this on the Link-up...very practical help! Thanks!

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  10. I like the freezer idea - we have an old freezer that we are currently using but wonder if it is taking mroe than it's share of electricity. It might do us more good If I made it into a root cellar. I had thought earlier of the possibility of burying a washer or dryer for that purpose.

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    1. I would think anything to bury and keep things cool and dry would work!

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  11. I have got to try a do a mini root cellar. I had thought about it this year but we had no idea where to start. I even looked up plans for making a root cellar. Now I can make a small one with a trash can and see how it goes. Thanks for sharing. stopping by from Rural Thursday.

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    1. This will be a start and before you know it you will have a big one!

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  12. Fantastic ideas your Dad was very wise with the freezer. I have one in my basement wondering what to do with it. I think I may hold on to it and hopefully no drought next year and I will have a garden and plenty to put in it.
    Great post. B

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    1. He was a great man! We have all been praying here for your alls drought and that you will get much needed rain!

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  13. This is a really interesting concept! Thanks for sharing this information, Clint. Hope all is well with you.

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    1. All is well Beth! We have been extra busy but blessed at the same time!

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  14. never heard of this before...great idea! thanks for linking in this week!!! I hope you will again soon!
    I have shared this post on the tootsie time facebook page!

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  15. A temperature range requirement should go with it, i think. Definitely that volume will not work in high temperatures like in the tropics, LOL.

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    1. You are probably right. You want to maintain temperatures at 32° to 40° F (0 to 4 C)

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  16. What a great idea. The ground has already frozen solid here in Northern New England, but I think this is a perfect DIY project for the Spring! Thanks for sharing!

    Sonja Twombly of Lally Broch Farm
    http://lallybrochfarms.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thank you for stopping in! I will hop over to your blog! Please stop in and comment often! This is a place where we all share and teach each other!

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  17. oh wow, can't believe how long some veggies will last in there. clever idea :)

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  18. We use our old freezer to store potatoes in. We replaced the lid with sack cloth and drilled holes in the bottom to allow fresh air (otherwise the potatoes will rot). It holds enough for us to eat from one harvest to the next.

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